Biography Wikipedia
Wikipedia:
Tesla Boy is a Russian synthpop / new wave band formed by Anton Sevidov, Dima Midborn and Poko Cox in late 2008.
History
The band's name is taken from the title of a song written by Anton and Dima during the beginning of their collaboration about a boy who could conduct electricity but could not control it and hurt those who came too near him. The idea was inspired by the apartment in which Anton lived for most of his life which was above a huge electrical transformer that made him constantly feel the presence of electricity.
The band started by recording a five-track demo entitled "The Tesla Boy", distributing it amongst friends and on the internet. It was later published under the title "The Tesla Boy EP." The promo CD features full artwork by DW Design studios. Bloggers took note of the demo, describing the band's music as "some of the most exciting electronic music of the year", "the best thing to come from Russia since vodka" and "the finest pop group in the world today". The band were quickly booked for sold-out concerts in many major Soviet cities and headlined three major Russian music festivals: Afisha, Stereoleto and MIGZ. In July 2010, they played the Elektrana stage at Serbia's EXIT Festival.
Since August 2009, the band has been signed to the British label Mullet Records. The label released the aforementioned demo "The Tesla Boy EP" along with a "The Tesla Boy" remix EP, and the band's debut LP "Modern Thrills" in May 2010, which was followed by the three singles "Electric Lady, "Thinking Of You" and "Liberating Soul". The debut album is the band's first official physical release on CD, with the cover design contributed by the New York City-based design studio Mogollon.
In 2010, Tesla Boy collaborated in a live-only project with Poko Cox for many live performances, which included some of Poko's tracks. Their first live performance together was in Kiev, Ukraine, followed by shows in the country.
Their songs "Fire," "Electric Lady" and "It's Not Loving" have been in heavy rotation at Radio Maximum since 2009, as well as the track Spirit of the Night starting in 2010. "Electric Lady" and "Fire" entered Radio Maximum's 2009 Top 100. The music video for "Electric Lady" has been featured on Muz-TV Russia since 2010. "Electric Lady" was featured on the Nu Disco compilation released by Hed Kandi Records, and an extended mix of the song was featured on the A Blues From The Gutter compilation mixed by Blackstrobe.
The band has remixed tracks by Anoraak, Manicure, Sally Shapiro and Alla Pugacheva.
All music and lyrics are written by the band members; all stylistic decisions, regarding the concept, the direction of music and production, are made by the band.
Members
Anton Sevidov
Anton is the vocalist, keyboardist, and the principal writer of music. He is also in charge of sound production and contributes songwriting. He collects vintage analog synthesizers and uses them during live performances and music production. One of his favourite synthesizers is the Roland JUNO-60, which has been also used by popular New Wave acts such as The Cure, Depeche Mode and Eurythmics.
Anton's music career began in his childhood. He was featured on the popular Russian television programme, "Morning Star", and performed as a teenager on the show "Russian Talents". He was awarded with the grand prize at the international music festival "Crystal Note". Later, he worked with Chris Corner from IAMX and Sue Denim of Robots in Disguise for his project Neonavt. During the mid-2000s, he became an in-demand producer, working on tracks by artists such as Brazzavile, Esthetic Education, Bi-2 and Punk TV. Anton also composed music for various fashion shows, theatrical productions, and films. Anton has a partially completed degree in jazz piano from studying with Michael Okun at State Musical College Named After Gnessins (now State Music College of Jazz and Pop).
Dima Midborn
Dima is the bassist and provides backing vocals. He contributes in writing the music and is the main songwriter.
He was in the bands Banana Princess from 2004 to 2007, and Big City Bastards during 2007 to 2008.
Dima went to music school and graduated from a university with a degree in linguistics.
Poko Cox
Poko Cox provides prominent backing vocals and plays guitar for live shows.
Boris Lifschits
Boris was the drummer. He has a partially completed degree in drums from State Musical College Named After Gnessins (now State Music College of Jazz and Pop).
He was in bands with Nike Borzov (2002–2005), Neonavt (2001–2003), Zemfira (2005–2006), Lakmus (2006–2009) and "Art Ceilidh" (2002–2007). In 2003, he played a single gig with Damo Suzuki, and in 2009, he participated in two live shows with Rubies (US). Currently, he is in the following bands: Bi-2 (since 2006), Zvonok Hip Rock (since 2009), also collaborates with Big Black Boots (since 2003). In 2010 Boris has left the band.
DJ Projects
The band members Anton Sevidov and Dima Midborn perform as DJs under the names Antonionni and Midborn, respectively. Their friend and Tesla Boy's manager, Denis Pomortsev, is also known as DJ Futures.Released mixtapes: July 2009 - Tesla Boy Mixtape №1 (by Antonionni ); January 2010 - Don't Be Afraid Of New Music Vol. 1 (by Futures); March 2010 - Tesla Boy Mixtape №2 (by Midborn). In February 2010 the Follow Me studio recorded and later demonstrated the Anton Sevidov's mix-tape "Dj Antonionni @ Follow Me Studio"
Press coverage
Publications: Cosmopolitan (RU), Citizen K (RU), L`OFFICIEL (RU), GQ (RU), HARPER`S BAZAAR (RU), In Style (RU), Афиша (RU), Time Out Moscow (RU), Billboard (RU), Собака.RU (RU), Black Square (RU), Rolling Stone (RU), Q (UK), Metrolife (UK).Online publications and blogs: Russia.ru (RU), Lookatme.ru (RU), Сноб.ru (RU), Gay.ru (RU), Raketa 4000 (RU), Fuzz.ru (RU), Zvuki.ru (RU), 41000Hz (RU), Relax (BY), KYKY (BY), The Music Fix (UK), Valerie (FR), Discodust (DE), Prefixmag (US), Pop Justice (UK), Obscure Sound (US), Soopure (USA), Binary (US), French Express (FR).Radio: Maximum (RU), BBC RADIO1 (UK).TV: MTV (RU), Muz-Tv (RU), Дождь (RU).