Yaroslav Maly: As soon as we start to take some things seriously, we have a huge number of problems. Yaroslav Maly is divorcing Natalia Simakova Group Tokyo Yaroslav Maly

The host of the #Selection on Jam FM chart Alexander Stasov talked with Yaroslav about his plans and projects, about life priorities and about the attitude to events that cannot be influenced.

- Is it true that in 2016 Yaroslav Maly will practically disappear from the radar of music lovers?

Yes, we are going on a big vacation for almost a year. During this period we will not give concerts. Only selectively, pointwise and very little. Because we're going to be doing Havakkuk, recording, and basically, that's all we're focusing on right now.

- After moving from Moscow to Kyiv, did a reclusive lifestyle begin?

I do not sit in a vacuum or in a void. From the moment we supported Ukraine and moved to Kyiv, we gave concerts by the Machete group, also very selectively, there were several of them. And basically we were working on our new project, which is called Havakkuk. We have worked in Europe and

Israel over this music, and now we continue. In general, we were concentrated on this project. We do not lead a reclusive lifestyle, we just decided that we do not hang out anywhere and do not spend time just to light up somewhere. Not interested. We each have our own duty. I, as a musician and poet, have a duty to express my thoughts, feelings about what is happening in my life - in my songs, so I spend a huge amount of time on this. I have a beloved family, and I devote more time to my family than to being in companies that are not interesting to me.

- What is the fate of the album War and Peace of Machete? Its release was announced for the fall of 2015. ?

We plan to start recording this album. We're partly writing it in Ukraine because it just so happened that we finished the EP somewhere around three or four months ago. We will again finish a few more tracks that we have in Ukraine, maybe in Israel or partially in Belgium, we'll see. I think that the main part of this work will be recorded in Ukraine.

- You can explain the differences between the Tokyo, Machete and Havakkuk projects for those who do not find them.

First of all, if we talk about the projects of Tokyo, Machete and Havakkuk, then, probably, in them one can trace the personal or spiritual growth of the person who writes these songs. This is me talking about myself. I can say that if we are talking about the spiritual component of all these three projects, then, of course, this is love, its various expressions, manifestations in this world. As far as how we distinguish which track is on which album and which group it belongs to, it's about the musical component. Havakkuk is a completely different music, symphonic musicians, brilliant musicians, world stars take part in the project, so the music is qualitatively different. This is the lyrics

About the relationship between people, between a person and the Almighty, about what a person should do in this world, being here for such a short period of time, what we can influence, what we can change, what is in our power and what is not.

If we talk about Tokyo, this is still a more electronic component. This is lyrics, the relationship between a man and a woman, love and all kinds of manifestations in this particular hypostasis.

If we talk about Machete - almost live music, with a social focus in the songs.

- Over the past two years, Yaroslav Maly has changed outwardly. Fans in social networks complain that they can’t immediately recognize the “blue-eyed rebel”.

Firstly, I have never been blue-eyed, and secondly, I have never been a rebel. Maybe it wasn't me.

I was not a rebel. I was always looking for some way out of those questions that have been ripening inside me all my life. The answers that I received from people, even those I respected, did not always suit me. That's why I've always found my way. And it can be clearly seen in my songs. As for whether someone recognized me or didn't recognize me, people change. The inner world corresponds to the outer. That is why I am now studying Torah, learning Hebrew, devoting my time not to fashion and self-care, but to things that are more subtle and more beautiful for me. Therefore, I think that I still look cool.

Was the decision to go to the Maidan in the fall of 2013 difficult?

I just thought that I should support my Motherland and that's it. Otherwise, he couldn't do it. My wife Rachel and I flew from Israel, learned about the events that are taking place in Ukraine and flew to Moscow, gathered the guys and immediately flew to Kyiv on the next flight. We called our friends, they gave us the opportunity to land normally, calmly and go to the Maidan. And we gave a concert there.

- After almost three years, there is no disappointment in the Euromaidan?

I now understand that what is happening now cannot be fixed in any way, neither by the desire to monitor the information space, nor simply by the desire for something to change. This can only be corrected by turning to the Almighty. Because where Ukraine is moving now compared to where it could move at the beginning of all these events, these are two different routes, in my opinion. It must be understood that we are now in such circumstances when neither Europe, nor America, nor other countries will help us; or the desire to look more powerful, militarized - all this is not real. And the only thing that can help us is an appeal to the Almighty, with a real request that he help us.

You know, parents always punish their beloved children. If he moves in the wrong direction, then it's just that sometimes you can get in the ass. The same thing is happening with Ukraine. Right now we are getting hit on the head, on the ass, in all other places. We need to understand that as soon as our desire to simply take these blows ends, and the desire to really think about the reasons for this happened, we all need to turn to God, apologize for what

that we did something wrong and ask for help. Then everything will be tip-top. It's like in a person's life, it's a mini-society, like a family, just like a country - if something goes wrong, then you need to find out the spiritual reasons first of all. I am sure that the physics of the manifestation of some circumstances is like twigs, and the root is in another. You need to think, understand what has been done wrong, what needs to be corrected, in which direction you need to move. More often you need to look at the sky, and not at your feet. And to think about what really was done wrong by us, my opinion is. There is no other way out, because some people change, for others the situation only worsens. Everyone is focused on disrupting financial preferences for themselves, for their clans and moving further in this direction. And no one is interested in the country moving forward and moving forward.

- Being one of the opinion leaders, is it possible to broadcast your ideas and influence the situation?

We are broadcasting. It's just that our influence is not in the realm of the physical world. Nothing can be done here if you do not pay attention to the spiritual component, I am 100% sure of this, we talk about it in our songs.

- Changes for the better are possible if they first of all start with yourself?

I dream that people, this world and everything that happens to us, thanks to some simple things, will change in better side. And it's actually really simple things. We are constantly inventing something for ourselves, trying to find some excuses, for some little things to divert attention from serious, big problems that are actually solved very simply. And here is my desire, my dream - a simple understanding of complex things, so that each of us has it inside, so that we understand that we are here for a reason, not to eat pasta or watch some kind of program on TV or write comments in social networks, and we are here to really change this world for the better. In order to find our Daddy in this world, who loves us very much. It's very simple. Without taking this into account, it is impossible to change anything. I am sure about that. That's my dream - for people to understand this. And I understand that each of us has a duty in this life and we can only do something, and whether it works out or not is the business of the Almighty. That's my opinion is that everyone should do something in the direction of this. Everything else is bullshit.

- What causes a smile on the face of Yaroslav Maly during the war?

I smile because such a frivolous person is given such a serious task. I'm in terms of the fact that I have always perceived this world somehow easily. And I was just lucky because my wife also always supported me in this. And as soon as we start to take some things seriously, we have a huge number of problems. As soon as we think that something depends on us, we immediately find ourselves in some circumstances, from which we can hardly get out. Lightness is in each of us. Why do you sometimes look at a child, at his reaction and get high on how easy it is for him to express the most difficult things in two or three words and for everyone it turns into a huge smile, for everyone who sees it. We lack this. And in this there is a huge humor of the Almighty, which gives each of us the feeling that he can change something and at the same time - the feeling of who we are without him at all.

- Are there any successes in self-improvement?

In my work on myself, I did not succeed in anything. Only that I found a wife who helps me work on myself.

At Beit Shabbat in Holon:
Exclusive concert of the leader of the Tokyo / Machete group Yaroslav Maly in Israel, in a club format. Featuring Moishe Jankowski. Acoustic set, new songs, the possibility of personal communication with the musician. May 25 at 20:00.
Then we all go together to celebrate Lag Baomer on Meron.
Reservation of places by tel. 0526940770
https://www.facebook.com/events/863286387151561/

Nine am. Small cafe in the center of Kyiv. The entrance is well camouflaged. Establishment "for their own". At the table, a man and a woman drink Americano coffee from the same cup. They could order a second one, but they like to share everything for two. The waitress asks if the guests will have breakfast, she is answered: "Yes, everything is as usual for us." Once every 10-15 minutes, one of the visitors comes up to their table and greets them in a friendly way. These two have already become "friends" in the Ukrainian capital, although they moved less than a year ago. The man's name is Yaroslav Maly, he is known to music lovers as the frontman of the Tokyo group and the creator musical project"Machete". Movie fans - as the author of soundtracks for the films of Fyodor Bondarchuk "9th Company" and "Inhabited Island". Gamers - as the author of the music for the game Need for Speed ​​Shift. The woman sitting next to him is his wife and part-time director of Rachel Ora.

Get out of Moscow

Until recently, they were prominent figures in Russian show business- one of those who can afford to start something grandiose, without lacking money and support from the authorities. What is worth only international festival alternative music Red Rocks, founded by Yaroslav and his company Machete Records. He not only gathered celebrities like Brainstorm and Okean Elzy and invited world stars of the level of the British Morcheeba, he sent them to a remote province where most people did not even know what alternative sound was: to Kemerovo, Barnaul, Ulan-Ude, Chelyabinsk etc. In a word, he systematically raised the level of musical literacy in the vastness of the federation, and reputable financial institutions, such as the Savings Bank of Russia, gave money for this. Dmitry Medvedev during his presidency personally patronized one of the events organized with light hand Yaroslav Maly.

It is impossible to be in Russia now. Thinking people are getting smaller. Many are leaving. The rest live in such severe information pressure that the brain does not have time to process the information in order to draw the right conclusions. People who used to communicate with me, their parents and spouses are watching TV, watching the news on the Web and believing that children are being crucified in the Donetsk region. They do not understand how I can live in Ukraine, and it is useless to explain it. Firstly, I am outraged by the lies pouring from television screens. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, I feel good here. He almost did not shine at secular gatherings, but he was constantly at the center of the discussion of the Moscow glamorous party. In the last year, the leader of “Tokyo” has been talked about especially a lot, and most often with bewilderment. He did something strange modern Russia act - he moved to Ukraine, moved his wife and four children to Kyiv, besides, he completely abandoned concert activity in RF. IN last time he was in Moscow three months ago and claims to have been counting the hours before departure.

"Blessed are You, Lord, who wishes to return"

Of the eighteen blessings of the Jewish prayer "Amida"

A year and a half ago, when buying an apartment in Kyiv, he did not yet know that he would call it home. Yaroslav simply liked the Ukrainian capital with its unhurried course of life, quiet streets of the old center and friendly residents. When the Maidan began, he also did not think about moving. I just saw on the Internet photos of students beaten by police officers and decided to support the protesters.

“We made the decision to march on the Maidan together,” Rachel’s wife joins in the conversation. “It was not yet about taking any position in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict, and we have not seen a conflict as such, we just wanted to express solidarity with people who are defending their rights. Many Moscow acquaintances did not understand us then, and they do not understand us now. Generally for Lately we have seen enough of how bonds between people are destroyed, friends disperse and families break up.

beautiful far away

On the Maidan, Yaroslav Maly experienced his own internal revolution. I was imbued with the atmosphere of the protest movement and dedicated many songs to it: "Fight", "Freedom and Love", "New Hero". These compositions sounded at a recent Kiev concert. The audience happily sang along: "The hero must return home", assuming that this is about the heroes of the Revolution of Dignity. Only people who knew Yaroslav personally understood that he put a double meaning into these lines. He sang not only about those whom he saw on the Maidan, but also about himself, about what begins in his life new stage- period of return.

Maly was born in Ukraine, but since childhood he knew that he would leave. I looked at the horizon line and imagined thousands of amazing places where I had to come, see and conquer. The small homeland - Krivoy Rog was cramped for an energetic boy who had grandiose dreams. He also "did not fit" in the music school. He was expelled from the third year. When Yaroslav's father asked the head teacher why his son was expelled, the answer was short and succinct: "For everything!" This did not upset the little junior at all, he was not going to waste time in boring classes and wanted to quickly plunge into the real adult life. The year was 1991, the Soviet Union was falling apart.

The old rules and foundations were losing their force, and the new ones had not yet emerged. Almost immediately after being expelled, Maly went to where, as he believed, one could take a sip of freedom and start his "big voyage" - to Moscow.

“I didn’t think about getting rich or achieving fame,” the musician recalls. “I just sailed away from the shore, not really knowing what would happen next.

As for what happened next, there are different versions. Most of the media describe Maly's success story as a male version of the Cinderella tale. A guy from the outback without money and connections, but with diligence and talent, came to conquer Belokamennaya. He was noticed, given a chance, and now he is already receiving the "Discovery of the Year" prize at the "Maksidrom-2003" festival, then the prestigious MTV Music Awards, albums released in hundreds of thousands of copies and music videos on YouTube, garnering over a million views in the first three days.
What remains behind the scenes is that Yaroslav arrived in Moscow at the age of eighteen, and organized the Tokyo group at twenty-eight. He speaks reluctantly about this decade, he only reports that he opened nightclubs. He does not share details and, apparently, not without reason, it was in the 1990s. The fact that from the age of sixteen he took drugs, journalists also, as a rule, do not mention. Although Maly himself does not hide this.

Return trip

In conversation, Yaroslav is stingy with stories about his biography. But it is easy to turn on when it comes to creativity, love, God, revolution. He frowns, clenches his fists and raises his voice, speaking of the Russian war. But when I try to find out how the real Moscow, which he arrived in, differed from the one he imagined, leaving Ukraine, he instantly moves away, the tone becomes indifferent, the phrases are stereotyped.

In the end, obviously wanting to close an unpleasant topic, he says in a tired voice:

— Well, as it usually happens... People unite around a common idea. They are moving somewhere together. You trust those whom you have chosen as fellow travelers, you think that you are on the same wavelength. And then one day you see that they have long changed direction for the sake of money or some other interests, and you have been walking with them all this time, going the wrong way.

Didn't like being rich and famous?

- Fame dealt blows to the psyche. You go to the pharmacy, and everyone looks at what medicines you buy. That way you can go crazy. I wanted to hide somewhere. Therefore, for some time the "Tokyo" group was not visible at all. Worst of all, we seemed to have achieved what we wanted, but the dream come true did not bring any joy.

- And did the return to Ukraine bring you joy?

“Before, I was always fighting for something, running somewhere. Now all the fights and races are over, I seem to live out of time. I manage to read, write music, communicate a lot with my family.

A boyish smile appears on my interlocutor's face.

“I’ve just grown wiser over the years, I’m already over forty, and this is largely thanks to my other half,” he turns to Rachel and takes her hand, “well, our beloved city, of course, matters.

It cannot be said that after the move, Maly had less work to do. He regularly gives concerts, updates the Tokyo repertoire, develops the Machete project, which has already officially become Ukrainian. A production center Machete is about to open in Kyiv. In addition, Yaroslav and Rachel are busy with a new English-language project HAVAKKUK. The first compositions have already been recorded - in Brussels. In addition to Yaroslav, six more musicians from different European countries are participating. One of them, Vlady Mind, first violinist of the Brussels Royal Orchestra, performs his parts on the legendary instruments Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesu.

- Now there are three groups instead of two, you work simultaneously in Ukraine and Belgium, but you claim that you have more free time?

Yaroslav smiles condescendingly and speaks with the intonation of a mentor:
— When you do exactly what God wants from you, the world bends under you, and time stretches and contracts exactly as you need.

Call me Moishe Pinchas

The musician spoke about God not by chance. Over the past few years, he has made not one, but two important returns: to Ukraine and to the faith of his ancestors. By origin, a Small Jew, and the name new group HAVAKKUK is associated with the name of the prophet Havakkuk (Abvakum in Orthodox sources). The name comes from the Hebrew word "hibuk" ("embrace") and literally means "the one who was hugged twice."

It is believed that he died shortly after birth and was resurrected with the help of the prophet Elisha. "Havakkuk" means that after the first embrace, maternal, there were the second - the embrace of the prophet. Some commentators on the Tanakh see this as a hint of a second chance - an opportunity to start life anew. The musician liked this idea. Maly was born into a family of Soviet Jews, grew up in a secular environment, he recently discovered the religious world and believes that from that moment his second life began.

The name Havakkuk is now carried not only by the group, but also by the youngest son of its leader. Yes, and he himself has recently been less and less represented by Yaroslav. In the middle of the conversation, my interlocutor suddenly announced that he had taken Jewish name Moishe Pinchas. Then he confessed that he had never actually been an atheist. Most of his songs are non-canonical prayers, desperate attempts to turn to God in their own words. Now Lesser addresses every day in the form prescribed by the Jewish prayer canon.

It is impossible to be in Russia now. Thinking people are getting smaller. Many are leaving. The rest live in severe information pressure

It started back in Moscow, when Yaroslav, out of curiosity, went into the local synagogue and saw two religious men emotionally discussing some issue from the Talmud.

— I understood almost nothing from their discussion, but I was struck by the very tone of the dialogue. They argued passionately, but without the slightest hostility, with love and respect for each other. No one humiliated anyone, did not try to assert themselves at the expense of the interlocutor. It seemed that even to prove their case was not the main thing for them, it was more important to get to the bottom of the truth. How different this debate was from any I've seen before. I even regretted that I could not participate. I wanted to read some Jewish books, and the more I read, the more clearly I understood: they contain something important for me.

Gradually he learned to pray; on Saturday and Jewish holidays does not use transport, electrical appliances, money and observes many other religious restrictions. He eats and drinks only what is allowed by the laws of kosher, which is why we met in a kosher cafe. Every day he allocates at least an hour in his busy schedule for studying the Torah. And at the same time, he claims that Judaism made him much freer.

Doesn't sound very plausible. As well as the fact that time is stretched and compressed at will. I might consider it a fantasy of a creative person. I could have suspected Yaroslav of posturing when he said that he did not regret at all the earnings he had lost by refusing to perform in Russia, and money and fame did not matter to him.

But here's the thing - as soon as Yaroslav talks about his two returns, that special smile appears on his face, which only a completely happy people. You certainly can't fake it.

Recently, the well-known Moscow group "Tokyo" came to visit us, headed by their leader and soloist Y. Maly. However, why Maly, when he is two meters tall? .. And why visit when Maly himself, almost every Monday and Thursday, visits the homeland of his ancestors. Rather, not a visit, but as a dacha ...

And why, as in the country? .. - a Krivoy Rog Jew named Yaroslav picks up the tone. - Like home! Actually, not even HOW to go home, but simply - home!

- And what do you perceive here as the most "home"?

This one ancient land and my proud people walking on it with their heads held high. What could be more beautiful - to wander somewhere for years, and then again be here, on your own land!

- Do you have a favorite place?.

Of course, Jerusalem! I dream of this city at night when I am away from it. I can't even convey the feelings that the spirit and peace of holy Jerusalem gives rise to in my soul.

I read the household rider of the Tokyo group, published on your official website, and felt that based on it, you can shoot a stylish program for the Beautiful Life TV channel. I especially liked it - the obligatory whiskey with ice in the dressing room ...

These guys have worked hard! So they need it. If we are talking about me, then I can get by - I personally don’t drink alcohol at all. And teammates - maybe they are so accustomed to at home, skip a glass in the evening for inspiration and tone. When you travel a lot with tours, you fly from place to place, you always want to feel at home. Simple human desire, which is reflected in the Tokyo rider. Nothing special!..

You once said that in your younger years you liked to have a meal in a good restaurant and disappear from there, not only without saying goodbye, but also without paying ...

In my youth, it used to be that they did this ... Now it’s scary to remember! And, on the other hand, who lived this time of his life without sin? You might think that you weren’t naughty fifteen or twenty years ago ...

I'll tell you more than that - I'm naughty to this day! But to escape from the "tavern", in English... It's fraught, after all... Aren't you ashamed now?

Not ashamed! Because then I always returned myself and returned money for lunches and dinners.

- By the way, it sounds, and as a hint to the producers ...

We, fortunately, do not have producers! We are responsible for ourselves, both organizationally and creatively. We write songs about how we live and make music the way we feel about it. This is boundless happiness, if anyone does not know, to do in creativity what your heart desires.

Since our conversation involuntarily concentrated around the topic of creativity and money, why do Russian "stars", unlike, say, Western ones, behave rather modestly in the field of charity?

What do you mean?

Everything from helping the poor and disadvantaged to adopting HIV-infected children from Ethiopia and Cambodia.

It’s hard for me to say, I didn’t dive deep into this story. Just imagine taking someone else's child into your home. You still need to be able to approach this correctly ... In charity, the most important thing is to clearly understand for whom and why you do certain things, and not just participate in various actions, as they say, “for show”. A colossal level of responsibility is needed, for the same adoption, we, simply, are not yet ripe for this.

The musicians of your group are so primordially Russian, I’m not even afraid of the word “epic” names: Demyan, Yaroslav ... It’s even somehow strange that you are called “Tokyo” and not, for example, “Yaroslavl” ...

My Jewish name is Moshe Pinchas!..

Yes, I saw with my own eyes such captions on the video clip with your interview, posted on one of the largest Israeli Internet news portals Ynet. Thought you were making fun of the local natives.

Not! ( laughs!) I am Moshe Pinchas, Demyan is David, and Roma is Reuben!

- Okay, then the group should definitely not be called "Yaroslavl", but rather "Yerushalayim", or, better, "Kfar Chabad".

By the name "Tokyo" we do not mean the Japanese capital. "Tokyo" is currents, a stream of charged particles, inexhaustible energy. The whole point is to move forward!

- Is it true that you are seriously engaged in the study of the Torah?

Absolute truth.

- Did you manage to learn something new for yourself?

Wouldn't you be surprised if I told you that this is a very serious book? Every time I open it, I manage to learn something new. The Almighty gave us this Book, putting boundless love into its pages. You read just a little, and everything around you is seen in a completely different way. I have a spiritual teacher - Vladimir Iosifovich Slutsker, who helps me to comprehend the wisdom of our world through awareness of the deep wisdom of the Torah.

They say that you want to divide yourself between music and cinema, to make a picture about the adventures of a thought in a person's head. Imagine that now the command “Motor!” sounded, and the camera rushed to chase the thoughts in your mind. What are you thinking about now?

Oh happiness! I am just overwhelmed with happy thoughts, ideas and reasoning. The fact that soon I will again take the stage and be with hundreds and thousands of my favorite viewers. And that somewhere very close is my Jerusalem.

Interviewed
Dmitry Aizin

Photo by Alex Lerner

2002-2012 Boot. Original material: http://www.boti.ru/node/47833

Yaroslav Maly: “If I have a concert on Shabbat, then I don’t get paid for it

Yarik Maly is the founder and leader of the Tokyo group, one of the most popular domestic rockers of 2006. But he became famous not only for the soundtracks to the "Ninth Company". Maly is the organizer of a rally in support of Israel. “The group's second album has just been released, it's called Plus Two Hundred. January 13th we had a concert in London on trafalgar square on the occasion of the Old New Year, the English call it the Russian New Year for some reason,” says Yarik. “Soon we are going to go on a big concert tour in Russia and Europe. I am writing music for Fyodor Bondarchuk's new film "Inhabited Island" based on the book by the Strugatsky brothers and for Roman Prygunov's film about "indigo" children. In continuation of the conversation about the cinema, I will add that our music sounds in Bondarchuk's "Ninth Company" and the film "Heat", which was released at the end of December. Now already underway work on our third album, it will be released in two versions: in Russian and English”, he tells Daniil Tunin, a correspondent for the Hillel Country newspaper. Today "Jewish Journal" presents you full version interview with Maly.

It's very cool to play a street concert in London, but the metropolitan audience is also looking forward to meeting the Tokyo band. When will you be heard in Moscow?
- On February 17 we will have a big concert in the club "B 1". This is a new large concert venue with very good sound and light, up to three thousand people can be there. In my opinion, this metropolitan club can be safely called a beautiful, correct and the first European stylish place. Almost immediately after the Moscow concert, tours begin, first Russian, then European.

Tell us a little more about your European tour. Which countries are you planning to visit, with whom to meet?
- In Moscow, we get on a bus with all the equipment and equip it for a studio. I myself do not yet know everything about the details, the route is still being specified. For example, on the way from Moscow to Paris, we record a new song right on the bus. We are in Paris for three or four days, we give concerts there, we negotiate with local producers, and this new song gets on one of the local music radio stations. Then we go to Berlin and on the way we hear ourselves on the radio. The main feature is that during the trip we will be filmed by television cameras. I hope everything goes well and this tour will be televised with the support of MTV as a reality show. The idea is that everything is in the head, there are no boundaries, and if you want, you can do anything. Also during this trip we plan to meet our friends and hang out at some private parties. In Paris with Monica Bellucci, in London with The Age, in Spain with Almodovar. I think we will have an interesting trip. Some time after returning from Europe, we will go on an Asian tour, we have plans for Japan and other countries. But it is too early to talk about this in more detail, because the trip is scheduled for late spring or early summer.

- A lot has been said about you and the Tokyo group over the past few years. And what happened before that?
- I was born and raised in Krivoy Rog in Ukraine. My first music teacher's name was Igor Semenovich Beer, and he brought me by the ears to a music school. At first I learned to play the balalaika, then I entered School of Music to the conducting department, in the third year I was expelled from there. And at the age of seventeen I came to Moscow, it was 1991 in the yard. At first I tried to make music that no one wanted. Then I had my own clubs and agencies related to music, but by and large it was all not interesting to me, because I always wanted to make music. Everything in my life changed dramatically after meeting Gosha Kutsenko. I had a certain transitional period in my life then, I thought in what direction to move on. Gosha said a lot of good things about me, his words were very important for me then. And I gave up everything, deciding to devote myself to music.

- Tell me, how did you meet Gosha Kutsenko?
- I met with one girl who studied with Gosha on the same course. And I had an idea to shoot a video for one song. Shortly before that, Gosha starred in the movie "Mom, Don't Cry" and was very popular. I called him with an offer to star in my video. Gosha agreed, despite the fact that I had no money to pay him. That's how our friendship began.

You were one of the organizers of the rally in support of Israel on July 31, 2006. What prompted you to take such an active part in this?
- We were then in Europe and saw constant highlighting in the press, statements of politicians and conversations ordinary people Israel as an aggressor, occupier and enemy of all mankind. After talking with different people about the Israeli-Lebanese war, I realized that I needed to show and voice a different point of view. The purpose of this rally was to support the Israelis, not the government. People came out not only because everyone criticized Israel. All smart people understand that Israel did not receive any benefit from the summer war with Lebanon. I then called my friends and said that we need to express our point of view. And we decided to get together, talk and support Israel. About a hundred people came to the rally, I thought we would be no more than 20-30 people. There were not only Jews there, people were really worried, some read the psalms and the Shema, Yisrael prayer, different points of view were expressed. On the eve of the rally, I received strange calls from some Jewish organizations. They demanded that everything be canceled, because there may be provocations, everything must be organized and carried out differently, everything must be discussed, the deadlines must be rescheduled. I told them that I have an idea that I am implementing now, not later. We submitted an application to the Moscow City Hall, received permission, and everything turned out great for us.

IN last years in various Jewish circles, it is customary to talk about a systemic Jewish crisis in the post-Soviet space. Do you share this point of view?
You have to understand what it means to be a Jew. When you stand against the wall with your hands up and declare your love for the Most High, and at that moment someone comes up to you, pulls on your sleeve and asks for money, then this becomes a problem. In my opinion, all the problems that are happening in the world today are connected with the fact that the Jews cannot understand in any way that they must turn to the Almighty. This is the most important thing, while no one interferes with doing business, politics, creativity. It's great that you can realize yourself in life, you just need to understand who provides it to us. It is obvious that it is impossible to talk about love for a woman without hugging her, kissing her, smelling her ... It is useless to talk about these things if you do not understand with what love the Almighty created this world. I visited many synagogues, in different cities and countries. There are almost no young people there.

And if they appear there, they pursue some interests. It happens that those who want to immerse themselves in Jewry come, but, seeing the atmosphere there, they merge from there without much delay. Today is a completely different time than 15 years ago, when Jewish life and the awakening of Jewish identity was only gaining momentum. You need to be active, mobile, communicate with the world, not withdrawing into yourself, and begin to love the Almighty. If you do all this, then wisdom will come. If you have become wise, then you understand how everything works and you can influence it. We need to understand how much the Almighty loves us, and without Kabbalah this is impossible. It is known that Jews are united either by some big problem, or by a great love for God. And right now this moment is coming, to love Him, I feel it very clearly. You can not shut yourself off from the world, now our time begins. But you need to feel it, believe in it and live it. Jews just won't agree on anything with each other.

-When and where did you start studying Kabbalah?
- I independently read and collected books on the Jewish tradition, visited many places, communicated with various Jewish educators, by the way, among them there are a lot of idle talkers and charlatans who are looking for a simple and quick profit on Jewry. This continued until I met my teacher and spiritual mentor Vladimir Slutsker. He finds the right words for each of his students. I have been a student at his yeshiva for two years now. The main thing I learn there is love. This place gathered beautiful and very beautiful people, I see there what is not found anywhere else in the world, and I have been and am in so many places on planet Earth. I see there a very special relationship to teachers, to books, to wisdom, to prayer and to each other. After these classes and communication, new songs are beautifully written, and interesting and bright thoughts come to mind.

- To what extent do you adhere to the canons of the Jewish tradition?
- I observe kashrut, I celebrate all Jewish holidays. If I have a concert on Shabbat, I don't get paid for it. But on the phone on Saturday I say, the Torah does not say that it cannot be used. By the way, it is on Saturday that the best concerts are obtained. Now is the 21st and we must be open to the world, the Messiah is coming and we must really act. At the same time, I take the commandments very seriously, trying to keep them as much as possible. A Jew without a creator is not a Jew.

- What message can you give to those who want to understand themselves, their Jewishness and get on the right path in life?
- One of my friends, his name is Misha Pelik, once told me the following: "Do not hesitate and move on your own way." You have to turn your head on and analyze. And do not think that there is an opportunity to feed themselves at the expense of the Jews. It is necessary to live beautifully, but without love it is impossible. Do not hesitate and look for love in this world, there is enough for everyone.

Text and photo: Jewish magazine: Original material

Yaroslav Maly was born in 1973 in Krivoy Rog (Ukraine). As a child, he was not much different from his peers - he also played football, skipped classes and participated in various boy fights. Before entering school, the boy showed extraordinary musical abilities, so his parents insisted on additional training in music school.

Biography

Though he was reluctant to learn musical notation, ran away from exams and concerts, teachers could not help but note that a brilliant musician is growing in him. The musician remembers his first music teacher Igor Semenovich Beer with warmth. At the music school, he first had to study the balalaika, then the piano.

After graduating from school, Yaroslav Maly decides to continue musical education, therefore, he enters the music school in Kyiv at the conducting faculty. But study did not bring him joy and inspiration. He was more interested in the free life of students, visiting nightclubs and using drugs. Because of a large number student absenteeism, although talented and promising, is expelled from the school in the third year of study. In order not to return to his native Krivoy Rog, Yaroslav plans to go to Moscow. A seventeen-year-old boy goes alone to conquer a huge city. It was a difficult year in 1991, but the musician decided that the economic situation in the country could not affect his plans.

In Moscow, he occasionally writes music, visits nightclubs, and meets people associated with rock music. Soon clubs and agencies are interested in him, allowing him to perform in front of the public. According to Yaroslav Maly, his work at that time did not bring him pleasure, so he organizes nightclubs and entertainment centers. He is reluctant to talk about this decade in his life, as during this period he begins to take drugs. A real revolution in the life of a musician was his acquaintance with Gosha Kutsenko. The actor managed to get money to organize and promote the Tokio group. In 2002, the group first announced itself by performing at the festival. Two years later, the musicians released their debut album. After this event, the soloist of the group began to have problems with illegal drugs. But after a long treatment and rehabilitation, Yaroslav returned to his former life.

The musician is a soloist in two groups of different directions (rock and rock mixed with pop). Each of Maly's projects is successful and welcomed by fans of his work.

In 2014, Yaroslav Maly radically changes his life and moves to Kyiv. The events in Ukraine made a strong impression on him. He actively participates in mass rallies, performs at concerts and calls for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. In Kyiv, the musician participates in various show programs, is a teacher for new young musicians. In the filming of his videos, he often acts as a screenwriter and director. He experiments, creates new projects and is a defender of the Jewish community in Ukraine.

Personal life

Yaroslav Maly is an amorous person who does not tolerate restrictions and limits. During the period of the conquest of Moscow, there were many girls in the life of a young man. He was looking for mutual understanding, support and confidence in his feelings. He met his first wife in a recording studio. One day a girl came into the studio wearing the same shoes as the musician. This attracted the attention of Yaroslav, and he immediately met her. The girl's name was Natalya Simakova, she was an actress, played in films and theater. The couple got married and had a daughter, Michelle. But after eight years life together the couple broke up. The musician dedicated to his first wife best songs.

Very soon, Yaroslav appeared in public next to new sweetheart named Olga. They met on the plane during the flight. Yaroslav claims that he understood at first sight that this woman would become his true love. He often appears with her in public, gives interviews and talks about his relationship. His lover is organizing concerts, as well as other issues regarding the work of groups in Ukraine and the United States.

Yaroslav, like other creative people, is alien to conventions. If love leaves a person’s life, then there is a need for new feelings. Now the musician has eight children from different women He cares about each one of them. Small does not shy away from responsibility, often taking them on his trips to other countries. Occasionally, photographers manage to capture a happy dad with his children.

The musician plans to continue working on his work in Ukraine and the USA. Yaroslav sees his future surrounded by children in a house somewhere in Israel.

For four years now, the leader of the Machete and Tokyo groups has not seen his daughter, who was born in his marriage to actress Natalya Simakova. The couple broke up in 2013, and then the singer promised that neither his wife nor baby Michelle would need anything - neither money nor a father. But he did not keep his word. Only recently, Natasha managed to literally knock out child support from 44-year-old Yaroslav - Maly had to transfer former family the entire amount accumulated over the years - several million rubles.

“The last time Yaroslav met Michelle was when she was one year old,” Simakova tells StarHit. “It really upsets me, I can’t understand why he does this. I would be happy if dad would take part in the life of the child. The girl needs him, I feel. In every possible way I appeal, I turn to him.

Maly left Natalia for another woman - Rachel Ora, who at that time was raising four children from a previous relationship. Yaroslav, having abandoned his infant daughter, accepted her heirs as relatives.

“For a long time I tried to find a job, to get used to the fact that I would raise a child alone,” continues Simakova. - It was a lesson. I could not even imagine such a turn. Yaroslav and I have always been a single whole, looking in the same direction. He dedicated songs to me. But when the daughter was born, the husband unexpectedly offered to live separately - they say, we got a little tired of each other ... After some time, I found out that he was in a relationship. And his lady of the heart was sure that she was doing the right thing. I tried to talk to her, explained that we have a child, a family, there is no need to ruin it. But everyone pretended that I was not and never was. We divorced, financially Yaroslav did not help me or my daughter. He lived by different countries- in more in Ukraine, he was in hiding, he did not want to pay alimony, although he had money. What did not do to achieve at least some result!”

“The bailiffs were looking for him, my friends, I sent telegrams, called mutual acquaintances, his current woman. For a long time, the ex-husband did not come to Russia, because he was listed in all services as a malicious defaulter, he would not have been released later from the country without paying his debts. In the end, with the help of people who have influence on him, everything finally happened. It helped save the house that I have in the mortgage. I thought that now he would think about it, remember about his daughter ... But I still can’t find Yaroslav. He disappeared again."