Birthday: October 25, 1992

Birthplace: Moscow

Hobbies: I love dancing

Married: Yes

Children: No

Favourite groups: The Desperados, The Quakes, Batmobile, and Morphine

Favourite food: I love sweets and meat — honestly, I just love eating!

Favourite drink: Prosecco, red wine, Pornstar Martini, and dark beer

Previous jobs: I used to work as a bibliographer

Likes: Music, my grandma, Dima, my cats, nature, and the life itself

Dislikes: When someone adds a reverb drop into a vocal mix, and country music! 😀

Pets: A cat named Lothric and a kitty named Sreda

So, the double bass is a big instrument – what on earth made you want to play it?

Someone dared me to try it — and then I just couldn’t stop.

Did you buy your own initially or borrow one?

As for first one, the ‘dare bass’, I borrowed from a friend. The second one, the white one, was already mine.

How do you transport it?

In my BMW E91 station wagon 

How often do you get people referring to it as a cello or massive violin?

All the time — and honestly, their ignorance really annoys me!

How long have you been playing?

Four years.

What was the first band that you played the bass in?

My own — Eliza Stark & The Dappers.

What other bands have you been in?

I sang in many academic and church choirs, and also did backing vocals in a Saint Petersburg underground band called Ptichkin Les.

What’s your favourite song featuring a slap bass (not your own)?

Living a Lie by The Desperados, Johnny Got a Boom Boom by Imelda May, and Devil’s Chasing Me by Reverend Horton Heat.

What’s your favourite song that you’ve played bass on?

Honestly — every single one.

Is there anyone that massively influenced you as a bass player?

Linda from Relax Trio, Bass Pixie from Bamboozle, and Lee Rocker.

Do you have a name for your bass?

No — he’s just my boy.

Have you got a travel bag/soft cover for it and if so, have you ever crawled into it?

Yes, I have a soft case! When we played at Cooly Rocks On in Australia, they gave me a hard case for the bass — I immediately crawled inside and fit perfectly. I want to be buried in one like that! 

Anything else you’d like readers to know?

Since the moment I first picked up a double bass, I simply couldn’t let it go. I still can’t believe people actually enjoy what I do — every time feels like a little miracle, and I’m absolutely thrilled.

As told to Nick Constantine

Buy a copy of ‘Higher’, Eliza Stark and the Dappers’ debut album, here