MKSM @ rbb Studio 3

MKSM @ hr/ ard QUEERTOPIA

MKSM @ ard brisant

LOVING MYSELF

BREAKING MY RULES

USED TO DO

LOVING MYSELF, BREAKING MY RULES & USED TO DO

RELEASE: 12/05/2023 & 07/07/2023 – LABEL: Milch Musik

Just in time for PRIDE SEASON 2023, MKSM is releasing the first single of his third EP – supported by German Pride Association (CSD Deutschland e.V.)

Am I beautiful enough? Am I good enough? Am I enough? Everyone has probably asked themselves these questions at some point. LOVING MYSELF deals with the journey to oneself. As a gay late-resettler who was born in Russia, grew up in the Ukraine and stuttered heavily, MKSM tried many things to fit in – and in the end found out: I COULD SPEND MORE TIME ON LOVING MYSELF!

The singer, songwriter, violinist and activist uses his voice to show others that they are not alone in their doubts and that the seemingly long journey to self-acceptance and self-love is worth taking. Nevertheless, everyone should be aware that it is a process: IT TAKES SOME TIME TO FEEL THIS WAY, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE TODAY!

The uplifting pop anthem is full of matching opposites: a string arrangement recorded by MKSM meets an 808 bass, soft vocals meet hard-hitting drums.

LOVING MYSELF was called the “PRIDE anthem of the year” by German media, including major queer magazines. The electronic BREAKING MY RULES is its confident successor.

Influenced by hyperpop and dancehall, the song is edgy, clubby and a bit dark. In the sex-positive pop track, he describes the train of thought – which many of us are familiar with – surrounding a one night stand. Am I sticking to my principles or am I letting go of them? Can more come of this and why am I afraid of it? Do I allow closeness afterwards or is a one night stand doomed to fail anyway? The singer’s soft yet confident vocals describe his inner turmoil and also sing about the “boy” he’ll probably never see again?!

USED TO DO is the newest track: It’s a light upbeat track – influenced by Liquid D’n’B and Hyperpop – about the realization that you and your friend have grown apart.

CHECK MY PHONE

RELEASE: 17/03/2023 – LABEL: Lieblingslieder Records

‘CHECK MY PHONE’ hovers between introverted bedroom pop and futuristic hyper pop – soft vocals meet hard auto-tune. The track is dancy yet intimate – in the song’s two and a half minutes we find ourselves scrolling through other people’s lives while being left out.

The duet is about the loneliness and emptiness that can get to us when we look at our phones. It’s about the end of a relationship, about the painful erasure of the last traces and memories that are still lurking on our screens – and that glimmer of hope, of a little interaction, a text, a call to not feel completely isolated and alone.

PART OF ME

RELEASE: 28/10/2022 – LABEL: Milch Musik

For International Stammering Awareness Day in October, MKSM speaks about his own story – PART OF ME is an uplifting pop anthem that describes MKSM’s journey and his dealing with stuttering.

He himself has stammered since the age of 4 – his growing up was marked by continuous visits to logopedics, doctors and speech therapists – and even today the topic of stuttering still occasionally visits him. The artist found his language again only when he accepted stuttering as PART OF ME – part of himself. Today, he is open about the topic and uses his voice to show others that they are not alone in their story and that it is worth taking the seemingly long road to self-acceptance. With a canvas format buildup, PART OF ME shows how this breakthrough can sound. MKSM’s soft voice runs over crystal-clearly produced beats that start static and gloomy in the verses and fuel-up on hope in the chorus – MKSM refers to himself as LITTLE BOY and embraces his insecure past self.

Since 1998, October 22 is the „International Stammering Awareness Day” and Germany is among the countries using the International Stammering Awareness Day to create awareness for what life is like for people who stutter.

STATEMENT ‘BUNDESVEREINIGUNG STOTTERN & SELBSTHILFE e.V.’:

Stammering is an invisible disability that is part of everyday life for about 800,000 people in Germany (about 1 percent of the world’s population is affected), and the actual impairments that sufferers experience as a result of the speech flow disorder are often not empathically comprehensible to outsiders. In addition, there are widespread prejudices and misconceptions about stuttering and people who stutter. MKSM addresses this with PART OF ME and shows his own development process: from a boy, insecure due to bullying and shame, to a self-confident man who accepts the speech impediment as part of himself and does not hide himself. Currently, there is no musician known to us in Germany who openly stands for self-acceptance of stuttering. A seldom known fact about stuttering is that from puberty on, it is not curable in the sense of complete, reliable absence of any symptoms. MKSM therefore also offers young people and adolescents who stutter a figure to identify with and can be a role model for their own empowerment.

One Of My Demons

ONE OF MY DEMONS

RELEASE: 09/09/2022 – LABEL: Milch Musik

“One Of My Demons” – musical striptease of the soul that elicits pure goosebumps.

MSKM releases the next precursor of the new EP “Feelings Of A Misfit” (release: 28/10/22) on the label Milch Musik on 09/09/22. Only those who know the lows can also appreciate the highs – the opener of the new MKSM EP shows this in a particularly impressive way.

“One Of My Demons” is a musical striptease of the soul doesn’t merely give you goosebumps with its haunting vocals, softly played piano melodies and a throbbing beat pattern. While MKSM confronts personal fears here, the lyrics also speak of emotional fathoms we all have to dive into at some point in life.

We all know them: the inner voices that tell us what to do, what to think, what to feel. These demons are not grimaces with wings, but subtle thought patterns that we follow often enough, without even realizing it. Then we stagger through the light as if blindfolded. But especially in the darkest hours we should not always believe everything we think.

A credo that MKSM internalized early in life. In order to chase his dream of being a musician, the charismatic singer, songwriter, violinist and activist has had to cope with and take on a lot as an openly gay Russian late repatriate who grew up in Ukraine: whether it was breaking through cultural conventions, struggling with eating disorders or the everyday language barriers as a stutterer.

His new single “One Of My Demons” is also dedicated to this rocky path and the lessons learned from it. Thematically, the focus is on a one sided, exploitative relationship. But it is also about the relationship to fears and self-doubt, which may stem from it sooner or later: “Blowing up fears just to stay on my mind”.

MKSM deliberately shows his vulnerable side here to encourage all those who know these feelings. Nobody should feel excluded! He challenges you to face your own demons.

The impressive music video was shot in black and white, hypnotic images in neo noir style. In it, MKSM confronts his demons. When he looks into the camera at the end, the battle seems to be won

Tracks in Minor

TRACKS IN MINOR

RELEASE: 07/08/2022 – LABEL: Milch Musik

Intoxicating up-tempo sound, the typical UK garage beat, melodies carried by his violin, and lyrics that go straight to the heart — with his new song “Tracks in Minor”, MKSM isn’t just releasing a declaration of love to melancholy and pop-songs in minor. The urban, danceable track details insecurities and fears that everyone can identify with.

Bright images from England, MKSM perform at ‘Cheltenham Pride in the Park’; the mood is wild and rowdy — then a cut: Him alone at a nearly empty intersection in Cheltenham, one-take, and just a few effects. Nothing else was needed to capture the feeling of the track in a visualizer.

With the lyrics he describes, among other things, a kind of hide-and-seek we play with ourselves — wasted talent, missing chances — and then he reminds himself I used to avoid doing things because I was too afraid of doing them wrong or of how other people would react. Run away from the familiar to start over again – until you find yourself again, somewhere new, on your own. Being carried by his own demands of himself, he sings “pushing through with no exception”.

MKSM – suppressing your feelings does not solve any problems – UNBREAKABLE UNTIL I BREAK

Just let go and feel what takes place inside of us – to pop-songs in minor.
The “Tracks in Minor”, “they help me heal” he sings and reminds himself – and us – not to lose ourselves and not to lie to ourselves. The song takes us on the journey to ourselves. “Dive into my pain”, the confrontation of that which we feel doesn’t yet solve our problems, but allows us to begin questioning ourselves and reflecting on our feelings, and that is where the healing begins.

Shared Room

SHARED ROOM

RELEASE: 05/06/2022 – LABEL: Milch Musik

MKSM is releasing ‘Shared Room’ on May 6th – a groovy love song in the style of Lauv highlighted by rhythmic guitars, MKSM’s violin and smooth synth sounds. Here, MKSM paints an autobiographical love story that flourishes in spite of society’s norms and established rules.

“This song is really special to me because it is, on the one hand autobiographical, the first single of my second EP, and on the other hand the first song where I sing about about a BOY… I needed to take my time to take this step and I’m really PROUD to finally get there. That’s why it feels right to publicly introduce my real partner in the video – that felt the most natural to me!

I love the mix of my soft vocals and the groovy and warm arrangement, and of course it had to have a little hook from my violin! But in this case we also played with some effects so that the song sounds really exciting and fresh.” said MKSM

The music video is in Super 8 format and was filmed with a warm, nostalgic look that suits the sound. It consists of documentary-style scenes of a long-term queer relationship and shows MKSM with his husband and their young puppy for the very first time. What began with TWO BOYS IN ONE ROOM has now become two men in an old apartment in Berlin, who after the new same-sex marriage law of 2017 are happily married

MKSMstands for Maksim – name of the singer, songwriter, violinist, and activist. As an openly gay repatriate, he has lived in Russia, in the Ukraine, in Frankfurt and in London, and lives at present in Berlin.

After winning an “LGBTQ Music Award”, writing campaign songs for LGBTIQ+ initiatives and organizations and performing at the virtual GLOBAL PRIDE on the European Highlight Stage, MKSM released his first EP HIGH ON LOWS in 2021 and the Pride track LOVE IN THE DARK together with the queer artist LEOPOLD.

In addition to numerous PRIDES in Germany, MKSM’s Pride Tour 2022 also took him to the UK and Italy – for the first time ever. After the release of TRACKS IN MINOR, DEEZER described the singer and songwriter as one of the most interesting newcomers in Germany. MKSM’s second EP FEELINGS OF A MISFIT is OUT NOW – it was released on October 28, 2022 on Milch Musik, the label of Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer. ARD Brisant and rbb Studio 3 reported on the release and the artist.

PRESS REVIEW

HOLD ME DOWN

HIGH ON LOWS

RELEASE: 26/03/2021
MAARWEG RECORDS/ ZEBRALUTION

Looking at queer pop from different angles? Given the musical diversity the LGBTQ + community expresses on stages all around the world, it’s not a small claim. All five tracks on MKSM’s debut EP successfully establish this vast and confident expanse of influences and depicts in a contemporary fashion what has made queer pop music so unique for decades.

From the fragile ballad COLLIDE in which MKSM reflects on the growing connection between two people, to the infectious string arrangements in SIRENS and the hope-fueled disco number BE ALRIGHT, this EP presents an artistic vision which is thought-provoking in its musical diversity but also its disarming honesty.

HOLD ME DOWN, the EP’s main track and latest release, expands the stylistic repertoire of a singer-songwriter and violinist who knows how to authentically approach all moods – the highs as well as the lows – both musically and lyrically.

Consequently, the confrontation with one’s self, with one’s own highs and lows, hopes and fears, is essential in HOLD ME DOWN – conflicts that everyone is faced with at some point in life, but that everyone can grow from.

The fact that MKSM is not afraid to talk about painful truths, to address one’s struggles, be they with alcohol or other dark chapters of life, speaks in his favour. A track that lays bare his soul. The accompaniment of beat patterns, straight from the 80s and the intensifying, ambivalent aftertaste of the track with its rich synths and distorted violins elegantly resolves apparent contradictions.

‚We tried to bring the 80s sound into the present day. Inspired by artists like The Weeknd,’ states MKSM about his creative process.

In the video of the song, he is supported by Berlin-based drag performer and DJ Bambi Mercury, one of the contestants on “Queen Of Drags” (Pro 7), and together with dancers from the Berlin University of the Arts (UDK), they visually reproduce the inner life of the artist.

COLLIDE

An autumn day poured into a sound full of warmth and security – MKSM’s new single »Collide«

If two people decide to share a roof over their heads, this step requires one thing above all: trust. Trust in yourself, in your own strengths and weaknesses, but also in those of the other person. Then comes the courage to allow this fast approach, no matter what others might think. With his new ballad »Collide«, MKSM talks about this often first big step in a relationship and finds hope exactly where others see or even sow doubts. By focusing harmonically and rhythmically on the essentials, the song gives the crystal-clear timbre of Maksim, as MKSM is actually called, plenty of room to develop. Past the feastful cello movements at the beginning, through warm piano chords to the powerful beat entry, the singer, songwriter and violinist accompanies us with a delicate falsetto and vocoder effects through the creation cycles of an intimate partnership that goes far beyond being in love at the beginning.

In both simple and impressive images, the video for the song shows two gay couples whose development, from moving in together to mutual happiness to unshakable familiarity in older age, symbolize what the connection between people really is: growing together and with one another, but also each other and, despite collisions, keep recognizing what is valuable in the other. The fact that an older gay couple can also be seen here, authentic and open with regard to their own sexuality, even in the current LGBTQ media, rarely occurs.

For the song and video, Maksim was inspired by this openness, but also by his own relationship, which he has built up with his partner and now husband over many years. A deeply personal ballad, the sound and text of which was born from experience – as close to life as few this year.

Be Alright

Like a fresh summer breeze: Energetic 70s disco strings and 80s bass lines combined in a queer-pop dance anthem to all the teenage minds. A fusion that makes everyone take to the floor. This is MKSM’s new single ‘BE ALRIGHT’. Pumping bass lines reminiscent of the 80s. Summery 70s disco strings and his energetic violin that shimmer through the song. Effortless lightness. ‘Then’ meets ‘now’ in the best possible manner.

The memorable lyrics deliberately awaken sweet memories of carefree times full of euphoria, new impressions, and a light, airy feeling.

“Dance with our issues

Won’t try to fix them

Trusting we’ll be alright “

For quite some time, MKSM wasn’t sure whether he would release ‘Be Alright’. With his Cologne based producers from the Maarwegstudio2 the song eventually found its way back “simply because it fits the general mood of many people these days. It’s about appreciating

yourself and all the beautiful things that happen around you. Even if reality is tough at times. It’s about the fact that you shouldn’t worry constantly, but accept life with its ups and downs. And just go along with it.”

“Lost those memories in our grown up fights

Why don‘t we just bring them back to life?

Why don’t we…”

In 2017, MKSM moved to London along with a strong desire for freedom and the trust in new beginnings. He learnt: You are allowed to make mistakes without punishing yourself! This youthful light-heartedness is the basic building block for ‘Be Alright’

Sirens

With SIRENS MKSM continues where he left off with TIPSY IN LOVE Merging string and vocal melodies combined with urban beats – creating a unique sound with a message: The song describes an escape – a liberation from outdated social norms – WE HEAR THE SIRENS CALLING – FLASHING LIGHTS FADING FROM OUR SYSTEMS – while following your own path – LET’S STAY AWAY FROM THIS BEATEN TRACK.

Tipsy in Love

With his song “Tipsy in Love“, the singer describes a state that many probably know: “You get to know someone and you are in a state of uncertainty and insecurity. Contrary to ‘drunk in love‘, you are just tipsy: You have the feeling that you’ve gone either too far or not far enough. Is it too early or too late? Will I get hurt or could it lead to something serious? Your consciousness is clouded and things seem unclear.“