BUSINESSMAN, SINGER, FAMILY MAN...

After his concert in Green Theatre and ahead of his concert at the Sea Breeze Resort in Nardaran, on the occasion of the opening of a resort launched by the businessman Emin Agalarov in Baku, the composer and singer met with representatives of the press. The singer and businessman, Emin Agalarov, shared with the readers of R+ his thoughts of music, Eurovision, family, children, nuances of upbringing and many other things.

- Tell us how much money was made from your latest charity concert in Green Theatre and where exactly will this amount go?

- We managed to raise about $100,000, which will be spent on the renovation of the gym and restoration of the heating system at school № 130 in Nardaran. I really hope that by the new academic year, the school will change. By the way, we used the revenues of past concerts to replace and completely renovate the roof and the windows in the school.

 - During your concert in Green Theatre, you said that your father had surgery on that day. How does he feel now?

- It was a simple operation. He damaged his kneecap, it was a football injury. The operation took place in Germany, and it just so happened that none of the family was near him at the time. My mother and sister flew in from America for my concert (smiles). I've already talked to dad on the phone, and he's all right.

- Rumour has it that you will represent our country at Eurovision. 

- Believe me, I'm not the best candidate for Eurovision. This contest requires a separate preparation and a lot of time. And if lucky, then, becoming the winner, you have to tour the world throughout the year and perform at various venues. In principle, this is what our winners Eldar and Nigar are doing today. As for me, physically and mentally I am not ready for such changes in my life. In addition, we have plenty of talented young musicians who can take part in this contest and achieve great success and glory for Azerbaijan.

- In many forums, most bloggers, discussing the forthcoming Eurovision contest, want to see you as the host of the show. Would you agree to host this contest?

- I'm a bad host. I think that this kind of show has to be hosted by professionals. You should do only what you can do and do it well. A host should be able to "control" the audience. But I'm not a host, believe me. I always do only what I can.

- But at your concerts, you do an excellent job as a host...

- But that's my concert and I'm just myself on stage as in real life. I'm not making this up and not wondering what I need to say or do. The host of the contest must adhere to a specific scenario and invent phrases in the process. So it's not for me... 

- How are your songs created? Do you need a special inspiration or does everything happen spontaneously?

- There are no secrets. I just sit down and write (laughs). But an inspiration can be drawn even from a cup of tea.

- You are the first Azerbaijani to "open a window" into Europe as a singer and composer. Your songs are played on famous British radio stations. Where are you going next?

- I'm not the first to "open a window" into Europe. It was done by the great Muslim Magomayev long before. I plan to continue to promote my music. We recently signed a contract for a further three of my albums with a German company, which oversees Austria, Sweden and Switzerland. In autumn, we will be promoting my new album in these regions, and a year later, perhaps, in the US.

- Does a businessman's pragmatism get in the way of your career? Or, conversely, does it help?

- I think it's more of a help. When you understand the work process and calculate various options for achieving your goal, you think constructively and achieve a result more quickly. It is the same thing in music. Working with musical material also requires a serious attitude and a certain clarity and structure.

- Emin, who would you like to sing a duet with?

- I've already sung with Muslim Magomayev. And it was memorable for me. I'm proud that I'm Azerbaijani. And I emphasize it everywhere. I'm proud that Magomayev was also Azerbaijani (thinks). As for modern artists, I'd like to sing a duet with Sade.

- Does your family support your career? Which song from your repertoire is Aras Agalarov's favourite?

- Yes, of course. Dad really likes "Impossible". True, it's not my song, unfortunately, but I sing it. I think dad likes it, because it's a song of his youth. And he also likes my ballads.

- What is the favourite song of your wife?

- My song "Never Enough", which hasn't yet entered into any of my albums. Maybe I'll soon include it in one of my CDs.

- Emin, tell us where you got such love for music? How did it start?

- It all started when my mother gave me two audiotapes: collections of songs by Elvis Presley - young and more mature. At that time, we lived in Moscow. Of course, I listened to these tapes to tatters and smudges. I liked rock 'n' roll. Then my grandfather gave me a recording of Bill Haley, and later Magomayev came into my life. I remember that I listened to his entire repertoire of popular music. Then there were Celentano, Sade, James Brown, and later - Sting and Robbie Williams. At 15, I discovered that I was humming some tunes, which I tried to play with an instrument. I got a desire to play music, but I had no music education. Over the past 15 years, I can say, I "taught myself". By the way, I still haven't received a single lesson in singing and piano playing. I can't say that I learned to do this phenomenally, and, of course, I can't compete with professional musicians, but hopefully I'm still doing it well. I wrote my first song at 16, and it was called "Missing You".

- Was it a song in Russian?

- Yes. Now I write in English because it's an international language. My songs are a commercial product for the global market.

- Do you think the Emin project is profitable from a businessman's point of view?

- During the four concerts I gave in Baku, we were able to raise about $400,000. If I had put the money in my pocket, it could be argued that the project was profitable. But since my concerts were charitable in nature, I didn't make a penny. Yes, I'm often invited to corporate events in Russia, but I never participate in them. Given that it's a big country, you can imagine how profitable this project could be. I choose tours myself, and only those that are interesting to me. Only one company has the right to sell my CDs, including for the next five years, and considering how much I earned for selling the album, it's worth talking about the profitability of the project. Yes, here I become a businessman. And I want my CDs to be sold not only in Britain but also in the United States. But it does take hard work. For now, I'm only building a brand.

- Tell us about your collaboration with the renowned British music clip maker Phil Griffin.

- It all started with an idea to make a clip for my second single in the UK "Any Time You Fall" with the director Phil Griffin. As a result, we went so far that we are making two more clips with him for the songs "Falling" and "Wonder" and are carrying out filming for the video "Just For One Night", which has already been released. I think the clip "Any Time You Fall" will turn out beautiful. Impressions from my contacts with Griffin are the most positive (laughs). Actually, he's a very cool uncle. He told me that once Tom Jones called him and asked him to make a clip on one condition: Jones had only an hour of free time for the filming. Paul complied with the musician's request. The result was a creative video: throughout the entire video, a gunman in a mask of Tom Jones is chases by someone, and there is a girl sitting next to him in the car. In the end, he gets caught and takes off his mask, and beneath it, there is real Tom Jones. The musician appeared only in the final scene, and it took only 20 minutes! Or the story with Paul McCartney who ordered a dance video and admitted to Griffin that he was totally unable to move about. The director filmed McCartney as he performed various movements against a white wall and then forced 200 people to learn these movements and dance in sync with Paul. It's very interesting to work with him - it's a very creative person full of stirring ideas.

- Emin, you make an impression as a balanced person. What can make you angry and what helps you to calm down quickly?

- Almost anything can make me angry, and my children help me to calm down and relax.

- And do you practice a certain technique of upbringing with them or does everything happen spontaneously?

- No. I try to explain to my sons what they can do and what they can't. And they listen to me. I have no clear formula for raising children. I think everything is simple - you need to surround your loved ones with love, not just children. Then the family will be all right. Children need to be allowed to fulfil themselves as what they see themselves. For example, my parents never forced me to do music or business. I made my own choice.

- Who's in charge in your family? Who has the last say?

- We have no separation of duties. In some matters, Leyla listens to me, and in some I listen to her. In our family, there is more partnership than a separation of duties.

- Do your children have musical abilities?

- (Smiles) Yes. They are already trying to sing my songs. They especially like the song "Just For One Night". 

- What nuances of your father's upbringing helped you succeed in business and music?

- My dad lost his father at 14. And despite the fact that he was the youngest child in the family, my father felt the burden of responsibility. From early childhood he fostered responsibility in me and didn't let me idle. In turn, I did everything to attain his respect and I wanted him to be proud of me. And this only pushed me towards new successes and new beginnings.

- As you know, during your studies in the US, you were a lead singer in a cover band. Tell us about that period of your life...

- (Laughs) It was a very strange band. In our group, there was a pianist from Korea, who knew little about keyboard instruments, an Iranian guitarist, and me - Azerbaijani. We performed cover versions of legendary rock 'n' roll hits. While we were doing it, I realized that we wouldn't return to the stage for about five years (laughs). In parallel with my music career, I opened an Internet business selling goods from Russia in the United States. We sold dolls, jewellery boxes, scarves, etc. The project proved extremely successful, and soon I was able to open my own shoe store on Madison Avenue in New York.

- At one time, you took up boxing. Do you still practice this sport?

- No. I did boxing for four years, but then I decided that I was unlikely to become a professional boxer (laughs). I wasn't fated to fight Tyson in the ring... I realized that it wasn't my thing and quit.

- What are you dreaming of?

- Of the health of my family and loved ones.

- Who is your most severe critic?

- (Laughs) He's sitting in front of you. No one is stricter to me than myself.

- Who is more you: Emin the businessman, Emin the family man or Emin the singer?

- All in one.

- What's your favourite holiday?

- Perhaps it's the New Year, because on 31 December, our family also celebrates my mom's birthday. So for me it's a double celebration.

- And finally, share your plans with our readers...

- I plan to continue to promote my music in Europe. At the moment, I'm actively working on another disc. I hope that the new album will have even greater hits that will achieve even greater heights. The position I have taken today to create the next CD is rather brutal. That is the disc will include only the best songs that have a chance of becoming hits. For example, almost half of the songs of my latest album "Wonder" have become singles. And it's quite a good result. Usually, two or three songs from a disc can become hits. When working on a new album, I ensure that all 12 songs are remembered and loved by listeners. A lot of work has already been done, I have composed about 30 songs, 20 of which went into the dustbin and ten are waiting to be recorded.