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Source: Tatu.ru/forum

Thanks to Ocean Soul (tatu.ru/forum).

And now after 10 years, what do you remember most often?
Lena: I remember the very beginning. That was perfect time, not much work. We were living with each other. Yul’ka in my place, and I in her place. We were wandering with friends through the city till 4 am and then we would lie to our parents that we were in the studio.
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Do you already know when and how celebrate your anniversary?

Lena: Frankly speaking no. But we gonna celebrate it, that’s correct. I think it will be in the autumn.

Yulia: Actually, there’s no much variants. Or it will be concert or simply a party. On which we’ll invite all of our friends and most active fans. It will be clearer later.

And now after 10 years, what do you remember most often?

Lena: I remember the very beginning. That was perfect time, not much work. We were living with each other. Yul’ka in my place, and I in her place. We were wandering with friends through the city till 4 am and then we would lie to our parents that we were in the studio. We would walk with company through the center of Moscow and then me and Yulia would go in my place. We’d silently open the door so that we won’t wake up my mom and we wouldn’t turn on the lights. And then Volkova would say ’’I want to eat’’ and then I’d answer “So where’s the problem, go to the kitchen and eat’’ . I never thought she’d destroy all what contents of the fridge. Even my mom’s sandwiches she prepared for the work. She ate 10 pieces! So skinny and so voracious! Simply awful!

Yulia: I also remember those times. We would be happy as kids every day! We’d constantly go to visit someone, we’d meet new people and had fun. I remember we once returned from somewhere in the morning, sat in the yard of Lenka’s place and started to sing out loud the song “Oy to ne vecher, to ne vecher, mne malim malo spalos’’ Woke everyone up.

I remember the period when your studio was in the hotel “Pekin’’. This was the most authentic house of narkomans. Shapovalov’s acquaintances kept coming without an end. They smoked something, sniffed something…

Yulia: Well, show business is in general unhealthy enviroment. There are few sober and adequate people. Is this something new for you?

No, and how did you manage to get through this?

Yulia: You just have to arrange your priorities. For example I always wanted to look good, for me it was important. Looking at all those still young people looking as if they were 40 years old because of their lifestyle. I realized I don’t want to turn into this with time. Of course, in life everything’s interesting to try, but you should be able to stop yourself in time.

And did you try something?

Yulia: Just an experiment, nothing more.

Lena: In fact, whatever happened to us during this 10 years is mostly positive. I remember awfully stressful period when we had so many public appearances, sometimes even 3 in a day. We didn’t manage to wash or to eat before getting in another plane, we’d be wildly tired. But now it’s nice to remember even that. Actually, if I could go back in that time I wouldn’t change anything. Not even one situation. Because now I’m more than happy! Something like that just doesn’t exist!

Of those with whom you started – Ivan Shapovalov, Aleksandr Voitinskiy, Lena Kiper, are you seeing now any of them?

Yulia: Unfortunately no. Tho we’ve seen Vanya not long ago, last autumn. He came to Bacardi Party on which me and Lena performed. I think he didn’t come by accident. He probably wanted to see how’s t.A.T.u. today. I’ve noticed him from the scene, although he was quite far and I told him ’’Hello’’ on the microphone. But then we didn’t even talk.

Lena: And the rest we hadn’t seen for 100 years already! Time changes, we change.

Shortly, what has changed within each of you?

Yulia: First what comes on my mind: I became mother. It was a revoloution of consciousness. As before I live only for myself, lived exclusively with emotions. I’m a very impulsive person. And after the birth of the baby, I started to think about every step I make. And I wasn’t always late anymore (Laughing). Even though I can’t get rid of this habit. Even if I’m late for an hour, I say I’ll be there in 10 minutes.

Lena: My character changed completely. Not that someone told me this – I just feel it. I became much more rigid, tough. What is called, no longer a girl.

No one calls you by your patronymic?

Lena: Thanks God no! For everyone I’m still simply Lena and Volkova – simply Yulya. Even Yulia’s children call me Lena.

As I get it, you’re not doing concerts now?

Yulia: We do, but not often.

Maybe time of t.A.T.u. is already gone?

Yulia: I don’t think so. Our time is not gone, it just became different. No more such noise, dramas, but people still want to see and to hear us.

What are you doing all this time in USA, if there are no scheduled concerts?

Lena: I, for example had an eye surgery in San Francisco. I was tired of blinking all the time. Now I’m passing the rehabilitation period.

And you feel good?

Lena: Excellent! Even though my eyes are not still used to everything and they easily get tired, especially in bright light. But I often wear protective glasses. But now I can finally see everything! Faces of people, colours, leaves on the trees. And most of all I’m happy I can watch TV now. Before I literally had to touch screen with my face to see something.

And the surgery was painful?

Lena: Not at all. It was terrible. I had to look at one spot all the time. And the spot was strange: changed colours, then became very sharp… And then suddenly – bang! Comes complete darkness. I have lost my sight – even for a few seconds. I was so scared that I couldn’t breath. But then everything turned out to be fine as it supposed to be.

Yulia, what are you doing in USA now?

Yulia: I’m doing my solo album. I met various producers, choosing songs, even trying to write something. And I want immediately say: Despite this what me and Lena want to do for our solo projects, t.A.T.u. will continue to exist only in light – mode.

Lena: Yulia and I decided that we won’t stand in one place all the time, you should develop. And it’s interesting to see for what things you’re capable when you’re alone. Together is always easier.

Do you already know what will be the style of your new songs?

Lena: I still don’t know.

Yulia: Me neither, the only thing I can say is that it won’t be pop-music, I don’t like all those dances, R’n’B. I still can listen to it, but to do it – no. Boring. On the scene I want action.

When Lena comes to America, she lives in the house of Boris Renskiy, and you Yulia, where do you usually live with Parviz?

Yulia: Right now we live at our common friends’ place. Actually Parviz is in Moscow with children now. In the beginning I wanted to stay in the hotel, but then decided to call friends and ask him to receive me. I hate to be alone, especially in the hotels. I need to communicate. And next time when I come here I hope to live in my own home already. Now we’re actively pursuing the issue of its purchase. In summer I’m planning to move in L.A. finally.

And what means this “finally’’?

Yulia: That means forever. To live there.

Are you serious?

Yulia: Yes. First time I visited USA in 2005 and I really liked it. Even then I had thought it would be nice to live there. And now that thought became stronger.

And what’s there in America, that you can’t find in Russia?

Yulia: Here everything is different. Here is better to raise children, because everything is adapted for it. It’s much safer. It’s better to work with music. All the leading producers and musicians live in the States, and I’m already tired of flying here and there all the time. And in addition to it, here’s the summer all the year. And I can’t live without the sun. I’m very tired of Moscow’s greyness, of those endless parties. Some empty – fast life. And in general it is high time for me to change background.

You’re not afraid that many fans in Russia won’t understand you?

Yulia: No. I don’t even pay attention what somebody will think of me. Normal people, especially those who have children will understand me. And I’m not interested in those who are not normal.

Do you think that during these 10 years the attitude to the idea of “freelove’’ which group t.A.T.u. promoted has changed?

Yulia: Unfortunately nothing has changed. Two years ago me and Lena went to the gay-parade and watched these unfortuante boys beaten to the blood. Cops on the one side, and skinheads on the other. I do not understand how you can maim people just because of the fact that they have a different orientation. That’s simple a savagery. It seems to me that even in undeveloped African countries such things don’t happen. Honestly, that scene strongly influenced me. I had a big desire to leave quickly.

Lena, you’re also planning to leave Russia?

Lena: No way. In that sense, I’m a patriot. I certainly like to be in America, but to live there, no. In Moscow is my mom, dad, sister, friends and close people. If they also go with me, I’d even think about it, but that’s impossible, I have too many friends (Laughing).

Good, you can already afford yourself to choose where to live. By the way, how much you’ve earned in these 10 years of career?

Lena: Honestly, I’ve no idea. I don’t know how much and which accounts is all I have. I made 2 major purchases, an apartment in Moscow, but still there is money. And if I need something I’ll call to check how much money I have and and how to get them.

Yulia: I also don’t know. If I want to buy something I just withdraw the money from the card, but when and how much is there, I don’t know.

On the Internet, there can be found a record of your first press- conference, where you kissed in front of cameras? And when was the last time such kiss happened?

Lena: I don’t remember, we don’t celebrate such days (Laughing). But even now we sometimes kiss, out of the scene. For example when we’re relaxing somewhere together. And then Yulia already has husband, children…

And you’re not going to get married?

Lena: In near future no, on the other hand, “if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans’’ Banal phrase, but no one changed it yet.

And do you have a boyfriend?

Lena: Let’s just forget this question.

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