BIO
Great artists are often greater enigmas! Though I don't know much about Eugene, I have pieced together the following information through google searches and a few e-mails we have exchanged!
Eugene Slonimerov was born in Minsk, Belarus (like a smaller Russia) and he is a Russian Jew, which he is proud of. If you ask him, "Eugene, what is your background?" He will say, first and foremost, "I am a Jew." That's what he told me over emails.
Eugene's family emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, and settled in the rough North York area. Though street gangs and violence dominated much of the neighbourhood, Eugene found his release in his one true passion: music. It was his outlet, and it allowed him to sidestep the many pitfalls of growing up in a rough place. By the age of 17 Eugene had his first band, Thursday (not the emo band), with acclaimed free-jazz drummer Jeremy Finkelstein, then a young teen of 14, Aaron Ewen, who would go on to play guitar in Brooklyn-based fusion rock outfit Waking Life, and a guy named Steve. I don't know much about Steve but I think Eugene mentioned that he was taking a course in journalism. Look out for Steve in the future!
When Eugene graduated he took theatre at Ryerson University, where Emmett Charleston went. He graduated with honours while still making music.
Eugene's music is a mix of traditional Russian sounds, as well as punky influences such as the Talking Heads. There are two drummers, giving the music an "Afro beat" flavour (Afro beat is a style of music that combines jazz and Africa, check it out! I am thinking of making a website to describe music terms, but more on that later!). I don't know Eugene personally but he seems like a wonderful man, equal parts passionate and playful, and if I ever go to Toronto I would love to meet him! He lives with his girlfriend (:() so ladies I'm sorry! But I'm sorriest for me, his biggest fan. <3 <3 <3