Exclusive Interview: The Architecture of Emptiness – Filipovich on Turning the Void into a Canvas

In a modern music ecosystem increasingly defined by synthetic perfection, laptop production, and algorithmic formulas, the act of recording a song purely with live instruments feels like a radical statement. Enter Filipovich, the Minsk-based indie rock outfit that has spent years prioritizing raw human performance over digital emulation.

The modern indie scene is undeniably crowded, but rock music that chooses to look directly inward without the safety net of digital distortion or synthetic production remains rare. Enter Filipovich, the Minsk-based alternative outfit that has steadily built a reputation for unapologetic honesty and an unwavering commitment to the craft of live instrumentation. Over the course of their previous five releases, they have carved out a sonic identity that rejects the convenient shortcuts of the laptop-production era, proving that the most compelling soundscapes are those born from real human interaction in a physical room.

On May 24, 2026, the band returned with their highly anticipated sixth official single, “Даже” (Even), a release that elevates their signature introspective approach to an entirely new creative plane. The track is a deep, existential reflection on the bittersweet journey of growing up, shifting life goals, and the quiet spaces left behind when people and places inevitably fade away. Instead of treating the feeling of inner emptiness as a tragedy or a point of despair, Filipovich boldly reframes the void as a completely blank canvas—a vital, necessary chance for listeners to strip away the background noise, rediscover themselves, and find a brand-new sense of purpose.

Musically, the single stands as a testament to their artistic credo. To capture raw, unfiltered emotions, the band completely rejected VST emulations and digital synthesis. Every note, swell, and dynamic shift was played live in the studio, creating an organic, human environment that genuinely breathes alongside the listener. It is an ambitious, uncompromised piece of work that challenges the conventions of modern indie releases.

We sat down with the band to explore the philosophy behind the single, the intense financial and physical realities of the independent studio grind, and what it truly means to face the silence when the music stops.

Interview with Filipovich 

Natalia – Vocalist, Guitarist, Lyricist, and Composer
Alexey – Bass Guitar
Vladimir – Guitarist, Composer, and Arranger
Elisey – Drummer and Band Producer

The title of your single is “Даже” (Even). It’s a small, conversational word that carries a lot of weight. Why did this single word feel like the right anchor for a song about the heavy, bittersweet journey of growing up?

Natalia: “The song title ‘Even’ works as an emotional accent. “Even” hints at a lack of words. “I don’t even understand…” — each listener can interpret it differently based on their own inner state. Moreover, one word leaves a mystery, making the song compelling to listen to.
Because “Even” — what?…”

Alexey: “Even” – this word is used to emphasize the depth of a word or phrase. That’s why it was chosen for the track’s title.”

You frame the feeling of inner emptiness not as a tragedy, but as a blank canvas and a chance for self-discovery. How do you translate that specific philosophical shift into the melody of the song so the listener feels the hope inside the void?

Vladimir: “Ah, so that’s what they’re singing about, thank you! Listen, I just write music the way it comes out, and the listener then interprets my decisions as they see fit. The only unwavering rules in our band are distortion in the chorus and a solo before the second verse.”

Alexey: “It’s more a question of arrangement decisions. Despite the language barrier, the track’s rhythmic patterns and the volume shift from verse to chorus convey the emotions inherent in the song to the listener.”

For this release, you completely rejected VST emulations and digital synthesis in favor of 100% live instrumentation. In a modern music landscape dominated by laptop production, what was the biggest challenge of sticking to that “purist” approach in the studio?

Elisey: drummer and band producer: “We rejected to use VST emulations not only in this release. All our tracks feature the original sound of live instruments. It’s safe to say that honest sound is our band’s credo. Probably the biggest challenge in producing a studio release for small bands like ours is money. Studio time, no matter what anyone says, is always expensive. And we need to approach the recording process as prepared as possible, with a clear understanding of what we want to hear in the finished track and how to achieve it all in the first take, because the cost of a mistake is another recording session.
We were very lucky to find a recording studio in Minsk with excellent equipment, where true professionals work, who understand our needs without unnecessary discussions.”

Vladimir: “Yep – money is the only challenge”

Alexey: “That’s right. And all that’s left is to choose the right and balanced sound for the instruments. That’s the job of our mix engineer.”

You’ve said you wanted an organic soundscape that “breathes with the listener.” How does your gear selection or the way you set up your microphones in the room help create that physical sensation of breathing room?

Elisey: “As I mentioned, we were very lucky to find a wonderful recording studio where the engineer perfectly understands what equipment we need, how it should be arranged, and which devices should be connected to the console. In such a business, every little detail matters, and it’s these small details that should create the feeling in the listener that we’re right there, playing right in front of them.”

Alexey: “The main thing is that it works. As for the equipment used, let’s keep it a secret (*smile).”

Vladimir: “The further the microphone is from the amp, the more space there is”. laughs

You are proudly based in Minsk, Belarus, a city with its own rich cultural texture. How does the atmosphere and changing seasons of your hometown filter into the melancholic yet hopeful indie rock style of “Даже”?

Natalia: “Minsk is a city like many others. It has the same weather as many other cities. It’s strange that many people think Minsk is some kind of cradle of melancholy (*laughs).
The changing seasons don’t affect songwriting. What matters is your inner state. We’re more than adapted to climate change.”

Alexey: “It’s simple here – after winter comes spring, and so it is in the song – after a quiet verse comes an explosive chorus.”

This is your sixth official single. Looking back at your first release versus where you stand on May 24, 2026, what is the biggest thing you had to “strip away” personally to keep your music authentic?

Elisey: “I’ll take the liberty of speaking for everyone here. I guess everyone has to sacrifice their opinion sometimes. Often, someone has to admit that their creative idea isn’t the best. It just so happens that each of us has very different musical tastes and visual preferences, but it’s precisely this, and the strength to negotiate, that makes our music authentic.”

Alexey: “The main thing you need to give up is unnecessary advice from critics laughs”

Vladimir: “I had to give up my Friday evening free time, and sacrifice health for my back. Carrying guitars and pedals from studio to studio is taking a toll on my back.”

The track explicitly tackles shifting life goals. Is there a specific dream or goal you held tightly as younger musicians that you’ve had to gracefully let go of to make room for who Filipovich is today?

Natalia: “We never gave up on our dream of becoming FILIPOVICH. All members are passionate about the band, and working on material and promotion is a priority. This is probably the dream we were working toward. Despite all the difficulties, we are moving forward and will continue to do so because realizing the band’s potential is our top priority.”

Vladimir: “I wanted to be a bassist.”

Alexey: “You can’t give up on your dreams! That’s FILIPOVICH! Dream and create!”

The lyrics touch on the sense of loss as people and places fade away. If “Даже” were the soundtrack to a film, what kind of imagery or cinematic scene do you envision playing out during the bridge of the song?

Natalia: “It would probably be something post-apocalyptic. Where the main character regains consciousness after some cataclysm, completely lost, possibly with memory lapses, and tries to find other survivors and remember who he is.”

Alexeyr: “It would probably be a movie where the hero runs around the city looking for a loved one.”

Vladimir: “It would be awesome if our song was on the soundtrack to Fight Club.”

You noted that the track is about seeing who you really are when the noise stops. When you finish a high-energy live performance and the stage lights go down, who is Filipovich in that sudden silence?

Natalia: “After a live, energetic performance, Filipovich remains energetic. A sudden silence can overtake each of us individually, and it’s always productive for our creativity.
After the shows, we continue working in the rehearsal room, continuing to work on new songs — this process never truly stops.”

Vladimir: “We need to keep working and creating so we don’t end up in silence after the concert.”

Alexey: “We become ordinary people, just like the ones you see around you.”

When the final chord of “Даже” rings out and the track finishes on a streaming platform, what is the first thought or realization you want a listener to have about their own journey through change?

Natalia: “Everyone sometimes experiences a feeling of emptiness within themselves. Everyone sometimes feels afraid of uncertainty. Above all, the song should convey to the listener that no one is alone in this. That there is no need to fear these periods and states. All growth comes through pain. In the end, everything will be alright.”

Vladimir: “It’s never too late to make changes in your life. You can start by adding our tracks to your playlist.”

Alexey: “I’d like the listener to understand that they can do it! The most important thing for all of us is to believe and pursue our goals.”

Summary

At its core, “Даже” is a beautifully human look at resilience. Filipovich reminds us that while stepping away from the digital safety nets of the modern studio is expensive, exhausting, and physically demanding, it is the only way to capture the unfiltered truth of a band playing in a room together. By choosing live dynamics over synthetic compression and compromise over creative ego, they have delivered a track that acts as a mirror for our shared uncertainties. In the end, Filipovich turns the quiet anxiety of change into an anthem of encouragement—proving that when the noise stops, what remains is more than enough to start again.