PEV is going international once again – in a big way. We welcome one of the biggest pop stars in Russia, George Hodos – the newest import to the states with credentials that go on for miles. Between a Russian chart-topping smash (“Where Do I Go”), regular appearances on Russian radio, VH1, and Musicbox as well as on several magazine covers, Hodos was even named one of the “Top 50 Men of Russia”! Huge!

George caught on fast after being spotted at a very young age, touring with the children’s opera, “The Garden”, leading to several scholarships to attend the highest regarded music conservatory in Russia: The Russian Academy of Theatre Arts. After graduating at the top of his class with honors, George struck it huge in 2001, when he was invited to sing a solo concert in the Opera Theater of Boris Pokrovsky (one of the most famous opera directors in Russia), just in front of Red Square! Hodos says “Usually the first performances for new Artists take places in small clubs or bars, but amazingly I'd been invited to perform in the opera theater for a 2 hour solo concert. No one in Russia from the pop scene before that had ever been granted to sing in the opera theater.”

And now “The Voice” from Russia is bringing along a few records to the U.S., including his debut, aptly titled “The Voice”, as well as a new collection, “George Hodos – Just A Man”. We asked George for some more insight on his music: “With so much ‘manufactured’ pop music in the market place right now, I’m trying to keep with the depth of music I am accustomed to coming from Russia. I’m trying to keep to topics and messages that come from my heart and my experiences. I’ve been through a lot and learned a lot and all the songs on my album are songs that come from those experiences.”

Hodos will be moving to Hollywood to begin investigating the American scene, and as Hodos says, “It’s definitely different here in the U.S., but the same rules apply… at the end of the day, good music DOES still speak for itself.” There’s a whole lot more below, so keep reading for the answers to the XXQ’s.

XXQs: George Hodos

PensEyeView.com (PEV): What goes through your head the minute you walk onto stage?

George Hodos (GH): It's always the same. My mind is racing before,  but when I walk out, I’m overcome with a sense of calmness and gratitude that I’m so blessed to be able to be able to exchange love through music. It’s unbelievable! I could not compare this feeling to anything else in life.

PEV: Calling Russia home, what made you first jump into the music industry there and what were you listening to when you were growing up?

G.H.: It was my first solo public event in Moscow in 2001. I was invited to sing my own solo concert in the Opera Theater of Boris Pokrovsky (one of the most famous opera directors in Russia) which is located just in front of Red Square full of great musical traditions. At the time, I had just come to the capital with plans to be a successful artist in Russia. Usually the first performances for new Artists take places in small clubs or bars,  but amazingly I'd been invited to perform in the opera theater for a 2 hour solo concert. The director of that show told the media that I deserved to be presented the same way and in the same place where they usually present serious classical talents because it's not just pop music. They called it “true art and real beauty”. This was a big favor for me because it helped my name become associated with a high level of professionalism and I've been treated as a very serious artist since that day. No one in Russia from the pop scene before that had ever been granted to sing in the opera theater.

The music I listened to changed as I grew up mostly in “New Russia” after the Soviet Union had been broken. The “dark curtains” rolled away and great artists from all over the world came to Russian TV and Russian music stores. The biggest inspiration of my youth was Tina Turner. (Who I still go back and listen to and watch her interviews.) Also the beautiful, clean and magic voice of Whitney Houston and of course, Michael Jackson.

PEV: What kind of environment do you surround yourself in to create music?

G.H.: Honestly, I don’t really need any particular special environment to create…just inspiration. I am always traveling to a lot of different places. So, over time I’ve trained myself to work anywhere and to a get a great result despite the environment (whether I like it or not). I really just draw from my own energy.

PEV: What can fans expect from a live George Hodos show?

G.H.: A beautiful, intelligent show full of great, sincere music from my heart.

PEV: Tell us about your first live performance. How have you changed since that first show to where you are now?

G.H.: Wow, that was long time ago. I was 6 years old and I sung the lead role of a children’s opera. That was my first real public performance. I can’t say that I’ve really changed much.  When I walk out on stage, I am mostly concentrating on my craft and my responsibilities to thoroughly entertain the people. I’ve mostly just changed in growth through experience, which has made me wiser.

PEV: What do you find to be the hardest part about breaking into the music scene in the U.S.?

GH: That’s a tough one to answer right now because I am just getting transitioned here. Thank God I have an amazing production/management team-The Alumni Entertainment Group. They’ve been handling all the ground work and helping pave the path for me to the States. It’s definitely a different “scene” here in the U.S., but the same rules apply. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been received with open arms by all the industry professionals here and, at the end of the day, good music DOES still speak for itself.

PEV: What have you found to be the biggest difference and similarity between the U.S. and the Russian fans?

GH: First of all, I have to say that I love all of my Russian fans very much and I’m very thankful to them for the years of support and love. They made my life fulfilling because you can't truly feel happy if you have nobody to share your happiness, your experience and your feelings with. I had thousand who were listening to my stories trough the music. Russians listen to music with their hearts. They sense if you are honest or not and if you understand what you are singing about. I would say the Americans are more musically educated. And this is what I just love about them. They know a lot about the style, the vocal technique, the musical quality. They can really the quality of music and the singers. I think it because they have been blessed by such an enormous amount of great singers and musicians. I am really exited to find my way into their hearts and ears.

PEV: Referred to as “The Voice” in Russia, you found great success with your debut album, which was aptly titled “The Voice.” What can fans expect from this work?

GH: The NEW happy and inspired George Hodos. They can expect the same recognizable style with great positive energy, beautiful melodies and amazing arrangements. It’s a great record!

PEV: How is your work different than other music out right now?

GH: It is different.  With so much “manufactured” pop music in the market place right now, I’m trying to keep with the depth of music I am accustomed to coming from Russia. I’m trying to keep to topics and messages that come from my heart and my experiences. I’ve been through a lot and learned a lot and all the songs on my album are songs that come from those experiences. The main topic is LOVE. The mood of my new album for American release is very light and pure. The sound of my voice has changed as well. It has also become lighter. And of course, working with amazing American writers and music producers brought a great deal of help.

PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about George Hodos?

GH: I’m very “ritualistic” when it comes to recording. Before I go into the studio, I have a specific “regiment” I go through which begins a week beforehand involving diet, exercise, meditation, etc. to put me in the right place to deliver my craft at it’s best. Some people think it’s excessive, but it works for me.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you and you were determined to make it happen?

GH: I feel like I’ve always known that. It's always been in my mind. I remember when I was small child my favorite thing was to perform for my family and for guests. It was so natural for me. And it is still where I feel the most comfortable. I feel more natural when I am on stage or in front of the camera then I do in my regular life.

PEV: What one word best describes George Hodos?

GH: “Passionate”.

PEV: Traveling is now a large part of your life as a musician. How is life on the road for you? Best and worst parts? Any fun stories?

GH: I love it now. For quite a while, it’s seemed as if I cannot be away from my business even when I am on the vacation. I constantly have to be reached by email or phone. But when I am in the airplane, I know that this time (usually it's a 13 hour non-stop flight between Moscow and LA, and 10 hours between Moscow and NYC) NOBODY can reach me, or disturb me.  It’s priceless time that I can just dedicate just to myself… and it feels great. I am reading my favorite books, watching good moves, listening music, or sometimes just sleeping. It’s like my “special time”.  Even the last few times I’ve flown, I’ve been so fortunate that although the plane was full, I didn’t have any passengers in the seats next to me and on that long of a flight, you get to spread out and really relax.

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your musical career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

GH: They are very supportive. My family mean everything to me. I’ve been so blessed by my family. And I don't limit myself to give all the best of what I have to my family/friends. All they do is give me love and support. It’s very simple…Everything we give comes back to us.

I love to perform in my hometown. It's special. There is a tradition where I come there once a year and to sing a solo concert. All the income from the tickets I get to give to a local charity. I get to introduce my new songs to all these amazing people and fans and when I look out, I see all these familiar faces that I’ve been seeing for years. I have so much gratitude toward all these people.

PEV: What can we find you doing in your spare time, aside from writing and performing?

GH: Meditating, reading, watching moves and hiking (I love nature).

PEV:  Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?

GH: There are two Artists who really amazed me and who are not yet that well known in the USA: Terrel Carter with his fantastic technique and Atozzio with his velour tone. I see a bright future for both of these guys.

PEV: If playing/writing music was not your perfect career, what would you most likely be doing?

GH: Criminal Psychology. Definitely. I actually studied this when I was in the University, but I still think I might write some interesting novels about it later in my life.

PEV: If we were to walk into your practice studio/space right now, what would we find?

GH: A white Steinway grand piano, lit candles, and hundreds of pieces of paper with song lyrics scribbled on them.

PEV: So, what is next for George Hodos?

GH: All I know is where I’ll be at the end of the day. I’m just living in the now and enjoying it while keeping one foot in front of the other. My next step is moving to Hollywood. What follows that hasn’t been revealed to me yet, we shall soon see.