WHAT IS RUSH
The RUSH initiative (or Russian Music Export Initiative) is a non-profit, non-government organization whose goal is to promote young and promising Russian musicians on the international cultural scene. Having combined the functions of the music export office with professional consulting services, RUSH has brought together domestic and international music experts to select the most pro
mising Russian musical talents, and to promote and integrate them into the global community. HOW RUSH OPERATES
RUSH operates on democratic selection principles, where the agency's experts compile a list of Russian musicians across all genres with the greatest export potential, with the final selection made by internal ballot. To promote these musicians, RUSH will be present at the key international music festivals, organize showcases of Russian music abroad, lobby on behalf of Russian talents with international music-industry professionals, and conduct musician promo campaigns on international markets. The RUSH agency is a non-profit organization that will finance its work through crowdfunding and work with sponsors, art patrons, and cultural foundations. RUSH was born in the bowels of the independent music scene in Russia, and is open to cooperation with the media and experienced specialists in music production and promotion who have knowledge of the international music scene and an interest in emerging artists and promoting new talent. RUSH welcomes professionals who share the agency's main objective: to develop the Russian music scene and to promote Russian artists internationally. RUSH EXPERT COUNCIL
Artemy Troitsky ‒ patriarch of Russia’s music journalism
Ilya Lagutenko ‒ leader of the Mumiy Troll band; ideologist of Vladivostok showcase festival V-Rox
Alexander Cheparukhin ‒ music producer and promoter; general director of GreenWave Music; producer of the festivals WOMAD Russia, Creation of the World, and many others
Denis Boyarinov ‒ one of Russia’s leading music journalists; editor of the Contemporary Music section at colta.ru; and curator of the indie project Dark Horses
Tatyana Makarova ‒ programme director of prominent Moscow live venues Solyanka, EMA, and Krugozor
Veronika Belousova ‒ organizer and co-founder of the SOUND UP festival, a live platform for the promotion of new musical talents working outside the mainstream
