Ilya Lagutenko was born in Vladivostok, a city situated at the far eastern end of the Trans-Siberian railway, where the feeling of living on the edge of the world is palpable. His early years were marked by a passion for music, which was nurtured through his involvement in a Soviet choir that performed in Siberian factories, singing songs about Lenin.
After completing his studies at the Far Eastern University, Lagutenko made the bold decision to relocate to London, where he became immersed in the vibrant music scene of Camden Town during the height of Brit-pop. It was here that he formed his band Mumiy Troll, which would go on to achieve unparalleled success in Russia and beyond.
Their debut album, Morskaya, reached number one in Russia and was hailed as a cult record that had a profound impact on the country's pop and rock music landscape. Mumiy Troll was also the first Russian band to appear on Russian MTV, paving the way for future generations of Russian musicians.
Throughout their illustrious career, Mumiy Troll has performed at countless gigs and festivals across the globe, from Siberia to the Baltics, Mongolia to Greenland, and Shanghai open-airs to St Petersburg's Palace Square. Despite their widespread success, the band remains fresh, hungry, and committed to exploring new musical horizons.
In 2013, they released their 11th album in Russian, as well as an English version, which was recorded amidst their relentless touring schedule. Lagutenko's fluency in English and Mandarin has enabled the band to reach a global audience and collaborate with artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Mumiy Troll has performed at numerous prestigious festivals and conferences around the world, including SXSW, Culture Collide, Zandari, and Sound City. Lagutenko is also actively involved in various charitable, social, and environmental initiatives, and has been a long-standing partner of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
