Fan of the Month!
Interviewed by Kayt

For the record, what is your name?
Dina Pesenson

Where were you born,and where did you grow up?
Was born in Saratov, Russia and lived there until I was thirteen, then my whole family moved to Los Angeles and we’ve been there for thirteen years – so half-half. See, I lived so close to Red Elvises’ area for so long and only found out about them when I moved to New Mexico… So sad.

What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise, growing up? Any obsessions you don’t mind people knowing about? The only thing I can think of that I’ve always, always loved and wanted to do was play in the water – river, lake, ocean doesn’t matter. I love swimming, surfing, windsurfing, just paddling around in the seaweed if it’s too flat to actually surf. The only thing I don’t think I want to do is scuba dive (I like light too much, so going down to the deep and dark…not my thing).

Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play…
Well, my parents asked me if I wanted to play piano when I was…6? I think, and apparently I said yes (I was reminded of that for the next 3-4 years) so that was followed by 3 (or 4 – can’t recall, blocked it out) years of music school, which involved piano lessons (which were as horrible for my teacher as it was for me and my parents), choir (my teacher told me to open my mouth but not make any sounds PLEASE) and solfeggio which was the only part which was sometimes fun. By about age eleven I managed to forget that music experience and took some lassic guitar lessons (to play Beatles and be ‘cool’). That was actually fun, and I can play a little, but any sort of singing is out of the question – it horrifies other people (and me). Now I really want to get a drum set. I know I’ll love it but it could be a disaster for everyone else, but that’s ok, I won’t be able to afford one for a while anyway.

What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
1. I’m very proud of my parents bringing us to the US – it was very difficult for them. (ok, not really my accomplishment, but I’m really proud of them.)
2. The fact that my husband, Andy, and I have been very happy together for almost 8 years.
3. Bungee jumping in New Zealand

What are your favorite movies?
So many of them, I’ll just name the ones I re-watched most recently: “Fletch,” “Say Anything.”

Do you have any favorite books?
Also too many to name, lots of them in Russian (or Russian translations). The ones I’ve read here and liked: all the Harry Potters, all of Douglas Adams, “The Red Tent,” can’t think of any others right now…Oh, I’m reading the “Parrot’s Theorem” by Denis Guedj, it’s not for everyone but I love it.

What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
Anything hyper and not country. Although, at this point it’s mostly Red Elvises, because I was trying to think what music I have in my car and realized that I have 6-disc changer and all six are Red Elvises CDs!!!! I’m just rotating the different ones in every now and then! The only one I don’t have at this point is “Russian Belly Dance.”

When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
My brother, Igor (yes, Igor) and his girlfriend, Romany, came to visit me Summer 2003 and brought the Six String Samurai soundtrack with them -- curiously enough, Romany found it under the washing machine in her apartment when she moved in. We all loved it. As soon as they left, I bought myself that soundtrack and started waiting for November when Red Elvises were coming to Santa Fe.

About how many times have you seen them?
Unfortunately, only that time in November 2003 so far – they were awesome!

What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
I love their crazy energy, the mix of surf and folk music in parts, Igor’s gap in the front teeth, Oleg’s psychotic (but very cute) smile, and of course the wonderful Russian accent (and occasional Russian lyrics in there). Oh, and man, Igor can dance!

What’s the furthest you’ve traveled to see them? And do you have a good story around that?
So far just to Santa Fe, but we are planning to be driving out to Phoenix in April and May for the two concerts there. That would be about eight hours drive.

Which show is your favorite out of all the Red Elvises shows you've seen?
Well, seeing as how I’ve only been to one, it’s the one in Santa Fe. I thought it was great – they had the worst luck that night, the warm up band cancelled last minute and it wasn’t horribly crowded seeing as how it was the night after Halloween, but they managed to get everyone dancing and screaming right away – they are absolutely wonderful with audiences! People danced the entire time (not something that happens at that club often). And Oleg gave me a kiss on the cheek!!! And found one of their older Russian CD’s and gave it to me!! And he took a picture with me and my friend Elena, although it was his camera so I don’t have it…but he did, I swear!! And then I went crazy and bought most of their CD’s and shirts (hey, you have to get Christmas gifts early!) and then Igor asked me which CD I haven’t bought yet, and then gave it to me.

Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you’ve seen so far?
Pretty much what I said above.

What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
I love them all, but off the top of my head right now “Rocket Man” and that remake of Chuck Berry’s “Rock & Roll Music” – you have to hear it to believe it!

What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas? Anything you’d like to say to the band?
It would be nice to have some new band shirts, particularly in size (smaller is good). I like the current ones, but I already have them all.

And to Igor and Oleg: you guys are awesome and we can’t wait until we see you again!!!!!!!!!

Okay, last question… Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
The fans always write to the guest book and ask Red Elvises to come to their town, well, I think we should all try to buy as many of their CDs and merchandise as we can – it takes money to travel all over the place all the time and be comfortable so you don’t go crazy and can keep it up for all the fans!