EMW presents: Marcus Kolga

Tallinn Calling: Jazz, Punk, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Youth Culture in The Soviet Union

VINCENT TEETSOV

Marcus Kolga is a well-known figure in the Estonian community of Toronto. If you aren’t already familiar with him, you should know that he is a political activist, filmmaker, and human rights advocate. His writing has appeared here in Eesti Elu, as well as in The Toronto Star, The National Post, and Maclean’s. You may have heard him speak publicly on the news or at Estonian events.

If you’ve heard a speech from Kolga, you may have been surprised to hear him reference The Clash alongside foreign policy. On one occasion a few years ago, he spoke of the impact that their song “Spanish Bombs” had on him, especially the imagery of a DC 10 plane flying through the night sky. Through ringing acoustic guitar and the popping of the snare drum, the song examines the history of the Spanish Civil War alongside violence in late 70s Spain.

These references aren’t out of context, because at the core of what he frequently discusses is the past and how that informs present day action. The music of The Clash, or any band with punk rock values for that matter, is founded on commentary and knowledge. Not in a textbook, but in the liner notes of an album like The Clash’s third LP, London Calling. The front cover of the album shows Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar on stage. Inside are impassioned tales of rude boys in Jamaica, the flooding of the Thames river, and individualism. Non-conformist? Yes. Loud? Sometimes. Without thought? Absolutely not.

Kolga is not only inspired by the implications of music as a form of communication and art. He’s taken an active part in the music as a member of the band Megapop. The four-piece was formed in 1994 together with Jaan Silmberg (vocals, guitar), Markus Saks (drums, backing vocals), Mart Leppik (bass, keys, backing vocals), and Kolga on guitar, vocals, and accordion. Paul Nanuwa has also been the band’s drummer, percussionist, and backing vocalist later in the band’s journey. Between their 1997 EP Casino Royale (https://megapopmusic. bandcamp.com/album/casino-royale) and their 2015 self ­ titled album, Megapop (https:// megapopmusic.bandcamp.com/ album/megapop) has brought out Britpop sounds. Their tunes are rollicking and cheeky. The band’s grooves and distorted guitar riffs splash and crash like the hair of an audience member in the front row of a concert. Music like this is free and outspoken.

For all of these reasons and more, Kolga is giving a one-of-a-kind lecture on November 25th at 7 PM. It’ll be taking place live, in English, on Estonian Music Week’s Facebook page and the VEMU YouTube channel.

In his lecture, Kolga will guide the night as a rock and roll historian, venturing through the motivations, political climate, and push-back that make up the stories of music behind the Iron Curtain. One such legend is of the Russian band Akvarium (AKA Aquarium), whose rambunctious concert in Tbilisi, Georgia caused a judging committee to walk out of the venue while a great deal of the audience clapped with gusto. For a long time, music in the Soviet Union was seen from an outside-in perspective, like Billy Joel’s 1987 tour of Russia. This lecture is a chance to see it all from the inside-out.

Turn your dial to this lecture if you want to hear about the impressive power of music to make change, or if you’re looking for something new and educational for your Wednesday night.

Marcus Kolga performing in Montréal.