FAQ

What is ACOU?

Acou is my pseudonym, off-stage they call me Timour Moukanov, and my official name is totally different! ACOU is also the name of the group and my nickname in early childhood.

Two words about yourself?

I was born in Kyrgyzstan, grew up in Moscow, studied at University of foreign languages, majoring in English. Later worked as a tour guide, international projects coordinator, manager. In 2002, all of a sudden, started writing songs in French,

Why French?

Search me!! It was my second foreign language at University. I've never composed any music, never wrote any French texts. One cannot explain it logically. However, wait a minute - I started writing songs when I had a romantic affair with a pretty lady.

Do translations exit?

Yes, they do. Russian ones, they were written later, mainly to let those people who do not know French have a notion what a song is about. The translations are frivolous; they give a peculiar taste to the song.

Does somebody edit the texts?

Yes, I mentioned them at the site. It happens like this: I sing a song, and then he or she says: "You don't need an article here" or "Think of a better word there", and I make suggestions, and finally we come to agreement. There could be one or two such corrections per song.

What are your songs about?

It is a sight of a cosmopolitan, who has traveled around the world, at Moscow life and its people. Songs are inspired by works of my favorite film directors, singers, poets and writers. Another big source of inspiration is women, both those I know and the ones passing in the street.

What are your other activities?

I play small roles at cinema and TV, I am also an active member of the "Society of Cinema Museum Friends" movement

Have you got a specialized education?

None, neither vocal, nor musical, nor acting. I learned myself playing guitar at the age of 12.

How would you call your music?

Some of the songs could be called ballads, some journalists called our music "French blues" and "Melodic folk-rock". As a matter of fact I don't care much about it.

What is the line-up of the group?

Actually there are three of them: the first - me and guitar, the second and principal at the moment - acoustic band: lead-singer Maria Korablina, Yarosslav Kisslov on guitar and Vladimir "Big" Glushko on percussions. The third line-up, electric, is temporarily frozen.

Are songs in three line-ups the same?

They might coincide at 10 per cent. We sing different songs in each line-up.

What guitar have you got?

All songs are written on an acoustic Japanese "Aria". I bought it in 1995 in Brussels while on a business trip. In 2006 I bought an electric-acoustic "Ibanez". I hope to buy a "Gibson" one day.