Nadya Tolokonnikova On Pussy Riot'S New Album, Politics, And Onlyfans Hustle

Pussy Riot's New Musical Journey

When art sparks more art, the result is often a whirlwind of creativity. For Nadya Tolokonnikova, the fierce leader of Pussy Riot, this whirlwind has birthed a daring new album, 'Cyka.' After the intense experience of her 'Police State' installation at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, Tolokonnikova found herself drawn back to music production.

“I didn’t really know how to relax after that, so I had to pick a hobby and that was making sounds," Tolokonnikova shares. "I was making soundscapes, producing the soundtrack for the art show, and I really got into production. I missed it once I got out of the performance situation.”

An Album Born from Resistance

The album title, 'Cyka,' is a bold Russian word for "bitch," hinting at the raw power of its tracks. Not one to shy away from controversy, Tolokonnikova includes soundbites from Russian leader Vladimir Putin, a nod to their long-standing adversarial relationship. The album also features collaborations with musical heavyweights like M. Shadows and Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold and B-Real from Cypress Hill.

Tolokonnikova's journey hasn't been without its struggles. Her performance art was disrupted by protests in Los Angeles following ICE raids, an experience that deeply impacted her music. "I was actively participating in protests, helping some friends of mine who got detained by ICE," she recalls.

“ICE showed their face as being on the side of evil, [going to] kindergartens and even churches to catch people as they leave their Sunday service. What kind of person does this shit?”

Funding Art Through Unconventional Means

Known for her candidness, Tolokonnikova is open about using OnlyFans to fund her music. She criticizes the music industry for stifling creativity and feels that sex work is more honest. “I tried with a couple of music labels but it’s horrifying,” she admits.

Despite the challenges, Tolokonnikova remains hopeful. Her album 'Cyka' is peppered with optimistic tracks like "Utopia" and "God Loves the Fierce," encouraging listeners to envision a brighter future. "I think it’s still very important to personally have strength… and it’s very useful to think about the future and imagining the positive version of the future," she says.

For more on Pussy Riot’s latest endeavors and Tolokonnikova's upcoming tour dates, visit their official site at pussyriot.love.