In 2022 Gene Bogolepov celebrated 20 years anniversary of their imminent stage presence. ‘20 Years of Love & Struggle’ tour marked this point, which might seem to be a point of no return, where art is not a luxury any more, but merely a necessity – many attempts to take different paths always brought Gene back to creation. Art became the way to deal with the suffocating grip of capitalist standards and therapy to process their weird, yet exciting life flow.

Their first electro-punk band T-Lazarus, that triggered a wave of electroclash-mania on the underground scene of St. Petersburg in the early 2000’s, managed to draw the attention of Time Out magazine, who praised them for their exquisite melodic talent and provocative, yet honest lyrics. Within less than a year after foundation T-Lazarus became residents and favourites of Tunnel Club – a legendary techno shelter in the heart of old St. Petersburg. The only adequate way to explain what Tunnel Club was like – well, think Berghain of Russia. The band produced three DIY albums and spawned a completely new wave of electronic artists on the local scene.

Then came a serious electro-rock project Gender ID, that delivered Bogolepov’s art to new audiences and broadened their operational geography to the neighbouring European countries. The band toured extensively with solo shows and traveled as a support act with Ladytron, played one-off support shows with Placebo and White Rose Movement, and took part in a few international festivals in Russia, sharing stages with Sparks, She Wants Revenge, Apparat Band, Architecture in Helsinki, Casiokids, Motorama, Michelle Gurevich, Editors, Gotan Project, etc. The band released two albums, two EP’s and a few singles.

2013 saw the re-birth of Gene as 1314 – a stage persona, who is brave enough to share their struggles with full sincerity and passion. In this reincarnation Bogolepov spoke about an experience of their life with HIV, anxiety and loneliness of a queer person in patriarchal society. In 2020 Gene released their album ‘1314’.

In October 2017 Bogolepov released a single titled ‘Mother Russia’, a loud and acute anti-Putin anthem, which triggered an outburst of aggression from right-wing / nationalist / patriotic members of society. After a few unpleasant collisions, in December 2017 they left Russia and moved to Berlin, seeking asylum in Germany.

In July 2019 Gene was recognised as a refugee and started working hard on getting back to their artistic work, which unfortunately was later disrupted by the COVID-pandemic. ‘1314’ LP was released on the 20th of April 2020 and was followed by a series of singles, including a hit single ‘Mother Russia (Beethoven’s Lost Symphony Remix)’ which exposed their art to Berlin’s techno scene.

On the 31st of December 2021 Bogolepov released their latest solo work to the date – an album called ‘Art Brut’, which saw Gene reflecting on the power of art as therapy, where there is no place for judgement. The single ‘Nothing Straight’ dedicated to Marlene Dietrich is described by the artist as the most personal and sincere work they have ever done to this day.

To celebrate their 20 years anniversary Gene went on tour and revisited their older works, bringing the best of what they have created to the new audiences – mixing styles, feelings and memories. The tour included shows in Berlin, Hamburg, Mainz, Rotterdam and Groningen.

At the moment Bogolepov works on their new album due in 2024 and rehearses with their new musicians to bring fresh material to new stages.