Аффинаж (Affinage Band)

Аффинаж (Affinage Band) is a Russian band formed in Saint Petersburg in March 2012, working in a self-defined genre they call noir-chanson — a synthesis of classical Russian urban song, Russian folklore and rock tradition, Western dark folk, 1990s alternative rock and contemporary indie. The core lineup features Mikhail «Em» Kalinin on vocals, lyrics, acoustic guitar and ukulele, Alexander Evdokimov («Sasha Om») on trombone and second vocals, Sergei Shilyaev («Sergeich») on bass and backing vocals, and Alexander Koryukovets on accordion and other instruments.

The band's sound is distinguished by its unusual instrumentation — trombone and accordion sitting alongside guitar and bass — and by Kalinin's theatrical, narrative-driven vocal delivery, giving the music a cabaret-like, storytelling quality distinct from mainstream Russian rock and pop. Tracks such as «Котик», «Солнце», «Мечта» and «Нью-Йорк» showcase this blend of intimate lyricism and folk-rock energy that has defined their catalog since the mid-2010s.

Over the 2010s Аффинаж steadily built a following through singles and music videos rather than mainstream radio, cultivating a distinctive niche within Russia's alternative and indie-rock scene. Their genre-blending approach — rooted in Saint Petersburg's tradition of literary, bard-influenced songwriting fused with rock instrumentation — has made them a recognizable name among fans of Russian alternative music.