1314

1314 was a Saint Petersburg/Berlin–based art-pop and electronic band founded by Russian-born artist Gene Bogolepov, active from 2013 through the late 2010s as a key phase in Bogolepov’s artistic evolution.

Formed after earlier projects such as T-Lazarus and Gender ID, 1314 marked a shift toward a more intimate, song-driven sound blending indie pop, synth-based production, and alternative rock influences. The band’s music carried a distinctive emotional tone shaped by contrasts between Soviet-era cultural memory and contemporary Western underground aesthetics.

1314 was a collaborative band built around Bogolepov as vocalist, songwriter, and producer, alongside three core members and co-writers: Andrian Lebedev (co-writing, production, keyboards), Dimitri Klochkov (co-writing, guitars, bass, synths, percussion), and Andrey Yegorov (co-writing, drums). Their combined contributions defined the project’s sonic identity – layered, melodic, and emotionally direct.

The band’s work frequently explored themes of identity, alienation, desire, and resilience, reflecting Bogolepov’s personal experiences and broader sociopolitical tensions. Songs such as “Mother Russia” carried explicit political undertones, critiquing authoritarianism and contributing to the circumstances that led Bogolepov to leave Russia and later settle in Germany.

A significant and tragic loss marked the project’s history: Andrian Lebedev died in 2021 in an accident alongside his partner, Maria Zelentsova, a designer who closely collaborated with Bogolepov during that era and created the artist’s visual logo.

The project culminated in the 2020 album 1314 LP, a 12-track release that captured the band’s signature balance of melancholic introspection and cathartic pop structure. Often described as “an empty space between two eras,” the record stands as a transitional work bridging Bogolepov’s earlier underground output and later solo material.

Today, 1314 is remembered as a fully realised band and a pivotal chapter in Bogolepov’s trajectory – one that fused personal narrative, collaborative songwriting, and politically charged art pop into a distinct and lasting body of work.

Gigography (selected highlights):

Between 2015 and 2016, 1314 maintained an active touring schedule across Russia and Europe, performing in cities including Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Berlin, Vienna, Tampere, Stockholm, and Helsinki. Their tours—The ‘13’ Tour, The Ministry of Secrets Tour, and The Matter Tour—included appearances at venues such as 16 Tons (Moscow), Alexandrinsky Theatre New Stage (Saint Petersburg), and international festivals like Waves Vienna and Lost in Music (Tampere), as well as support shows with artists such as Marnie of Ladytron.

Indie Pop / Darkwave

Website

1314 (LP)