Interview: life on marx

For this edition, I had the pleasure of speaking with life on marx, the ambient project of Belarus-born artist Dmitri Koteshov. Now based in Georgia, Dmitri blends guitars, field recordings, and synth layers to create dreamy, melancholic soundscapes. His music feels like the forgotten soundtrack to abandoned spaces and distant coastlines. In this interview, he talks about his creative process, influences, and how nature fuels his work.

General info

Artist Name: life on marx

Real name: Dmitri Koteshov

Age: 43

Location: Georgia (country)

Social Media / Music Links

instagram.com/dee.koteshov

soundcloud.com/life_on_marx

lifeonmarx1.bandcamp.com

Spotify

How long have you been making music?

Since 2003

Do you release music under a label or independently?

Labels and independently.

Creative process and inspiration

What drew you to ambient music in the first place?

When I was around 14 or 15, I stumbled upon Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music for Airports. At the time, I was deep into metal, so this record felt completely alien to me. To be honest, I didn’t quite get it. But there was something about it, a feeling I couldn’t shake. It stuck with me.

Years later, I started exploring abandoned places - old factories, empty houses, forgotten spaces - and ambient music became the perfect soundtrack for those trips. That’s how I really got into it.

Can you describe your creative process when starting a new track?

First, I get this kind of anxious energy, like I have to pick up my guitar and play. Most of my music comes from improvisation. Usually, I’ll do no more than two takes for each part. After that, I layer in a few more elements - synths, percussion, and field recordings (some I find online, others I record myself).

The funny thing is, I often have no idea how I played certain parts. I’ll listen back and think, "Wait, how did I even do that? It never stops surprising me".

Where do you find inspiration? Emotion, nature, science fiction, or something else?

Nature and landscapes are my biggest sources of inspiration. I even recorded an EP entirely dedicated to seven places in my home country, Belarus.

How would you describe your sonic identity or the mood you aim to create?

Dreamy, a bit psychedelic - something that feels right at home in an abandoned house by the sea.

Are there any artists that deeply influenced your style?

If we speak about ambient-related artists, it would be William Basinski, Steve Roach, Pauline Oliveros, Fennesz, Brian Eno, and early Pink Floyd, to name a few.

Gear and setup

Are you using hardware, software, or a hybrid setup?

I only use hardware and Ableton to record it.

What’s your favorite piece of gear or plugin, and why?

Not sure, I use mostly guitars, various guitar pedals, and a Korg synthesiser.

Challenges

What’s been the biggest challenge so far in creating ambient music?

I wouldn’t call myself a strictly ambient musician: my music doesn’t fully stick to that label. But to answer your question… Sometimes the result of my experimentations just feels mediocre. It might sound okay, technically, but it lacks depth.

How do you stay motivated or inspired when you're in a creative rut?

I just go places, spend time outside, and things come naturally. If I were to give any advice, it’d be this: don’t force it. Don’t torture yourself or feel pressured to create. Sometimes, you just need to wait. Let it come to you.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks for having me, and a big virtual hug to every original, non-compliant musician out there. You’re making something meaningful in this increasingly predictable world we’re all living in. Keep going.