Today we’d like to introduce you to Konstantin Batygin.
Konstantin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born in the heart of the Soviet Union, my early childhood whisked me to Japan due to my father’s job as a nuclear physicist. From Russian winters to Japanese springs, I absorbed varied cultural influences. In middle school, a move to California brought me face-to-face with its vibrant, free-spirited culture, igniting a spark for music that led to my first band.
Parallel to my musical pursuits, my fascination with the cosmos guided me through astrophysics studies at UC Santa Cruz and Caltech, postdoctoral work in France and Boston, and eventually brought me back to Caltech as a professor. Throughout this journey, music remained my steadfast companion, resulting in the band I cherish, The Seventh Season. Now, after years of persistence, we are excitedly releasing a wealth of music this summer: a studio album “Remembrance,” an acoustic collection “Sketches,” and another studio album “Starlight”.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been far from smooth, but I believe it’s the bumps and turns in the road that makes it exciting and enriching. Smooth roads might be easier to travel, but they rarely lead to the most interesting destinations.
Learning Japanese and English, adapting to new cultures, and balancing the rigors of astrophysics research with my passion for music – all these challenges were integral parts of my journey. The process of embracing new languages and cultures was also fascinating, providing me with fresh perspectives and enriching my personal and creative life.
Meanwhile, pursuing research in astrophysics demanded intense focus and commitment. Keeping pace with the rapidly advancing field was challenging, but also invigorating at every step.
Parallel to my academic endeavors, my musical journey spelled constant evolution. Every day brought an opportunity to grow – writing more, playing more, and learning more. In the end, these challenges, whether they were linguistic, cultural, academic, or musical, were all stepping stones, pushing me to grow, adapt, and most importantly, to never stop exploring.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my life, I find myself navigating the world of science as well as the world of music. As an astrophysicist at Caltech, I’m part of the ever-evolving conversation about the mysteries of our cosmic home. It’s a path that constantly challenges and surprises me, and I’m just grateful to be able to participate and share these discoveries with the research group I lead.
On the other side, there’s my band, The Seventh Season. We make music that stems from our collective experiences and diverse backgrounds. I write songs that reflect my own journey, hoping to connect with listeners on a personal level. It’s just a way of expressing myself and sharing a bit of who I am.
If I were to choose something I’m proud of, it’s the simple fact that I’ve had the opportunity to pursue both of these passions. It’s not about accolades or achievements, but about being able to do what I love every day – understanding the universe a bit more and creating music that someone, somewhere might find meaningful.
I guess what differentiates me is just this blend of interests – being in academia and playing in a band. It’s not a unique path by any means, but it does give me a somewhat different lens to view the world through. Both the sciences and the arts offer their own insights and I’m fortunate enough to get to explore both.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Embrace wisdom from those who’ve walked the path before you and achieved their goals. Ignore negativity and doubters. Remember, every successful journey has its share of challenges and naysayers. Stay focused and true to your passion. And always stay curious.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theseventhseason.band
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.seventh.season/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theseventhseason
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/konstantin-batygin-38639415
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbatygin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeventhSeason-mb8by
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/konstantin-batygin
- Other: https://www.konstantinbatygin.com
Image Credits
Michael Wong, Olga Batygin
