IN CONVERSATION WITH DIMASH QUDAIBERGEN

interview by JANA LETONJA

With a voice that defies limits and artistry that transcends borders, Dimash Qudaibergen has become one of the most extraordinary performers of our time. On 5th October, he will make history as the first Kazakh artist to headline Madison Square Garden, a milestone stop on his global ‘Stranger World Tour’. Celebrated for his six-octave vocal range and seamless fusion of Kazakh folk, classical, and pop, Dimash has captivated audiences from Beijing to London to Mexico City, performing in over a dozen languages and across multiple genres. Beloved worldwide by his devoted fan base, the “Dears,” Dimash’s influence extends beyond music to cultural diplomacy and humanitarian work. As he prepares for this landmark New York concert, Dimash reflects on his journey from Kazakhstan to the world stage, his mission as a global artist, and the limitless possibilities of the human voice.

You’re about to become the first Kazakh artist to headline Madison Square Garden. What does this milestone mean to you personally and artistically?

I’m delighted to greet my dear fans from New York, as well as from other cities and countries. My first solo concert in New York took place in 2019, as part of a different tour, ‘Arnau’. Six years later, we have returned to this legendary city to perform on a stage that has witnessed hundreds of thousands of shining eyes and hosted some of the world’s greatest artists. This is, of course, a great responsibility for us, as we have not only brought a brand-new program, but also aim to give the audience a deeper insight into the culture of our homeland. My team includes not only vocalists, but also dancers and musicians who play a variety of instruments, including our traditional ones.

How do you prepare yourself mentally and vocally for such a historic performance?

Vocal training is a constant process. I’m used to practicing every day. In addition, I do physical workouts, which I try to intensify before a tour so that I can cross the stage from one end to the other dozens of times during a concert. And mentally, I don’t need any special preparation as our mood is already great, and we’re actively getting ready for the show. What truly helps is the teamwork, the same dedicated group of professionals who have been performing with me around the world for several years.

What can fans expect from your ‘Stranger World Tour’ stop in New York compared to other shows around the globe?

Every concert is special to me, but a show in New York is a truly meaningful occasion for us. Some songs will be performed in New York for the very first time on this tour, while the rest, well, you’ll have to see for yourselves. We aim to give a massive audience everything we’ve got, hoping to surprise them and create a few hours where they can forget all their worries and troubles. Music has that power, and I’m certain it will.

Your six-octave range is legendary. What do you consider the key to maintaining such a powerful and versatile voice?

The Almighty has given me certain gifts, and it would be meaningless not to develop them. That’s why I have been learning and training, especially vocally, for the past 26 years. As they say in Kazakhstan, “Without hardship, there is no ease. Without work, there is no life”. So, we simply work, keep learning, and then work some more.

You move seamlessly between Kazakh folk, classical, opera, and pop. How do you approach blending such different musical worlds?

To be honest, I don’t do anything particularly special, I just follow the inspiration that comes while working on a piece. Different ideas for the arrangement appear, the team suggests things, and I hear certain instruments in my head. For example, in the song ‘Smoke’, I immediately felt like adding the sound of the dombra. I was on a creative trip in Los Angeles at the time, and since I had the dombra with me, we could try the idea right away. 

I’ve always been drawn to neoclassical music, and I love exploring its emotional depth and versatility. Blending Kazakh folk, classical, opera, and pop comes naturally to me, because I approach each piece with the feeling it calls for.

You sing in more than 12 languages. Do certain languages inspire different emotions or styles in your performances?

Certainly, performing a song in a foreign language immediately immerses you in the history and culture of that country. It brings to mind the knowledge I gained in college and university, as well as melodies characteristic of a particular culture. So yes, I do believe that a specific language can inspire a range of emotions.

Many fans first discovered you through ‘Singer’ in China in 2017. Looking back, how did that moment shape your international career?

When I was invited to the ‘Singer’ competition, people thought that the 22-year-old “imported little brother,” as they called me, would only last a couple of rounds and attract some fresh attention to the show. In the end, however, I made it all the way to the finals and had the opportunity to perform songs in Kazakh, Russian, Italian, English, French, and, for the first time, Chinese, all in front of the huge audience of Hunan TV. That moment remains one of the most unforgettable in my life. The morning after the first episode aired, I woke up famous.

You’ve shared the stage with icons like Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, and Lara Fabian. What did you learn from those experiences?

I’m not fond of the word “star,” but these people are true stars. Not in the sense often used to describe celebrities, but each of them is a shining light in the sky of our world. They are sources of warmth, culture, and mastery, exemplars of endless creative pursuit. I feel fortunate to have experienced their talent and to have performed on the same stage with them.

You’ve been called a cultural ambassador for Kazakhstan. How do you balance celebrating your Kazakh identity with connecting to audiences worldwide?

My fans are exactly what helps me maintain balance. Dears are a truly unique family, people who speak different languages, yet share an interest in Kazakh culture. They sing Kazakh songs, learn to play our traditional instruments, visit Kazakhstan, and explore its historical sites. I am deeply grateful to my fans for not only supporting my music but also for embracing and learning about our culture.

What do you feel is the most powerful thing music can do for people beyond entertainment?

Music is a universal language. Everyone can understand it, even without words. It’s a form of entertainment that can make you reflect on important things, or, on the contrary, temporarily free you from heavy thoughts and allow you to rest.

For many, music is like medicine. There are countless examples of how it helps patients and people who have lost their sense of purpose in life. Music can also be a tool to influence large groups of people, the key is to use that influence positively.

I honestly don’t know what life would be like without music. It would probably be a very different world.

You’re preparing to launch an international talent search competition with Hunan TV. What excites you most about this project?

Just a few days ago, before flying to New York, we completed filming this project in Kazakhstan. It’s a reality show in collaboration with Hunan Broadcasting System, not just a talent competition. We tried to combine a vocal contest, featuring singers from China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Italy, Serbia, and Kyrgyzstan, with a broad showcase of Kazakhstan’s history, geography, and culture. As the creator of the project, I was especially excited to see the beauty of our homeland through the eyes of international participants. At the same time, I sincerely hope that, thanks to Hunan TV’s multi-million audience, another international star will emerge from our own country.

Where do you see your music evolving in the next few years? Do you envision new genres, new languages, or even new art forms?

New forms of art, interesting. Does that mean starting to paint, creating sculptures, or walking a tightrope? I’ve jumped on a trampoline, flown under a dome. You can definitely think about trying something new.

And in music, so many things catch my interest. There’s so much new emerging things every minute that trying to predict several years ahead just doesn’t make sense. I think it’s actually exciting to observe yourself, to see where fate will take you next. What you’ll hear, see, or feel, what will influence your perception of the world, and maybe turn your creative thinking 180 degrees, or even a full 360. We’ll live and see.