Mikhail Tank is an award-winning artist, author, performer, and creator of Darksoul Theatre, Soul Work, and Magatama AI. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and raised in the United States, Mikhail Tank has spent more than three decades developing an independent body of work spanning music, theatre, spoken word, books, radio, film, and emerging technology. He is the creator of Darksoul Theatre, an original art form rooted in the transformation of darkness into creative expression, and the longtime host of The Archetypal Mosaic (podcast). His work has received numerous honors and recognitions, but most importantly is free from any and all suppression and repression.
With Prima Materia out now, we took some time to hear from Mikhail Tank. Read below to learn more about Mikhail Tank, the story behind Prima Materia, and what’s to come.
Hi Mikhail Tank! Let’s start with: how did you choose your stage name?
Tank is actually a shortened and empowering variant of my family name, and Mikhail (Mi-Ka-EL) is my birth name. I never needed to invent a stage persona separate from my true self. There is a natural theatrical dimension to what I do, it comes from my Soul!
Over the years (since ’93), I have also used Sir. Tank as an artistic moniker.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and grew up in the United States. California has been home for most of my adult life. I lived in Los Angeles for many years and am now based in Northern California.
Japan is important to my life and creative development. I have spent substantial periods living there, and its aesthetics, spiritual traditions, nature, objects, and philosophy have had a profound influence.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I danced to Roma romances since age three, and began with the creation of Darksoul Theatre when I was twelve years old. Copyright at 13. I was interested in the voice of the Inner Soul, theatre, sound, psychology, darkness, emotion, ritual, character, and natural (not forced) transformation. Dark musical theatre of the psyche immediately became the most natural vessels for all of the elements.
Dumbing down singles to be #1 is a no. I have always approached recording as a dreamer, artist, performer, and storyteller rather than trying to fit myself into conventional definitions.
What is Darksoul Theatre?
The Truth of who I am – unfiltered, delivered, unrefined, sometimes refined – in any method I choose at the moment of creation.
What are you hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Books (The Slamming Door is coming out this week in paperback), create endless concepts, conduct interviews, study spirituality and psychology, travel, work with symbolic objects (see my MAGATAMA book), and develop ideas involving technology and Artificial Emotional Intelligence – AEI/EAI – for MAGATAMAAI.com.
I am particularly fascinated by archetypes, Magatama, Dzi, and Pounamu. I collect these special objects, reselling some on eBay and utilizing others in my art and daily wear.
See: https://www.ebay.com/usr/mikhailtank
Awareness is a great hobby. A conversation, a dream, a beautiful meal, a dance, a love encounter, the ocean, or a single waking state will eventually become part of my work.
What is one environment in which you feel the most creatively alive?
Anywhere, especially when I can have nine hours of pure rest – with no slamming doors, leaf-blowing noises, or perfume.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
My influences are broad because I respond much more to presence and emotional truth than to genre.
Also No Groups, only true individuals. I have tremendous admiration for artists with unmistakable identities – people whose work IS inseparable from who they are. Irina Allegrova has been a particularly important inspiration to me because of her emotional raw superpower, feelings-finesse, theatricality, independence, and Imperial Stage Command. Sade Adu, Anjelica Huston, Anna Vissi, and Jack Nicholson round out the Top 5. Kriti Sanon, the exceptional Bollywood actor…is a Top 10 for me!
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Longevity and Truth. Doing What I Want! I love my distributors, I love the audience, and I love performing exclusive shows. I’ve learned that longevity comes from remaining truthful to yourself rather than reshaping yourself to fit whatever is expected at the moment.
There have been so many extraordinary markers along the way – including the BBC interview surrounding The First Ever virtual live show (Soul Photography) at the Edinburgh Fringe back in 2009 – and much more.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
FK being an Influencer – Be Your True Self! Chasing attention by being stupid makes me vomit in an imaginary vase.
Now onto Prima Materia. What inspired this album?
Prima Materia was created during a period of Love, Peace, and Exceptional Nature in Hawaii, particularly Maui and Kauai.
The title refers to the idea of the “first matter” . . . the original substance from which darkness becomes Life.
What is the overall theme of Prima Materia?
The psyche in its totality and truth. Unrefined and most certainly, undefined.
The album is best experienced in a relaxed, comfortable, dark state, in stereo, from beginning to end, when possible.
It may start off as seemingly just talk, but allow yourself full immersion.
It’s Darksoul Theatre.
(I have stated this to those listening today ~ and thank you for enjoying!)
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for Prima Materia?
Poipu Beach, Kauai. No AI. An excellent local photographer (thank you, Keith) ~ and whatever happened, was captured.
The limited-edition vinyl and CD (see my website) include an exclusive photo booklet from this shoot.
What was the creative process like when making Prima Materia?
A feeling erupted from an experience. I recorded it live, at the Moment of Truth, and sent it to my music crafter, Dip. Then I cut four tracks from the record because they simply did not fit.
It has a mini error – which I love. Everything great has one or two mini errors. It’s not too short; it’s not too long.
It starts with: “OK, he’s talking…”
Then it becomes: “OK, I am hypnotized. I am IN for the ride.”
And then: REPEAT.
It’s a culmination of many years, crafted into Dionysian wine.
How long did it take to complete Prima Materia?
Three and a half months, with 8 days of recording.
Is there a specific track on Prima Materia that speaks to you the most? If so, why?
“Future Beach” is about protecting the Future Self and those who feel panic and stress. “Apex Instinct” discusses inner strength, “Summon Fortune from the Soul” closes the album by pointing toward what comes next.
“Summon Fortune from the Soul” is particularly personal because it features my Mom. That gives the ending a dimension beyond simply concluding the record.
Prima Materia was genuinely designed to function as one complete darksoul theatre experience rather than a collection of isolated singles.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from Prima Materia and your music in general?
To enter a new dimension of audio art and let me be the soul travel guide. Darksoul Theatre has always been about entering darkness with consciousness and transforming what you find there.
What’s next?
The single “Guard Your Spirit” arrives October 3, 2026, followed by the Morning Without Problems EP on December 29 and “Catte Marette” on December 30.
“Summon Fortune from the Soul” – the single – comes out on January 1, 2027.
Architect of Darksoul, a compilation, will be available on March 3, followed by “Transfer Soul” on March 13 and “APOTHÉŌSIS” on June 5, 2027.
Where can we follow you on social media?
My primary home online is:
Social Media: @MikhailTank
For consulting services, to hire me, or to help fund my future projects, please visit my website.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
