Rob Lundberg’s “Uncontaminated Sound – The Interviews” EP #58 w/ Free Kazakhs

Guided by artistic desire and a true lover of artistry in all of its forms, Robert Lundberg has become a highly regarded photographer and filmmaker lauded for his innovative and versatile documentaries covering the worlds of music, comedy, art, and film. After spending his early years in Massachusetts, Lundberg moved to New York City where he more actively pursued a full-time career in art and film. Uniquely focused on seeking out the next big artistic challenge, Lundberg chose to pursue one of his most ambitious projects at the beginning of 2020 when he launched his new documentary series entitled Uncontaminated Sound – The Interviews.

Debuting in early 2020, the series follows comedians, musicians, fine artists, and actors with Lundberg’s primary goal to gain a particular insight into their creative processes which can only be thoroughly deciphered by truly going behind the scenes. With Uncontaminated Sound, Lundberg’s purpose is to offer an intimate look into all of the rarely seen or known “little things” that take place during interviews and other similar social and private interactions with artists and performers. Mainstream features are often heavily and unevenly edited, offering viewers only individual, preferred moments. In contrast, Lundberg is dedicated to delivering to you all of the real, raw, authentic moments that you would never otherwise have the opportunity to experience.

With more time in the rearview mirror, Lundberg has returned right on time with another edition of Uncontaminated Sound. He is joined this week by communications manager Akmaral Mussayeva and founder Gani Stambekov of the activist organization Free Kazakhs. Founded in 2019, the organization is a democratic movement whose primary motivation is to free the country of Kazakhstan from its authoritarian regime, and liberate its people from the negative forces of corruption and poverty. It was founded by Kazakh students and other likeminded youth living in New York City. The group holds frequent protests about various issues important to them and Kazakhstan as a whole, such as the fight for freedom for political prisoners, the protection of an independent judiciary, and the freedom of ethnic Kazakhs, Uyghurs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, and Tatars in occupied East Turkistan who are imprisoned in concentration camps as a result of their ethnicity.

Free Kazakhstan

Regarding his conversation with Mussayeva and Stambekov, Lundberg said:

“If you’ve been listening and viewing to the series from the start, the whole concept of this little series was to engage in unedited open forum discussions with contemporary artisans, educators, musicians, writers, and creatives in all fields/mediums of interest.

“It is my belief that freedom of speech is an underlying human right, and on the series I encourage a diverse range of views and perspectives without judgement, or agenda. So convo 58, early March, I found myself documenting the Ukraine protests in Times Square, since I could not stand idly by during such historic events.

“On my way out of the crowd I happened to meet Akmaral Mussayeva, communications manager for the organization Free Kazakhs. I took a few snaps, Akmaral then informed me of the mission of her organization and what human rights violations were occurring in the nation that bordered both Russia and China, and which the West spoke little of: Kazakhstan.

“What I present here is a follow up conversation with Akmaral and the founder of Free Kazakhs, Gani Stambekov. Recorded on location in Manhattan, this is my attempt to gain a greater understanding of a region misunderstood and rarely spoken about. Please enjoy.”

Lundberg has more interviews to come with acclaimed artists who have agreed to be a part of Uncontaminated Sound – The Interviews in the coming weeks and months. Lundberg has already been bringing you his ongoing series Uncontaminated Sound which takes a look behind the scenes to get a look at performers before they take the stage. The series has featured Macklemore’s Gemini Tour featuring Eric Nally (formerly of Foxy Shazam) and Xperience, the late Louie Anderson, Sinbad, Ron English, We Are Scientists, Rufus Wainwright, and more. Lundberg’s photography has been highlighted in publications such as Huffington Post, Paste Magazine and more.