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Photo credit: Alexandra Korshunova.
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Originating in the Deep South of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the blues emerged as a profound expression of African American life, encapsulating themes of struggle, resilience, love, and loss. Rooted in African musical traditions, work songs, spirituals, and field hollers, the blues quickly became more than just a regional sound—it evolved into a powerful cultural force with global influence. Over the decades, the blues has profoundly impacted music around the world, inspiring artists across continents and laying the groundwork for numerous musical genres.
The Blues’ Global Influence
From the 1950s onward, the blues began crossing borders, fueled by records, radio broadcasts, and American soldiers returning from Europe. British musicians, in particular, found themselves captivated by the raw emotion and expressive techniques of blues music. This fascination gave birth to the British Blues movement, which not only paid homage to American pioneers but also introduced the genre to a new, international audience.
In Europe, blues festivals became cultural landmarks, showcasing both local and international talents. Similarly, in Japan and other parts of Asia, musicians adopted blues’ characteristic twelve-bar structure, emotive guitar licks, and soulful vocal styles, blending them with local musical traditions to create a hybrid sound.
Countries and Artists Who Stood Out
United Kingdom
The UK arguably became a second home for the blues. Artists like Eric Clapton, John Mayall, and Fleetwood Mac’s early blues period brought the genre into mainstream British music. The British Blues Boom of the 1960s would also influence American rock and pave the way for legends such as Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, who openly credited blues musicians as their inspiration.
Nigeria
In Africa, blues influenced highlife, Afrobeat, and modern Nigerian music. Nigerian guitarist Victor Olaiya incorporated blues motifs into his work, helping create a sound that resonated both locally and internationally. Contemporary Nigerian artists continue to blend blues with Afrobeat and soul, keeping the genre’s spirit alive in innovative ways.
Canada
Canadian artists have also embraced blues with remarkable success. Musicians like Jeff Healey and Colin James brought blues to Canadian audiences, gaining international recognition while contributing to the global blues landscape.
Australia
Blues found a passionate following in Australia, with artists such as Joe Camilleri and Wendy Matthews incorporating blues into rock, pop, and jazz-infused styles. Australian blues festivals have become prominent fixtures on the international music calendar.
Russia (Moscow)
Moscow has developed a growing blues scene over the past few decades. Russian musicians and enthusiasts have embraced blues festivals, jam sessions, and clubs, drawing inspiration from both American and European blues traditions. Artists like Aleksandr Kolpakov and modern bands such as Blue Monday have carved out a space for blues in Russia, blending traditional Russian musical elements with the emotive storytelling and guitar-driven sound of the blues. Moscow’s blues community demonstrates the genre’s universal appeal, thriving even in regions far from its Delta origins.
The Enduring Legacy
The blues’ global journey demonstrates the universal language of music—its ability to communicate emotion, struggle, and triumph across cultures. Beyond inspiring countless rock, jazz, and soul musicians, blues has left an indelible mark on songwriting, guitar techniques, and vocal expression worldwide. Today, blues continues to thrive in festivals, clubs, and recordings across the globe, a testament to its enduring power and adaptability.
From the Mississippi Delta to Tokyo, Lagos to London, and Moscow, the blues is more than a musical genre—it is a testament to humanity’s shared experience, proving that a simple chord progression can resonate with hearts everywhere.
OUR GUEST
Our guest today is Polina Michaels. Polina Michaels (born Polina Bystritskaya) is a Moscow-based guitarist and vocalist playing blues rock with strong influences from ’80s rock and glam metal. She started playing guitar in 2021 while on maternity leave caring for her son, and what began as a new hobby quickly became a serious musical focus.
Her style blends blues feel with the energy and attitude of classic and ’80s guitar-driven music. Major influences include Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton on guitar, with Sammy Hagar as a key vocal influence. These inspirations shape her melodic solos, expressive phrasing, and blues rock style vocals with a focus on feel. Polina is especially interested in discovering guitar sound and tone, spending a lot of time experimenting with gear and different setups to shape her voice on the instrument.
She has performed live at Moscow’s Rhythm & Blues Cafe, collaborating with pianist, singer, and songwriter Lena Shery. These performances helped her build live experience and confidence in a band setting.
Polina is currently collaborating with Wampler, the U.S.-based company known for its hand-built guitar pedals. She is actively looking for musicians to start a band and is also interested in working as a session guitarist in recording studios, where she can contribute creatively and continue developing her sound and songwriting skills.
INTERVIEW WITH POLINA MICHAELS AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Can you tell us about your first exposure to the blues and what drew you to the genre?
Polina: My dad, also a guitarist and a sound engineer, introduced me to a lot of great music, including the blues. What I love the most about the blues is that it’s a guitar-driven music with emotionally resonant and vocal-like solos. As a kid I absolutely loved singing and when you play a blues solo it feels pretty much like singing.
Guitar Thrills: How has blues music influenced your personal style or approach to creating music?
Polina: The blues reflects my love for raw soulful music with emotional depth. The blues has taught me that it’s not always the complex techniques that impress the listener the most. Sometimes it’s good to keep it simple technique-wise and focus on sharing your vulnerable and honest side with the listener, tell a story that people can resonate with.
Guitar Thrills: Blues originated in the United States, yet it has inspired artists worldwide. How do you see its impact in countries outside of the U.S.?
Polina: The blues, and music in general, is a universal language that can be understood by people all over the world. And a lot of times you don’t even need to understand the lyrics to capture the feel, which was my particular case because as a kid I was only starting to learn English and sometimes I would listen to the songs and would be clueless what the lyrics were about but somehow it didn’t stop me from enjoying the music. And although I think the classic blues is not as popular in the rest of the world as it is in the U.S. I think it’s still very influential since it’s shaped a lot of other popular genres.
Guitar Thrills: Have you collaborated with or been influenced by international blues artists? If so, how did those experiences shape your music?
Polina: The blues artists that influenced me the most are Eric Clapton, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Peter Green. I remember learning their solos note by note when I just picked up guitar. And a lot of their phrasing stuck with me ever since. At some point I even tried to mimic Clapton’s “floating vibrato” technique, and I loved it so much that I would still occasionally use it to the present day.
Guitar Thrills: What has been the most challenging aspect of building a career in blues music?
Polina: I’d say that the traditional blues is definitely a niche music here in Moscow that is only represented in a few music venues like “Rhythm & Blues Cafe” and “Kozlov Club". When it comes to playing the blues, I get the most exposure online on my Instagram page and my YouTube channel. I try not to limit myself only to the blues, but also explore other genres like blues rock, hard rock and lately I’ve also been extremely drawn to the 80’s metal music.
Guitar Thrills: Are there particular songs, albums, or performances that you consider turning points in your career?
Polina: One album that stands out for me the most is: “The Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton”. I used to listen to this one while riding in the car with my dad as a kid. Some of my favorite songs off the album are “Change The World”, “Blue Eyes Blue” and “Before You Accuse Me”. Later, in my teenage years I discovered Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and when I just picked up electric guitar some of the first guitar solos I learned to play were from songs “Need Your Love So Bad” and “Black Magic Woman”. Also, “Led Zeppelin IV” and Cream’s” Disraeli Gears” remain some of the most influential albums for me.
Guitar Thrills: How do you see the blues scene evolving in your country or city, and what role do you play in that community?
Polina: The blues scene is in good hands thanks to artists like Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., Marcus King, Samantha Fish and Larkin Poe. But what I also see is that modern artists blend the traditional blues with other popular genres which is a great way to preserve the blues and reach wider global audiences. And that’s what I personally do: although I'm highly influenced by the blues I try to experiment and blend it with other styles and genres.
Guitar Thrills: In Moscow (or your city), how do audiences respond to blues compared to other genres of music?
Polina: I believe here in Moscow people find this genre of music rather exotic and that’s what draws them in. Some of them are probably also attracted to the American culture and want to learn more about it through the music.
Guitar Thrills: What do you think is the enduring appeal of the blues across generations and cultures?
Polina: I think what makes the blues so appealing to the people is its raw emotional honestly and simplicity. The power of blues music is that it shares some universal stories and emotions that a lot of people can resonate with.
Guitar Thrills: What advice would you give to young musicians hoping to pursue a career in blues music today?
Polina: Get creative, don’t be scared of experimenting and sharing your own vision of the blues because it might turn into something fresh and extraordinary. I always think of how the British artists back in the 1960s brought the blues into the mainstream by giving it their own flavor.l of precise tonal focus, making the Little Sister particularly effective for cutting through busy mixes or emphasizing lead passages.
Conclusion
The blues is more than just a musical genre—it is a universal language of emotion, storytelling, and cultural expression. From its roots in the American South to the bustling streets of Moscow, the genre has transcended borders, inspiring countless musicians and touching audiences worldwide. Its influence can be heard in rock, jazz, soul, and contemporary music across continents, proving that the blues’ themes of struggle, resilience, and human experience are truly timeless. As new generations of artists continue to reinterpret and expand the genre, the blues remains a living testament to the power of music to connect people, preserve history, and convey the depths of the human spirit.
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