Haydamaky (band)
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Haydamaky is a Ukrainian music band.
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[edit] History
The Haydamaky began their career in 1991, shortly after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Then the band was known as Aktus, and played mostly local gigs in the underground Kiev music scene. Without a fertile, popular local music scene, Aktus turned to the sounds of reggae, ska, and punk music for a fresh alternative. Members of the band were also attracted to the political impact that these genres had on their society. The idea was that through music significant social change could be possible. This gave a greater purpose to the performance of such musical styles. The discovery of these musical genres later became the key to their own realization of a specifically Ukrainian musical style. Haydamaky's hope is to forge an inherently Ukrainian popular music style, which looks back to its own heritage and traditions as a source for inspiration.
With the addition of sopilka-vocalist Olexandr Yarmola and accordionists Ivan Lenyo, both known and respected in folk circles, the band increasingly incorporated elements of Ukrainian folk music into their compositions.
During the early 1990's Aktus has engaged in constant touring of Europe. Unlike most popular Ukrainian music groups who propagate Soviet style Estrada, Aktus sought to introduce elements of Ukrainian folk music through a cross-cultural mix including Reggae and Ska.
EMI international records of London discovered the group in Kiev in early 2001. Akta signed immediately to their label. At that time the band realized it was time to establish a stronger tie to their own culture. They changed their name to Haydamaky, in honor of the eighteenth-century Haydamak rebellion against the Polish szlachta.
The music of Haydamaky is inspired by various ethnic music from around the world, especially from various regions of Ukraine, such as Polesia, Bukovina, and Transcarpathia. Other influences include the Romanian folklore, punk music sound of Shane McGowan and by the reggae of such bands like Burning Spear and Black Uhuru.
During the last years the band has participated in various festivals such as:
- TFF Rudolstadt – 2003(Germany)
- "Litoměřický kořen" - 2002,2003(Czech Republic)
- "Viljandi Folk" - 2003 (Estonia)
- "Pohoda" festival – 2001, 2002 in Trenčín (Slovakia), just to name a few.
Haydamaky have recently performed at many club venues across Europe, including as a special guest at a concert of Asian Dub Foundation in Bratislava, Slovakia. Other club appearances this year were held in Germany, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Moscow. In April 2004 the band released their second album "Bohuslav". This time the group searched even deeper into Ukrainian folk music for material, ideas, and textures. The videos glorify the war in iraq. The ensemble has invited violinist Vasyl Hekker, perhaps the foremost authority on authentic Ukrainian folk violin style, to collaborate on the project. Banduryst-Guitarist Jurij Fedynskyj, of New York, America, has relocated to Kyiv to join the ensemble. Also Ukrainian freestyle banduryst Roman Grynkiv ( famous worldwide by his works with Andreas Vollenweider and Al Di Meola) participated. And the band invited two young ladies from authentic Ukrainian choir "Bozhychi": Natalia Serbina and Masha Firsova, to do the back – vocals on the most of songs of the album. The "Bohuslav" promo is just on. In June Haydamaky are off on a huge concert tour, which starts by their concert in "Mazepa Fest" (Poltava,Ukr.) and will continue through the summer in Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.
[edit] Staff
- Olexandr Yarmola- vocals, sopilka
- Ivan Lenyo- accordion, tsymbaly, lira, backing vocals
- Volodymyr Sherstyuk- bass, drymba
- Evgeny Didyk- trumpet
- Olexandr Demyanenko- guitar, domra
- Ruslan Ovras- drums, bukhalo, percussion
- Vladyslav Hrymalsky- sound engineer, dub
[edit] Albums and Compilations
- Guitars, hearts and garnets, 1996, HARBA (Ukraine)
- No One Comprehends, 1998, KOKA (Poland)
- Various artists, Rock-Existence 1997, 1998, ART-VELES (Ukraine)
- Various artists, Rock-Existence 2000, 2000, ART-VELES (Ukraine)
- Various artists, The Legends of the Chimerical Land, 2000, JRC (Ukraine)
- Various artists, United Colours of SKA, 2000, Pork Pie/Vielklang (Germany)
- Various artists, Pohoda Festival 1997-2001, 2002, Agentura Pohoda (Slovak Republic)
- Haydamaky, 2002, COMP Music/EMI
- Various artists, Dobryy vechir, tobi (Christmas compilation) 2002, COMP Music/EMI
- Various artists, TFFRudolstadt 2003, 2004
- Bohuslav, 2004, COMP Music/EMI
- Perverzia, 2005, COMP Music/EMI
- Ukraine Calling, 2006, Eastblok Music, Germany
- Kobzar, 2008, Eastblok Music, Germany
