(Petrozavodsk - Karelia)
Wa-Ta-Ga is both a Russian and deeply World Music project. This group comes from Petrozavodsk, Karelia, the region where rich musical traditions of Finnish and Russian cultures have been preserved and interacted for centuries.
Wa-Ta-Ga’s music is a sublime network made of three basic components: authentic songs of the Russian North, unlimited variety of instruments from classical violin etc. to exotic things from various corners of our planet, and proficiency that allows the Wa-Ta-Ga merge styles, rhythms and harmonies.
The group sings with four distinct voices. In particular Alexander Leonov uses Tuvan throatsinging technique which he learned from Tuvans. The group features cosmopolitan percussion that embraces Africa, Latin America, India, and Europe. Alexander Leonov is also a master craftsman: there are wooden blown instruments, Karelian “youhikko” violin and musical saw that he made. Guitars, violin, acoustic bass, and flute contribute to the overall sound so that it becomes both genuine and easily accessible listening experience. There is an unpredictable harmony in this variety, while the musical architecture may be found to contain elements of folk, funk, rock’n’roll, jazz, Siberian shamans’ chant and classical music harmonies.
Wa-Ta-Ga musicians say: “In the times of old, people traveled the world to find their luck. Songs traveled along with them. Sometimes these songs were able to find new soil for them to get rooted, and in this way they enriched local traditions. There is the idea of a spiritual journey, the interaction of various cultures.”
WA-TA-GA IS:
Alexander Leonov – vocals, blown instruments, youhikko violin, musical saw
Olga Gaydamak – vocals
Arkady Sokolov – percussion, vocal
Sergey Shelyapin – acoustic bass, bass guitar
Alexey Derevlev – guitars, vocal
HISTORY
Wa-Ta-Ga started in 1998 as a collaboration of experienced musicians of Petrozavodsk: Leonov, Sokolov and Derevlev. At that time, they were called “Reel”. In 2000, Shelyapin and Gaidamak enriched the group’s sound with bass and violin. In 2002, the group recorded their first album called “Strannie Ludi” (Strange People) issued by Moscow label Sketis Music. Through their history they enjoyed a lot of attention at the Russian festivals and occasionally appeared abroad, principally in Scandinavia.
DISCOGRAPHY:
REEL "Strannie Ludi "(CD, Sketis Music 2002ã.)
NEW 2005 !
L-S-D "Leonov Sokolov Derevlev" (CD, Sketis Music 2005)
Ethno-atr-jazz project of member of Wa-Ta-Ga band from Karelia (Russian-Finish border area), recorder during live session in St.Peterburg. This record sounds like experimental ethnic ambient, which musicians played “live”, using the rich variety of handmade folk instruments (like Karelian “youhikko” violin and musical saw) & different styles of traditional singing, combining with modern electronic & sound effects. Music of “L.S.D. Project” express the original spirit of Russian North-side. The beat of waves of White Sea, hurling of seagulls, a songs of a lone pilgrim – all this merge into one musical space, which takes listeners far away from their casual world.
CONTACT
Wa-Ta-Ga are being promoted by Sketis Music, e-mail: info@sketismusic.ru . You may use this address to request their album “Strannie Ludi”.
· LISTEN
You can download some of the Wa-Ta-Ga’s songs using these links:
Vo Tomskoi http://sketismusic.ru/audio/Reel-Vo_Tomskoy.mp3
Ya Hodila Ya Gulyala http://sketismusic.ru/audio/Reel-Ya_Hodila.mp3
(Moscow)
Volga is a unique project on Moscow music scene. It successfuly combines experimental electronics, contemporary dance rhythmics and the original russian folklore. Pagan psychodelia and shamanizm, authentic melodies and lyrics of ancient Russia (12th-19th centuries) mixed with urban easthetics and contemporary videoart are the essential components of Volga performances.
The current Volgaline-up is a professionaly educated vocalist and a folklore vocal technics investigator Anjela Manukjan (she also takes part in the projects of Richard Norvila and Spieses Of Fishes duoform Moscow), worldwide known electronic specialists and multi-instrumentalists Alexei Borisov (Notchnoi Prospekt, F.R.U.I.T.S., joint projects with KK Null (Japan), Jeffrey Surak (USA), Anton Nikkila (Finland), Sergei Letov(Russia))and Roman Lebedev (Metal Corossion, Alien Pat Holman, Idioritmik), an artist and the inventor of the original selfmade instruments, Grammy winner (artwork for Frank Zappa “Civilization III” album, 1996) UriBalashov. Usualy the performances of Volga are decorated by special video projections, created in realtime by wellknown Moscow video-artist Roman Anikushin. Volgaoften tours in Russia and abroad, performing in clubs, concert halls and participating in different international music festivals such as “Burg Herzberg Open Air 2000” (Germany), SKIF-4 (St.Peterburg, Russia 2002), “Vital Water 2002” (Altai, Russia), International Folk Festival in Petrozavodsk 2003 (Karelia, Russia), HUH Festival in Tallinn (Estonia 2003) etc.
The debut CD of Volga has been released in 1999 by Moscow based “Exotica records” and got very positive response not only from the specialists but also from the wide audience in Russia and Europe as well. The next CD “Bottoms up!”, released at the beginning of 2003 by “Exotica records”, is a fine collection of the most melodic and dansable songs of Volga. The latest edition of Volga is “Concert” CD, recorded live at “DOM” club in Moscow and released by “Sketis Music” in april 2003.
DISCOGRAPHY:
“Volga” (CD, Exotica Records 1999)
“Bottoms up!” (CD, Exotica Records 2003)
“Concert” (CD, Sketis Music 2003)
“Three Fields” (CD, Volga/Sketis Music 2004)
Namgar can be reached via info@sketismusic.ru
The repertoire of Namgar consists of the songs and melodies shared by Buryats and Mongolians, embracing the world of sounds as big as from the Lake 
Baikal in the East of Russia to the Great Wall in China, from the songs of shamanist gatherings of Siberia to celebration songs you might hear at a midsummer fest in Mongolia to exquisite melodies from Inner Mongolia. Looking like characters from the ancient legends of Asia on stage, the group delivers the music that is both exotic and easily accessible.
Four musicians were drawn together by this ancient music little known to the world in January 2001, in Moscow, Russia: Namgar Lhasaranova and Jipo from Ulan-Ude, Buryatia (South Siberia), Altay and Urna from Mongolia. Their collaboration sprung from the songs and music of the Hori Buryats, as well as from Mongolian compositions, as Buryats and Mongolians share many common musical traditions.
The heart of this project, Namgar (Namgar Ayushievna Lhasaranova) whose name was used to call the entire group, grew up in a Buryat family in a tiny village of Kunkur near the border crossing of Russia, Mongolia, and China. Hori Buryat tribes to which Namgar belongs, historically were supporters of Chingis Khan and important commanders of the Mongol Invasion. Their songs and dances date back to the glorious times of the Mongolian Empire, preserving many genres and songs that became extinct in the other parts of Mongolian world.
Being separated from each other politically since XVII century, Buryats and Mongolians still share many common traditions, and in search of cultural identity often think about each other as "true keepers of the ancient heritage".
· DISCOGRAPHY:
In October 2003, Namgar released their first official CD entitled “Hatar” (round dance). It boasts a first ever collection of Buryat all-time favorites that are quite distinct and neatly arranged. It was a group of enthusiastic young people from Moscow who started a label called “Sketis Music” www.sketismusic.ru , specializing in world music, who gave the opportunity to the group to record their album, because they were sure this music was fantastic. Album cover was designed by Dashi Namdakov, the most prominent young artist among the Buryats.
· The Group And The Instruments
Namgar(full name Namgar Ayushievna Lhasaranova) grew up in a family that preserved the Buryat musical tradition. She started performing traditional Buryat music on stage in mid-1980’s. Since that time, Namgar has performed solo in France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and the USA singing traditional songs and playing the zither yataga. In 1999, 2000, and 2001 she was taking part in the Norwegian world music festival Riddu-Riddu where she shared the stage with Jerry Alfred, Bolot Bairyshev, Mari Boine, Chirgilchin, Anneli Drecker, Lucie Idlout, Derek Miller, Sabjilar, Pamyua and other prominent native and world music artists.
Jipo (full name Eugene Zolotaryov), Namgar’s husband, comes from Ulan-Ude, Buryatia. Originally from a Chita Polish family, he graduated from East Siberian Institute of Culture. Originally bass guitar player in Ulan-Ude bands, he met Namgar, who came to join his group Selenga as a lead vocalist. In the group Namgar, Eugene plays chanza. Chanza is a long-necked spiked lute with an oval wooden frame and snake skin covering stretched over both faces. The three strings are fixed to a bar, which is inserted in the body. The instrument is struck or plucked with a plectrum made of horn or with the fingers. As the tones do not echo, every note is struck several times.
Altay (full name Altangerel Khishigtogtokh) is a young Mongolian musician. He grew up in a musical family in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. A morin huur player and a pianist, Altangerel studied musical theory in Ulaanbaatar and when his college training was complete in the late 1990’s, he came to Moscow for advanced study of composition. In Moscow, his instrumental skills became known to the Embassy of Mongolia in Russia, and he took part in many events organized by the Embassy in Russia, an also traveled to Finland to participate in a Mongolian exhibition there. Morin huur is one of the symbols of Mongolian and Buryat musical tradition, and maybe the ancestor of all bowed instruments of European music. In English, people frequently call it the horse-head fiddle. It is a bowed string instrument with a trapezoid body. It has the wooden head of a horse at the top of the neck, and its strings are made of horsehair. According to legend, there once was a Mongolian nomad whose beloved horse died. In the memory of the horse, the man created a musical instrument using the horse’s remains and thus made the first morin huur. Morin huur can beautifully imitate the horse’s voice, but its abilities are not limited to this imitation.
Urna (full name Urantugs Jamiyan), a girl from Uliastai, Mongolia, comes from the family of a popular Mongolian composer Jamyan. She started to study yataga, an ancient zither, in Uliastai while she was still a child. As Altay, she studied in a musical college in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In 2000 in Moscow she joined Namgar, adding the royal sound of yataga to Namgar’s folklore ensemble. Yatagabelongs to the family of Far Eastern zithers. Similar instruments with movable bridges can be found in Japan, Korea, China, and Viet Nam. The strings are plucked and the sound is very smooth. Yatagais constructed as a box with a convex surface and an end bent towards the ground. In the times of old it was regarded as an instrument of the court of the Khans and Buddhist rituals rather than a village folklore instrument.
Uri Balashov from Moscow is an internationally acclaimed designer who made cover designs for albums from Gorky Park to Frank Zappa. He joins Namgar with electronic noises, percussion and Tibetan singing bowl that can also be heard on the Borisov and Manoukian`s Volga project.
Battuvshin from Mongolia, now living in Russia, a multiinstumentalist, flutist and a throatsinger, played with Namgar at several international venues, and have taken an important part in many other projects, concerts
and recordings of Mongolian and Buryat music (Ensemble Mandukhai, Uragsha). In 1999, Global Village encouraged him to issue a solo album of flute and jaws harp, "Young Camel".
Tyva Kyzy & Choduraa Tumat - Tuva Women Voices Group
"Tyva Kyzy" ("Daughters of Tyva") is the first and for the moment the only women`s group in Tyva that performs all styles of Tyvan throat-singing. This form of multiple tone harmonic singing has however been practiced mostly by men and prohibited for women. The members of Tyva Kyzy dared to perform publicly this ancient art of singing in their own unique "feminine" style.
The American public is waiting for us in October, 2005 year! You can see our schedule in TOUR
Choduraa Tumat- Artistic leader and throat-singer of `Tyva kyzy". Choduraa was born or January 17, 1974 in the village of Iyme of Choon-Khemchik region. In 2002 she graduated from the East-Siberian state Academy, department of Arts. Choduraa performs the following styles of Tyvan throat-singing: khoomei, sygyt, kargyraa, ezengileer, chylandyk. As a child she was fond of listening to khoomei and sygyt performed by her brothers.
Choduraa herself has been performing since 1998. She sing folk songs, plays doshpuluur, igil, byzaanchy, khomus, chadagan.Jaureate of international festival "Dembildei - 2002"; winner of the "Best female performer" nomination in international festival "Sygyt and khoomei on the land of Ovur" of 2000; was recognized as Honorary performer of khoomei in Choon-Khemchik region during the Festival of Living music "Ustuu-Khuree-2000".
Choduraa teaches at Kyzyl Teacher Training College, also performs in the Tyvan National Orchestra.
Aylanmaa Damyran- singer of "Tyva kyzy" since the creation of the group. She was born in July 28 1975 in the village of Bai-Tal of Bai-Taiga region. In 1996 she finished her studies at the college of Arts in Kyzyl, department of national instruments, class of igil. In 1993 she was taught khoomei by a remarkable performer of khoomei , "People`s khoomeizhi (throat singer)" of the Repablic of Tyva, Khunashtaar-ool Surunovich Oorzhak.
Aylanmaa performs the following styles of tyvan throat-singing; khoomei, sygyt, borbangnadyr, damyrak borbangy. The very first witnesses of her talent in her childhood were the steppes and the mountains of Bai-Taiga. Except throat-singing she also performs on such tyvan national instruments as igil, khomus, doshpuluur. She is an honoured participant of the Republican contest "Ak-ool’s igil" of 2002. Aylanmaa plays in the Tyvan national orchestra, teaches khoomei at children`s club in the village of Kaa-Khem of Kyzyl region. Married, has a son.
Ayana Mongush- performs in the group since 2003 was born in April, 8, 1976 in the village of Sagly of Ovur region. In 2001 graduated from the East-Siberian State Academy, faculty of Arts in the city of Ulan-Ude.
Plays byzaanchy, doshpuluur. Member of the Regional Union of Composers, is the artistic leader and conductor of the Tyvan national orchestra of the Ministry of Culture and National Affairs of the Republic of Tyva, teaches at the Kyzyl college of Arts. Married, has a son.
Ajlan Ondar- is in the group since 1998, was born in December 15, 1975 in the village of Ishkin of Sut-Khol region. In 2001 graduated from the East-Siberian State Academy, faculty of Arts (city of Ulan-Ude).
Plays chadagan, khomus and also percussion instruments.
She performs in the Tyvan national orchestra, and also chadagan teacher at children`s club in the village of Kaa-Khem of Kyzyl region. Married, has two sons.
Sholbaana Denzin- singer of the group since 2004. Was born in may 26, 1983 in the village of Ak-Turug of Chaa-Khol region. Now studies at Moscow state University of Print facultv of economics and
management. She performs three styles of throat-singing: khoomei. sygyt, kargyraa. Performs since 1998. Plays igil, doshpuluur, khomus, sings folk songs.
Participant of the festival "Russian Dawn`(1998) laureate of student festivals "Festos"(2003; 2004), and "Star of Moscow`s Horth"(2004), laureate of International Festival in Khandagaity “Sygyt-khoomey on the land of Ovur” in memorial of national throat-singer Genadiy Tumat.
