12. Paranya
13. Finskaya
14. Kumushki
15. Ethnogram, Vol. 3
16. Uletayu (Other Vers.)
17. Gory
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NACHALO VEKA is a band playing popular folk music. This music was not made popular by journalists or constant MTV rotations. It is in the hearts of Russian people...» – Translated from zvuki.ru.
Through its whole history Russian folk music has been an object for different kinds of experiments, mostly made by so to say intellectuals. Their numerous albums were fully stuffed with electronic sounds and the songs – up to 20 minutes long! – comprised at least four different themes with variations. A common lullaby which our grandmothers used to sing could turn into a pompous oratory backgrounded by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. From time to time such experiments aroused some kind of momentary interest in forgotten songs, but mostly folklore remained on the backyards of show business.
NACHALO VEKA is a collective of people who perceive traditional music in a different way. Their philosophy on music is simple – they take traditional music (and sometimes lyrics) and spice it with guitars, keyboards, drums, and transparent voice of the band's lead vocalist Alyona Sergiyevskaya. An old and well-known song acquires new qualities and sounds as if it were new-born.
«…In recent ten years Russian rock-music has undergone substantial changes. In late 80's - mid 90's it used to be a field for experimenting. Now if you take a look around you'll see that there are a few main trends and people who position themselves as musicians stick to them. Many bands sound just the same way, and often look like twins. I don't think it's a good idea to copy someone. We'd better take something from different styles and mix them in reasonable proportions. You know, it's like alcohol: there's little interest of inventing a new sort of vodka, just try making a new cocktail!» – Alexey Ityuzhov, the band's musician.
NACHALO VEKA is:
Alyona Sergiyevskaya (lead vocalist)
Alexey Ityuzhov (lyrics)
Mikhail Sanok (guitars)
Elena Guseva (keyboards)
Roman Sheletov (bass)
Vladimir Busel (drums, percussion)