DakhaBrakha – is world-music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, Ukrainian “ethnic chaos” band DakhaBrakha, create a world of unexpected new music.
The name DakhaBrakha is original, outstanding and authentic at the same time. It means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language.
DakhaBrakha was created in 2004 at the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art “DAKH” by the avant-garde theatre director – Vladyslav Troitskyi. Theatre work has left its mark on the band performances – their shows have never been staged without the scenic effects.
Having experimented with Ukrainian folk music, the band has added rhythms of the surrounding world into their music, thus creating bright, unique and unforgettable image of DakhaBrakha. It will help to open up the potential of Ukrainian melodies and to bring it to the hearts and consciousness of the younger generation in Ukraine and the rest of the world as well.
Accompanied by Indian, Arabic, African, Russian and Australian traditional instrumentation, the quartet’s astonishingly powerful and uncompromising vocal range creates a trans-national sound rooted in Ukrainian culture
At the crossroads of Ukrainian folklore and theatre their musical spectrum is intimate then riotous, plumbing the depths of contemporary roots and rhythms, inspiring “cultural and artistic liberation”.
DakhaBrakha has played more than 300 concerts and performances and has taken part in numerous international festivals in Ukraine, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Austria, Slovenia, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Rumunia, Italy, Spaine, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norvegia, Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Hungary, Poland, Chine, Australia, USA, Canada, Columbia.
DakhaBrakha has common project with such a musicians: Port Mone (By), Kimmo Pohjonen Cluster (Fi), Karl Frierson (DePhazz) (Ge), Steve Cooney (IRL), Inna Zhelannaya (Ru), Kievbass (UA), Djam (UA-Iran), David Ingibaryan (Hu).
In March 2010 DakhaBrakha won one of the most prestigious Grand Prix prize named after S.Kuriokhin in the sphere of contemporary art and confirmed its actuality once again. In March 2011 DakhaBrakha became the discovery of Australian Womadelaide.
Marko Halanevych - vokals, darbuka, tabla, didjeridoo, accordion, trombone
He is the only representative of the countryside in the band. He was born at the Krushenivka village at the Vinnitskiy region in the family of village intellectuals. He graduated from the faculty of the Ukrainian philology, but came into the theatre, became an actor of the Centre of Contemporary Art “DAKH” and then accidentally found himself working with the band. Marko is fond of design – he creates the visual images of DakhaBrakha and “DAKH” theatre and continues to play on stage as an actor.
Iryna Kovalenko - vokals,djembe, bass drums, accordion, percussion, bugay, zgaleyka, piano
She has played Ukrainian ethnic music from the early childhood. Moreover, she has graduated from the faculty of folklore. She is fond of yoga, yachting, rowing. Ira is responsible for the “brass section” of the group, as she easily gets the feel of different music instruments and plays at the “Dakh” theatre as an actress.
Olena Tsibulska - vokals, bass drums, percussion, garmoshka
She is one of the specialists at the folklore department of the National University of Ukraine. When Lena has the time off, she prepares the Candidate’s dissertation about traditional Ukrainian wedding songs. She is fond of driving, sewing and interior design.
Nina Garenetska - vokals, cello, bass drum
She professionally studied folklore, but at the same time she is a virtuoso self-taught cellist. She is the most open-minded member of the band and is up for collaborating with other musicians. Nina is fond of travelling, photography, fancywork and adornment creation.
