B EAST Magazine website

Ukrainian band Haydamaky have been blasting Gypsy- rock from festival stages across the East for years now. Their sound is funked out and punked up, fueled by the raw energy of the performers themselves.
The seven members exude stamina and style, as captured in a recent photo shoot by aclaimed Ukrainian photographer Dmitry Peretrutov, who threw the band into grooving outfits and pushed them out into a cornfield at dusk.
In February ’08 Haydamaky embarked on a tour encompassing Poland, Germany, Denmark, Brussels and Sweden to release their third album Kobzar, which picks up where the acclaimed record Ukraine Calling left off.
B EAST spoke to the band’s Henry Rollins-like frontman Oleksandr “Sasha” Jarmola.

Can you tell me a bit about the photo shoot – where was it? What was the idea behind it?

The photo shoot was done in a cornfield near Kiev. It was an idea of photographer, Dmitry Peretrutov. He is certainly one of the most creative men behind the Haydamaky story. The nickname of this photo session is “Welcome to Kukurudza” – Kukurudza being the Ukrainian word for popcorn.

Who is the girl in the photos? She’s not in the band, is she?

No, unfortunately she is not in the band. Her name is Oxana “Siania” Frankewych. She lives in Berlin and there she combines careers of an economist, DJ and photo model. She was born in Munich to a famous Ukrainian family. Famous because of their long history of their help and support for many Ukrainian dissident artists far back in the times of Soviet Union. Siania is also singing backing vocals on our new album Kobzar.

Where did you get the funky clothes? Some of those pants look awesome…

We did a bit of creative work on this. We always liked the styles of the Kingston reggae scene and funky styles like George Clinton from Parliament. We combined this with Ukrainian ethno fashions.

How is the rest of the world reacting to your style of hardcore eastern music?

Sure, the reaction is great. It is some new trendy style. It is hot, funky and positive. And there is a lot of work behind the music, and a lot of faith, and that comforts people. We are happy to present Ukrainian culture on a modern and progressive level. And we are happy to state that now you can hear a lot of good new bands from East Europe breaking through with their social messages on the ethno platform.

Are you concerned that the eastern gypsy rock style is being stolen by western-based bands (for example, Gogol Bordello and Beirut)?

You know that the musicians of Gogol Bordello are mostly eastern emigrants from Ukraine and Russia or have East European roots. So it’s no wonder that they produce an East European style. Supplied by a western approach and correct PR strategy.

What do the band members do when they are not performing? Where do you all live? How do you like to party?

You know we work so hard that there honestly almost no time for partying! It’s concerts, rehearsals, TV shooting, interviews, organizing work, all stuff to do. We really want to be successful! There is no other way to survive by music. If you ask what we dream to do once being free from work it’s again music. Of course not only. It’s doing sports (some of us have professional sport backgrounds), doing paintings, farming and travelling. What else? Making love and raising up children!

www.haydamaky.com
www.peretrutov.com

Story from Issue 10, which is on newstands across Europe. Check our Distribution section for more details.

Most of us were either unborn or wearing long-collared floral shirts to family picnics when Belize-born Bert Bivens started spinning at Studio 54 in 1977, during the glory days of the New York downtown scene. Andy Warhol, Blondie, Mick Jagger, Basquit and the bohemian elite of the Big Apple once danced, snorted or shagged to his deep house and disco tracks. (Think of Peanut Butter by Larry Levine, or just watch the movie).

That was thirty years ago and so it was a surprise to meet up with Bert in Kiev this March. Fifty now, and an avid basketball player, he’s lost none of the spike and clubland energy of his early twenties. Instead, it seems that Bert has been surfing the winds of change for the last few decades. Having helped establish Ministry Club in London in the early 90s, he was grooving out hip Tallinn in the late 90s, at its Vibe parties and Prive house club.

Today, he thinks that Kiev is where it’s happening. “It’s got a very fresh energy. It all took off here only four years ago, after the Orange Revolution,” he says with an emphasis that comes with true belief. Having helped set up Kiev’s first electronic music venue, Sound Planet, three years ago, he is now working on various projects, including starting a ‘house music’ festival here and opening other clubs with new partners.

Like most who’ve partied in Moscow, he loves Russia too and spins there regularly. He has played at an Oligarch’s birthday bash in Siberia and in the once-closed military city of Chelyabinsk. “That was mad,” he remembers. “The club was rammed hours before I came on set. I was the first foreign DJ they had ever heard.” He also spins at St. Petersburg’s Jetset and Moscow’s XIII. But Kiev is his base, his home, when he’s not spending time at his house in Queens, New York. It’s where he watches his favorite football team Liverpool, with his basketball mates, and works on his own musical projects. “It’s a great city, happening, but with a very relaxed vibe. I find it a lot more fun that stressful Moscow.”

Like most in the city, he’s gearing up for the 2012 European Cup games, that’ll be hosted in both Poland and Ukraine. “The next four years are going to a boom time,” he says, moving his hand upwards. “Now is the time to get in before it turns into another Prague.”

Since he’s been where it’s happening for much of the last 30 years, we tend to believe Bert. And when he declares that Kiev has the most beautiful women on the planet, we’re certainly in agreement.

CHECK OUT MORE ON KIEV HERE…