One of the great pleasures of hosting someone from another land is that you get to learn all about their country to a depth that would not be possible without actually going and living there.
If you’d asked me about Ukraine two years ago, I would have said that it was once a part of Russia, that it was ‘the bread basket of the USSR’ and that Stalin was utterly evil to them. I may even have been able to find it on the map.
Mariia has encouraged us to learn more of the history and culture and especially about the music. She is rather an aficionado on the subject and has shared her knowledge.
A unique sound
One of her favourite bands is DakhaBrakha. The group’s name means give and take in Old Ukrainian and their live performances are certainly a transfer of energy from band to audience and back. How would I describe them? I would venture to say that they are folk music for the 21st century; they describe themselves as ‘ethnic chaos’.
Chaos is perhaps too strong a word for a group whose musical talents are extraordinary. The vocals and instrumentals are worthy of any classical quartet – but there is a little controlled chaos in the unexpected, joyful turns their compositions take.
They met at the Kyiv Centre of Contemporary Art and their shows definitely have the flavour of the theatre. But I get ahead of myself.
The reason I am writing this is because for the first time in an age, I went to a live gig. Mariia – using her inimitable charm – managed to source a spare ticket even after they had sold out. My son, Greg, who had seen the band in Portland, Maine had very thoughtfully and kindly sent her two tickets for Christmas. But Mariia wanted us all to go. I would have to swallow my anxiety, organise the dog and stay awake to join them. I’m glad to say I succeeded in all three.
Close to home
The venue was nearby at the Attenborough Centre on the University of Sussex campus. We couldn’t ask for anything more convenient.
And the venue was more than kind. Since these were standing only tickets, we had to notify them that I’d need a seat. Upon arrival, they escorted us to the auditorium and pointed out our reserved seats close to the stage but cordoned off from the audience. As I was a little worried about infection, this was an additional boon.
The warm up act came on promptly and was so strange (this is Brighton remember) that Mariia whispered to me that it was a deliberate ploy to make DakhaBrakha look normal. I laughed. The singer was seriously alternative and I’m not quite sure how she made her music. This is how she is described on Sound Cloud. ‘Bunty is the avant-pop project of artist and vocal improviser, Kassia Zermon. Best known for pioneering underground experimental vocal loop shows and fronting UK leading Dub act Resonators.’ Confused? Don’t worry – she was actually brilliant. One just had to relax and go with it.
The main act
Now sufficiently ‘groovy’, we were ready for the main act. The band came on punctually and launched into their new work. This was rather more melancholy that their usual fare, but they were, after all, trying to highlight the plight of Ukraine in this dreadful war.
As an act of persuasion, this was a gentle one. The music was moving in a way that political commentary never could be. Combined with the incredible animations that reeled out behind them on stage, it was at times heart-rending.
A multimedia experience
The influence of theatre is strong with this group. Their costumes, which hark back to Cossack and traditional dress, nod to their country’s history and folk culture.
The animated backdrops give a visual dimension to their songs. The one below has the house symbolically sheltering the people underneath as ribbons of blue morph into drones falling from the sky.
It was, as my daughter-in-law said, extremely moving.
A unique sound
Just when I was longing for something a little more joyous, they broke into my favourite track ‘Spring’. Click hear to listen: https://soundcloud.com/mirian-gabaidze/dakhabrakha-vesna-autumn?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
It takes you through a spring day, beginning with birdsong and increasing in tempo and energy as the day takes hold and then back to the quiet as dusk falls and the birds return to the shelter of the trees. It’s rather long – so have patience.
And for those wanting a slightly quicker fix, I’ve included a clip from Jools Holland’s show, Later. For an incredibly quirky band, their popularity has grown exponentially and they now have an international following.
Having found the courage to venture outside my comfort zone, I plan to reach further still. The arts have so much to offer and I plan to be there to receive.
And I shall conclude with this outro.