New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of The Wedding Present's legendary Peel Sessions, The Ukrainians' new album 'Summer in Lviv' is based on guitarist
Peter Solowka and vocalist/fiddle player Len Liggins's experiences in western Ukraine last summer, where they discovered the rejuvenated, modern, vibrant and forward-looking city of Lviv, whose official motto is 'Live, work and enjoy yourself'.
Living in the west but with half the band having a background rooted in the cultures of Ukraine or eastern Europe, The Ukrainians have enjoyed huge success over the past three decades, not only winning the adoration of mainland
Europe but becoming the only band to ever enter the official UK charts with a Ukrainian language track. Furthermore, their music is infused with an excitement that draws on both Ukrainian folk music and western rock music, which together create a sound that is fresh and exciting as traditional instruments interweave with pounding drums and zizzy electric guitars.
"Intoxicating as ice-cold vodka knocked back in one!" MOJO
Inspired by the band's holiday experiences and conversations with people in the city, 'Summer in Lviv' deals with themes that reflect the Ukraine of today: conflict, populations on the move, immigration, and a struggle for identity. The album reflects on the benefits and pitfalls of freedom, and the delicate balance between asserting a national or ethnic identity and denying it to others. If this balance is achieved, it can result in diversity and acceptance - increasingly the case in Lviv; but if not, it can lead to war - as in Ukraine's Donbass region. This is the serious side, but 'Summer in Lviv' also celebrates Ukrainians' natural exuberance and love of life, and the high place that folk song and dance holds in Ukrainian culture.
"Zvidky Vy? (Where Are You From?)" reflects the experiences of some Ukrainians working in the West:
"I left my family to look for work / I'm an honest person and a steady worker / I'm a human being just like you / but still you say to me "where are YOU from?"
The Ukrainians created their intoxicating cocktail of traditional Ukrainian music and British Indie pop even before the term 'world music' had been coined. They founded a musical style that has since been adopted both inside and outside of Ukraine. This journey began when
Peter Solowka and Len Liggins - with The
Wedding Present - recorded three John Peel sessions of Ukrainian music for the BBC in the 1980s, resulting in the first and only release of a Ukrainian language record by a major record label. This record was released exactly three decades ago and reached number 22 in the national album charts.
A 30th anniversary re-issue, The Complete Ukrainian John Peel Sessions is being released on CD and 12-inch vinyl LP in April 2019.
The Ukrainians will be touring Summer in Lviv throughout summer and autumn 2019.
UK Gigs:
03.05 - 100 Club, London
04.05 - John Peel Centre, Stowmarket
01.06 - J2 (The Junction), Cambridge
15.06 - Muzikantes Festival, Leeds
06.07 - Tannerfest, Kettering
10.08 - At the Edge of the Sea Festival, Brighton
