“Pelageya” is a Russian folk group named after its front singer’s name. In 2016, the USA witnessed a big live concert of “Pelageya” that lasted about 1,5 hours. Their music makes the audience feel part of a subculture that arose among the fans of Tolkien and other elven fantasy with the help of guitar, drums, bass, button accordion, and keys. This kind of music has always been based on Celtic culture. The musicians are interested in their traditional culture and the possibility of its existence in the context of today’s world music.
The group itself states being the representatives of Russian ethnic rock because they are reanimating old authentic Russian songs. Their new folk music deeply breathes in modern musical thoughts, but at the same time holds support based on folklore. Of course, the group’s popularity was influenced by the charisma of the “golden voice” of the vocalist Pelageya. Surprisingly balancing between an alternative reading of tradition and mainstream success, “Pelageya” became the first top-rated band throughout the world reviving Russian national music. In contrast to the official television folklore, they sound in a fresh, modern way combined with professional performance. Excellent bold arrangements can satisfy the most demanding music listener.
There is a qualified mixture of styles in complicated form compositions, virtuoso solos, beautiful, finished melodies, a fresh combination of rich sounds of a concert accordion, and electric guitars. Finally, a drum kit, “tries on” a mask of ethnic tom-toms. All this serves one purpose – to frame the world-class vocals with its sound, as an exclusive frame. Great tenderness and extreme power are contained in the voice of a simple Russian girl Pelageya.
Works Cited
“PELAGEYA.” YouTube, uploaded by Bilbao Wood, 2016. Web.