By: Rudy Lu

The sound of harmonious vocals filled the Local’s space when the Ukranian band Yagody (pronounced Ya Hoo Dee) played the hall.

Their bandcamp page describes their music as follows:

“Music by YAGODY is like the ritual of initiation, like the wind wandering through fields. It is the call of the wild tribes, the voice of your ancestors. A living energy. Songs of Sirens. Sound of a trance. Voices that are dancing. Your nature smells like this. Your blood whispers like this. YAGODY is a way that leads inside yourself.”

Founded in Lviv in 2016, the members had a background in theater and learned to play musical instruments along the way. The founding member and leader Zoriana Dybovska found a new voice in this band after being forced to relocate from Donetsk due to the Russian invasion in 2010.

The origin of this band’s name was an accident. The meaning of this name is “Berries” which originated in Lviv but stuck to them in a gig in Poland. The band has subsequently done extensive touring in Europe and North America.

The band transforms traditional Ukranian and other East European folk music into more contemporary art with lots of contemporary energy. The band consists of a group of beautifully costumed female singers, one who is a button accordionist accompanied by a male drummer. Bass was played using the button accordion and a tom-tom ( the kick drum was broken).The in house light show by local artist B.A. Miele and a disco ball gave the vibe of an other world disco. Half the seats were removed for dancing,

Vasalyn Volochyn (White Headress) was the spokesperson for the band. Drummer Teimyra Gogitiaze translated to English. Goditiaze is the only band member who has lived in the United States . He often expanded on the translations and improvised as on the fly translation from Ukranian to American English is difficult. The combination of the drums, voices and accordion were a trancelike quality.

Inspite of the joy of their music, the war in their homeland is always in the back of their minds. They frequently mentioned the war and the impact it has had on their lives and loved ones. Acting as cultural ambassadors for Ukraine was how they are serving their country. A donation box was set aside for donations to the cause,

The love they receive from their audiences is translated into their art, energy on stage and music,

The highlight of the evening was Gogitiaze temporarily leaving his drums to lead the audience in a chant “Hamada” , even wandering down to the stage like a rock concert.

They enjoyed the performance as much as the audience did. They stayed for quite a while after the show. There was a vow to return. I hope they will too.

Their activities can be followed on https://yagody.org/en, yagody.org https://yagodyofficial.bandcamp.com , facebook & they also have a YouTube channel.

Musicians

Teinyraz Gogitiaze- drums

Zoriana Dybovska-vocals, percussion

Vasylva Voloshyn-vocals (white headress)

Tetiana Voitiv-vocals

Nadiia Paraschuk-vocals, accordion