Zrada Cultural Academy () is a popular band, who performs neo-Ukrainian folk rock music. They hail from Winnipeg, Canada. The Canadian born musicians use their Ukrainian heritage as a source of inspiration for their ethno-punk/folk/ska/reggae flavoured music. The word Zrada in Ukrainian means treachery.
Overview
The Canadian prairies have always been known as a land strong in Ukrainian Heritage. Ukrainian folk music can be heard in every town and city from Edmonton to Winnipeg. Many Ukrainian prairie bands have played weddings, zabavas ( Ukrainian dance parties), and socials for over a century, and their legacy continues to the present. In their spirit, a new band has emerged to continue this rich tradition.
Zrada bursts into song with the enthusiasm that only the youth possess. After the release of their 4 song extended play “Return of the Wagon”, it was followed by sold-out shows at Winnipeg's infamous Kingshead Pub. The release of “Return of the Wagon” also left their fans with questions like “Where did the wagon go?”; “Who took it?”; and “That’s not my horse, is it?" these questions were left completely unanswered, which is why Zrada is in the studio currently recording a full length album.
While in their live show, the boys of Zrada play their interpretations of several traditional folk songs, while the majority of their material is original. The compositions, written in a folk style, strive to project the same emotion and imagery as traditional Ukrainian songs. Fans embrace the energy, the contradictions, the emotion and the beauty and join in on the ancient spiritual dance where mosh pits are more than welcome. Their shows really do require fans to bring their passports, for a truly unique cultural experience.
Zrada - The Members
Andriy Michalchyshyn - Is the band's main song writer, composer and vocalist. He plays the guitar, sopilka (flute), trumpet, drymba (mouth harp), accordion, trembita ( Hutsul shepherd's horn)
Taras Babiak - Accompanies with Bass, adding to the unique groove, and backs up on vocals.
Dobryan Tracz - He rounds out Zrada's vibrant and exciting sound. He plays the guitar and Trans-Carpathian whistle, and backs up on vocals.
Mikhas Chabluk - He is a relentless violinist, and backs up on vocals.
Steven Sirski - He is the architect of Zrada's complex percussion and plays drums.
Zrada - The Band
There is ambiguity over the date of formation of The Zrada Cultural Academy some say it was founded April 16th, 2006, others says earlier in 2005. Regardless of the date they have been forging music ever since. All members of Zrada Cultural Academy were born in Canada. All band members have been involved with everything Ukrainian, including Ukrainian music, since they were born into very musically oriented families. Zrada would not be where it is today without the support of their families, or the perogies provided by their Baba's. The members feel a strong and passionate connection to their ancestral homeland, which is what brought them together to express of their culture, their love of good music and a passion for their ancestral homeland. It is this emotional mixture that leads to Zrada's distinct sound.
They feature songs that drive forward with the passion and intensity of the Cossacks fighting spirit for Ukraine many centuries ago. The pounding, but danceable, beats and rhythms are provided by the funkiest rhythm section in Winnipeg, Steve and Taras. The vocals and lead guitar melodies are performed by the behemoth, Andriy, and are accompanied by the fiery violin of Mikhas and the violent guitars of Dobryan. The Zrada Cultural Academy is not just a band, but a school to learn the new wave of Ukrainian music. Zrada's style of music is a unique mix of Ukrainian and Eastern European folk melodies with ska, reggae, punk and rock twist.
The members of the band set out with the goal to take their Ukrainian roots into the modern world by fusing it with music they grew up with in Winnipeg. Inspired by Balkan and Slavic melodies; sultry gypsy dances; so-Cal punk rock, reggae and Ska, Zrada Cultural Academy's sound is a tight maelstrom of intricate melodies, unyielding grooves, and emotional beauty. Other sources of inspiration include famous influential Ukrainian figures such as Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko, Lesia Ukrainka, and Dr. Oleksander Tysovsky.
Discography/ Albums
Zrada Cultural Academy is currently in the studio recording, and will be releasing a full length album "Zrada" in early January of 2009.
In June of 2006 Zrada released a four song extended play, “Return of the Wagon”.
Kingshead Pub - Show (March 28, 2006)
Songs New songs include; Give me liquor () from the up comming album "Zrada" (2009)
Finally Thursday () from the up comming album "Zrada" (2009)
Black Sky () from the up comming album "Zrada" (2009)
Wolf () from the up comming album "Zrada" (2009)
Winter () from the up comming album "Zrada" (2009)
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