- Year of foundation – 2020
- City – Lviv (Ukraine)
- Language – Ukrainian
- Genre – modern folk music
Lineup:
- Maryan Pyryh (frontman, guitar);
- Markiyan Turkanyk (vocals, violin);
- Lesyk Omodada (percussion);
- Kristov Vikov (bassoon);
- Yuriy Khvostov (oboe);
- Artem Kamenkov (double bass).
Former members:
- Olexandr Marusyak (trombone, vocals, sakbut);
- Vsevolod Sadovy (percussion, vocals);
- Mark Tokar (double bass, vocals).
History of the group
Pyrig i Batig is a Ukrainian musical group from Lviv, performing folk music. The group was founded by Lviv musician Marian Pyrog (real name – Pyrozhok) – vocalist and leader of the group GYCH Orchestra. The leader of the now famous group grew up in a family where the Ukrainian language and music were always heard and an atmosphere of creativity was present. His father played in restaurants, listened to many Western performers and instilled in his son a love for various genres.
While still in school, Marian wrote music to Pavlo Tychyna’s text “The Groves Are Noisy”. It was then that the future artist first discovered the world of Ukrainian poetic culture from literature lessons. The young man was especially fascinated by Tychyna’s early work, which remains an important source of inspiration for the musician to this day.
The Pyrig project initially emerged as a solo initiative. Maryan began creating songs based on poems by Ukrainian poets and in 2016 presented the album "Poetic", which consisted of compositions based on texts by Pavlo Tychyna. Over time, the bright idea received new development and in 2020 transformed into the Pyrig and Batig group.
The name of the group has a symbolic meaning. According to the participants, the "whip" in this case is not an instrument of punishment, but a cultural artifact. It reminds of the dramatic past and at the same time turns into a tool of enlightenment. Just as a whip once left a mark on the body, now it leaves a "metaphorical scar" in the memory of culture. Therefore, the group interprets "pouring a whip" as "singing a song".
Creative path
Pyrig and Batig gained recognition and popularity in creative circles and among fans of sung poetry with the release of their first album, "Singing-speaking". The discographic debut became a conceptual album-mystery of modern Ukrainian author's music. The album was created based on the singing of Stepan Rudansky, a classic of national poetry. The album included twelve tracks that tell the stories of the era of serfdom.
The recording took place in the chamber atmosphere of the "Laughter and Noise" farm in the Ternopil region. The technical side of the work was managed by sound producer and farm owner Vadym Voznyak.
The release of the album caused a public outcry and noticeably increased the interest of listeners. After the release, the band's concerts as part of the tour took place in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil. The musicians also participated in a number of festivals:
- “Border” (Ivano-Frankivsk, 2020);
- Ticket to the Sun (Vinnytsia region, 2021);
- “Zashkiv” (village of Zashkiv, 2021);
- “Winter Land of Dreams” (Lviv, 2022) together with “Vopli Vidoplyasova”.
Style and development of the group
The musical and poetic project Pyrig i Batig was created to explore the beauty of the Ukrainian language and poetics. And also to make them closer to the listening audience through music. The group rethinks the folk song and gives a new sound to Ukrainian poetry. In the group's works, you can hear lines by Stepan Rudansky, Taras Shevchenko, Bohdan-Ihor Antonych, Volodymyr Sosyura, Mykhailo Petrenko and other authors.
Pyrig i Batyh skillfully combines folk, chamber intonations, jazz motifs and experimental sound techniques. For example, in the album "Zamordovani. Podzvin pershy" there are noticeable baroque echoes.
The creativity of Pyrig i Batyh is always about intelligence, taste and depth, which remains with the listener for a long time.
Social activity
After 2022, the group Pyrig i Batyh continued its educational work. But the main emphasis of the musicians is on charity concerts. All funds raised are directed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thanks to the patriotic upsurge and the growth of interest in Ukrainian culture, the band with its unique charisma significantly expanded its audience and gained a new wave of popularity.
In 2023, after the liberation of a significant part of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, Pyrih i Batih, with the support of the Artdacha charity fund and the UkraЇner team, went on a special tour of the cities and villages of Slobozhanshchyna. The band gave ten planned concerts - from performances in village clubs to improvised live performances in the open air. Anyone could come and listen to the music. Admission was free, and you could help through voluntary donations for the needs of the army.
The band's discography:
- “Singing and Speaking” (2021);
- “Green” (2023);
- “Murdered. The First Ringing Bell (2024).
Each release became a real hit and expanded the group's fan base. The team's future plans include completing the projectwith the recording of two more parts of the album "Zamordovani", which will feature texts by Ukrainian poets. In addition, the musicians are considering the idea of a separate project entirely dedicated to the work of Pavlo Tychyna.
