ShchukaRyba
Year of foundation – 2018
City – Kyiv (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian
Genre – traditional Ukrainian music
Lineup:
- Denys Ivaniv;
- Dmytro Kokoshko;
- Margarita Kokoshko;
- Stepan Andrushchenko;
- Sofia Andrushchenko;
- Yaryna Sizyk and others.
History of the group
ShchukaRyba is a Ukrainian folklore group formed at the Ivan Honchar Museum in Kyiv. The group has been leading its history since 2018. The founders of the group were immersed in the atmosphere of folk art since childhood. The musicians grew up literally in the courtyard of the Ivan Honchar Museum, where they constantly visited exhibitions, dances and concerts. It was there that their first musical rehearsals took place. And since then, folk culture has become an integral part of the artists' lives. They admit that from the very beginning they were immersed not just in music, but in the world of folklore - real, deep, living.
The basis of the ShchukaRyba group was a group of people with musical and folklore education. All of them already had significant experience in participating in various creative projects. The members of the group were united by a common interest in traditional music. The artists went to events together, spent their leisure time, exchanged ideas. And in the end, they came to the conclusion that it was worth starting cooperation within their own group, where everyone could realize their knowledge and skills.
The name was also chosen collectively and not immediately. They settled on "Shchuka-Ryba". This is a folklore image and a fixed phrase that is often found in folk texts. There are no hidden meanings in the name. It is simply a good sound and the case when the words arouse curiosity and are easy to remember.
Creative path
At first, the ShchukaRyba group focused exclusively on singing. However, after about a year and a half, the members came to the conclusion that there were significantly fewer performers of traditional Ukrainian music than singing groups. In Kyiv, such musical groups could be counted on the fingers of one hand. And there were almost no young people among them. This prompted the expansion of the musical group.
Like-minded people began to gather. Mostly - those who already had experience in playing or sought to develop in this direction, and at the same time shared the vision of the format of future parties. The musicians played in the open air, performed at various events and even participated in commercial events. Initially, the composition was limited to six participants. However, over time, both the vocal and instrumental parts of the group gradually replenished with new people.
According to the group's member, folklorist Yaryna Sizyk, real popularity and recognition came after a full-scale invasion. When Ukrainians began to actively take an interest in their own roots. With their activities, ShchukaRyba began the formation of a new wave of young Ukrainian groups. Interestingly, the audience that attends the group's dance parties is also mostly young people. The musicians reproduce the sound of authentic Ukrainian music, and people dance around them.
Both loyal fans and random passers-by who simply pass by, stop, listen and, interested, come closer join the dance. The atmosphere of the evenings is sincere and relaxed: someone comes to relax, someone comes to chat or just have fun while moving. Thus, the musicians prove that everyone can dance and indulge in the special atmosphere of dance: both stars and ordinary Ukrainians. The most popular venue for live performances by the ShchukaRyba band members is Artists' Alley in Kyiv.
Style and development of the band
The ShchukaRyba band does not just play music - it revives Ukrainian traditions. At the heart of the band's creativity are authentic singing and folk melodies that sounded even before the Soviet cultural transformations. The combination of live music, songs and dance recreates the ancient tradition of the Ukrainian village. After all, once compositions were created not for the stage, but for people - for joint leisure, joy and unity. This is a kind of revival and transfer of folk culture to the modern urban space.
The ShchukaRyba members are open to creative cooperation. So, in collaboration with Yaroslav Tatarchenko, guitarist Yevhen Pugachev, and Mykhailo Birchenko from Hyphen Dash, they created beautiful experimental freckles "All the Chickens" and "Galynonka". Among the band's other compositions that quickly became real hits are the songs:
- “It's Not a Swallow” (together with Bunht, Yevhen Puhachov);
- “Oh on the Mountain”;
- “What's in Pan Ivan's House” (together with Bunht, Yevhen Puhachov);
- “Oh, there was a daughter in the father's house”;
- “What's Holy” (together with Bunht, Yevhen Puhachov);
- “Balada” (together with Alina Pash).
In collaboration with electronic musician Bunht and guitarist Yevhen Pugachov, ShchukaRyba released the album “What's Holy…” The release is presented by five compositions. The sound of the album's tracks effectively combines traditional Ukrainian music and electronic sound.
Social activity
The members of the group ShchukaRyba not only preserve and popularize traditional Ukrainian music, but also actively volunteer in difficult times for the country. From the very beginning of the full-scaleinvasion, the artists met the war with a useful cause. In Kyiv, they wove camouflage nets. This daily rhythm helped to keep themselves in check, organized their thoughts, and allowed them to better overcome psychological stress.
Despite the war, the musicians continue to develop culture. They organize performances, the messages about which are published on their social networks. For ShchukaRyba, traditional music is both art and a way to talk to people, support their mood, and unite around Ukrainian identity.
Interesting facts about the band:
- the band members starred in the musical film "Carols on Kudryavtsy", singing authentic Ukrainian carols;
- in August 2022, the band's performance took place as part of the second joint broadcast of DTF Magazine and the online radio Gasoline. The event was dedicated to the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's Independence;
- The article, most of which is dedicated to the work of ShchukaRyba, was published in the New York Times.
