User:Detipicasso/Sandbox

Deti Picasso

Deti Picasso is a five-piece, ethnically Armenian band from Moscow, who describe their style as „post modern translators of the ancient Christian Armenian folk music„. They play an unusual sort of music in Russia - head-spinning and sharp, with strong ethnic roots, psychodelia and hypnotic energy. At the centre of the band is Gaya Arutyunyan - one of the most original singers of the Armenian/Russian world music and rock scene. Gaya's voice is not operatic, smooth, or even attractive. It is jagged, nervous, and urgent. Her brother Karen Arutyunyan is responsible for the arrangements and very unique rock sound. Their collaboration makes Deti Picasso one of the most original world music bands of on the territory of the ex-Soviet Union. Between 2006 and 2011 they have toured a lot, played on the most important festivals and club scenes in Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Rep., Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, etc. They supported Massive Attack and Depeche Mode during their Russian tour in 2002, shared stage with Goran Bregovic, Roy Paci and Aretuska, etc. They played and recorded with such musicians as Alexander Hacke bass player of the German industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten, Nicola Sekulovic ex-member of Laibach , Jason Webley the American punk-accordeonist also notable for working with Amanda Palmer, Moldavian ethno rock band Zdob si Zdub, famous Russian double bass player Vladimir Volkov, Hungarian funk-jazz monsters Masfel and the legendary Budapest based sax player Istvan Grencso. The lead singer Gaya Arutyunyan has also performed in THE BOBBLE improvised opera of Bobby McFerrin. Their domestic and international success is also notable for being achieved without the aid of label backing. Deti Picasso's first studio album "Mesyac ulibok" (Month of smiles, released in 2002), full of fresh, new emotions, was a real breakthrough in Russian rock music. The band started to play the biggest music festivals in Russia and was invited to play on one stage with Depeche Mode and Massive Attack. In April 2003, Deti Picasso played at "Yubileiniy" stadium in St-Petersburg at the FUZZ magazine ceremony, and was named the "Best Newcomer of 2002". Among Gaya and Karen Arutyunyan, after some changes and substitudes the members of Deti Picasso were also Vadim Kuznetsov (chello), Bogdan Bobrov (drums) and Alexey Filippik (bass).

In 2004 Deti Picasso made their public appearance with Armenian folk dance songs combined with heavy guitar themes and innovative modern rock music. Their second studio album “Ethnic Experiments” became one of the best examples of the rising contemporary Eastern European rock and world music scene. "Ethnic Experiments".

From that time on, the band's art brings together 2 streams: psychedelic Russian rock and Armenian folk cultures. No wonder Deti Picasso won the warm acclaim of audiences and became one of the most respected bands of the Moscow music scene. The band’s second album was a real success in Armenia and especially in Hungary, after participating at Sziget festival in 2004 and 2006. This record also made the band's international breakthrough.

Their third album Glubina (Depth, released April 2006), recorded with an academic string quartet, is a sure and direct step towards new ways of musical expression. It was well received by Russian critics. The most respected music magazines, such as the Russian Rolling Stone, Play and Afisha, proclaimed “Glubina” the Best Russian Album of the Year (2006). As a result of their domestic success, they were invited to play at the biggest festivals and clubs around Europe.

In 2008 they released their second Armenian record called Turbo Mairik with which they started a long European tour. At that time cellist Vadim Kuznetsov and bass player Alexey Filippik were substituted by Ellina Khachaturyan on viola and Arpad Vajdovich on bass. Elline Khachaturyan was with Academical background, while Arpad Vajdovich was a member of dozen Hungarian bands as Kampec Dolores, Kiss Erzsi Zene, Besh O Drom, Peca, etc. In 2010 the band toured with Hungarian violin player Orsi Barczi from Realistic Crew.

In 2010 they released their double record Gerda and Kay, one released on CD by Soyuz records and the other one released only in digital form. Gerda and Kay was recorded with appearence of Alex Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten), Nikola Sekulovic (ex-Laibach), Vladimir Volkov, Tina Kuznetsova, Anastasiya Razvalyaeva, Istvan Grencso, Hans van Vliet and Lorinc Barabas.

Among the most important festival appearences of the band are Festival Musicas do Mundo in Portugal, Arezzo Love Festival (Big Stage) in Italy, Sziget festival (World Music Big Stage, Wan2 stage) in Hungary, Rock for People and Na jednom brehu festivals in the Czech Rep., Trnfest in Slovenia, Fete de la Musique in France, Gogolfest in Ukraine and more.