Okean Elzy biography

Rock band

Genres: indie rock, indie pop, art rock

Year of foundation: 1994

Country: Ukraine

History of the band Okean Elzy:

One of the most famous Ukrainian bands in the world, Okean Elzy was founded in 1994 in Lviv. The first major appearance on stage dates back to January 1995, when the band performed in front of about seven thousand people near the Lviv Opera House. The same year, Okean Elzy took part in the Chervona Ruta festival, and in 1996 they released a maxi-single.

Even then, Okean Elzy began to tour actively, not only in Ukraine but also abroad. In 1998, the band moved to Kyiv, signed a record deal with Nova Records, and presented their first studio album. Their songs topped the charts, and the band quickly became known throughout the country.

They entered the new millennium with a new album, after which they received the "Best Pop Band" award at the Tauride Games for two years in a row. The following year, Okean Elzy presented an album that many call the best in the band's work and beyond. It includes the song "911" and other hits.

Over the next ten years, Okean Elzy released four albums: one in 2003, “Gloria” (2005), one in 2007, and “Dolce Vita” (2010). In 2013, the band presented a new album that, among other things, included a song that later became known throughout the world. In May, the band began a stadium tour in support of the release.

The following year, the band celebrated its 20th anniversary with a big concert at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex in Kyiv. In 2016, Okean Elzy released another album, and in 2017 went on tour in support of it. Also in 2017, the band announced a sabbatical, after which they presented a new single in March 2018.

2024 was marked by two music albums: "Lighthouse" and another Ukrainian-language release. "Lighthouse" became the first English-language album in Okean Elzy's discography and features 10 songs, including the eponymous "Lighthouse", recorded together with the leader of the Goo Goo Dolls, John Rzeznik, as well as the song "Voices Are Rising". These albums are also special because they were released for the 30th anniversary of Okean Elzy.

The band continues to give concerts in Ukraine and tours the world, including performances at charity events. Okean Elzy is an iconic Ukrainian band that has not only released many hits and gained worldwide recognition, but has also had a significant impact on the development of Ukrainian music.

Lineup:

• Svyatoslav Vakarchuk - vocalist
• Denys Glinin - drummer
• Denys Dudko - bassist
• Milos Yelich - keyboardist

Albums:

• 2024 - "Lighthouse"
• 2024 - "Album title unavailable"
• 2016 - "Bez mezh"
• 2013 - "Zemlya"
• 2010 - "Dolce Vita"
• 2007 - "Mira"
• 2005 - "Gloria"
• 2003 - "Supersymmetry"
• 2001 - "Model"
• 2000 - "Yananebibuv"
• 1998 - "Tam, de nas nema"