A humorous and groovy evening with folk/rock band Otava Yo from Saint Petersburg – songs celebrating russian life, love and antics. Otava Yo defy definition as a band; you just have to experience them! Traditional russian folk melodies blended together with hilarious lyrics and infectious music – timeless, yet utterly contemporary.
This russian cult band came together in a spirit of free expression. They bring us a birds eye view of Slavic village life with all it´s madness, passion, party spirit and joie de vivre.
Otava Yo was established in 2003, without any clear plans. The members of the group were already established artists and bursting with ideas. Otava Yo gave them a creative space which they lacked elsewhere. The band take their music making with the utmost seriousness, whilst not taking themselves at all seriously. The musicians are impressively versatile. Use of traditional instruments such as the gusli, zhaleika and fiddle, conjure up age-old folk tunes. Yet the overall effect is described as "russian-gothic rhythm and blues”. Both the band and Festival believe this will be a night for the public to remember…
Otava Yo storm the stage bedecked in fur shapki, well worn dungarees, and armed with witty one-liners. Little wonder that they are so loved back in St. Petersburg. Their concert at Nordic will be the first opportunity for the norwegian public to join the party.
The video ”Prov Ivana Groove” has become a You Tube-phenomenon with almost 220.000 hits, and in January 2015 they followed it up with a new release.
Nordic´s audience will savour this gloriously surreal, raucous, dance night with St. Petersburg´s finest.