Kalush Orchestra Explained

Kalush Orchestra
Landscape:yes
Origin:Ukraine
Years Active:2021–present
Label:Universal Music
Spinoff Of:Kalush
Current Members:
  • Oleh Psiuk
  • Tymofii Muzychuk
  • Sasha Tab
  • Sasha Kondratiuk
  • Vitalii Duzhyk
  • MC KYLYMMEN
Past Members:
  • Andrii Handziuk
  • Ihor Didenchuk

Kalush Orchestra is a Ukrainian folk-hip hop group founded in 2021 as a side project of Kalush, performing hip-hop music in the Ukrainian language. They represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song "Stefania"[1] [2] and went on to win the competition, securing Ukraine's third Eurovision win.[3] Kalush Orchestra combines elements of Ukrainian folk music with modern production, hip-hop dance, and Ukrainian-language rap.

History

Creation

Kalush Orchestra was created in 2021 as a group of six musicians, as well as a side project of rap group Kalush, which was founded in 2019. The name comes from the city of Kalushfrontman Oleh Psiuk's hometown in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.[4]

Eurovision Song Contest and subsequent ventures

On 12 February 2022, Kalush Orchestra competed to in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy with the song "". In the final of the national selection Vidbir, they placed second with 14 points (six from the jury and eight from the audience).[5] Alina Pash received the highest score of the jury - 8 points. The audience rated her performance 7 points. These results ultimately brought the singer the first place in the rating table.[6] [7] Despite coming in second place, the band were offered the chance to represent Ukraine at Eurovision, after Pash withdrew her candidacy due to controversy regarding her travel history in Crimea.[8] [9] On 22 February, Kalush Orchestra accepted the offer.[10] On the same day, the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne published the official voting results of Vidbir 2022, confirming that Pash had been correctly chosen as the winner, contrary to Psiuk's claims.[11]

The group won the Eurovision final on 14 May with 631 points, securing Ukraine's third Eurovision victory. "" became the first song with rap lyrics to win the contest, as well as the winning song with the highest number of televote points in the history of the contest.[12] [13] The group later announced that they would put their Eurovision trophy up for auction to raise money for the Ukrainian armed forces.[14] The trophy was sold for, with proceeds earmarked for purchase of combat drones for Ukraine's military.[15] The group subsequently embarked on a promotional tour across Europe and North America to raise awareness and donations for Ukrainian efforts in combating the Russian invasion.[16] [17] [18] In November 2022, the group performed "Oy na hori" and "Stefania" at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards.[19]

On 12 July 2023, the group released "Chase" and "Human" as part of the Spotify Singles project. The tracks were recorded at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.[20]

On July 14, 2023, a Spotify Singles billboard featuring the Kalush Orchestra appeared in Times Square.[21]

In June 2023, Kalush Orchestra presented their third English-language track title "In the Fire".

In September 2023, the band released the first track "Vogon' goryt'", which means "the fire is burning" without the participation of Oleh Psiuk. The release was dedicated to an experimental mini-tour that took place in December 2023.[22]

In late September and early October 2023, the band held its first tour of Ukraine. The tour consisted of 12 concerts at which money was traditionally raised to help Ukraine.[23]

In November 2023, the band toured North America for the third time.[24]

On December 15, 2023, the band released the song "Tse liubov", which means "this is love" and its music video. In the clip, the artists were presented in new images.[25]

On February, 2024 Kalush Orchestra released track and music video "Yangolom" with means "Angel" about love.[26]

On April 5, 2024, Kalush Orchestra released the song "Viter vie" and a music video for it.[27]

Charity

On May 30, 2022, the award for winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 — the crystal microphone, was sold by "Kalush Orchestra" and Serhiy Prytula for $900,000 at a charity auction. This was the first time the trophy was sold in its history [46][47]. The trophy was acquired by the Ukrainian cryptocurrency exchange WhiteBIT. Also, at the auction, the pink panama hat of the band's lead singer was sold, raising 11 million hryvnias. The Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation announced that the funds raised would be spent on a PD-2 unmanned aerial complex for the Ukrainian army.[28]

On the eve of Independence Day, August 23, 2022, Kalush Orchestra announced a 24-hour fundraiser, collecting 24 hryvnias each for the rehabilitation of the defenders of Mariupol. They managed to raise 5 million hryvnias.[29]

Since August 2022, Kalush Orchestra has become ambassadors of the "Save Ukrainian Culture" project, initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy and the operator Vodafone Ukraine. The band carries a unique QR code to their concerts, through which they collect funds for the reconstruction of destroyed cultural monuments. After a performance in the USA, Kalush Orchestra donated 330 thousand hryvnias for the restoration of the Hryhorii Skovoroda museum in Kharkiv region, which was almost completely burned down by the Russian military.[30]

In March 2023, MC KYLYMMEN became an artist of the star landing of the All-Ukrainian public initiative for the adaptation of displaced children "Ambassador of Childhood," providing psychological and social assistance to refugee children and displaced children.[31]

On March 30, 2023, Kalush Orchestra became ambassadors of the militarized police unit «Lut'» which means «Fury».[32]

In December 2023, the band, together with the "Peremoga" Charitable Foundation, implemented the project "Magical Mail of Saint Nicholas," aiming to fulfill the dreams of children affected by the war. MC KYLYMMEN personally selected and sent gifts to 50 children, totaling about 150,000 hryvnias.[33]

During their third tour of North America in 2023, the band raised 990,225 thousand hryvnias for charity.[24]

In January 2024, the band, together with the EKO-market store chain and the "Tvoya opora" charity fund, launched a fundraiser for water purification facilities to provide clean drinking water to the Kherson Regional Hospital. In one month, the goal of 1.9 million UAH was reached. In June 2024, the facilities were installed at the hospital.[34]

Interesting Facts

On October 6, 2022, members of the band met Arnold Schwarzenegger and photographed him in a pink bucket hat.[35] Later, Schwarzenegger appeared in the band's music video for the song "Shchedryi Vechir". On May 16, 2023, Kalush Orchestra performed at the Austrian World Summit upon Schwarzenegger's invitation, an event founded by the actor.[36]

On April 10, 2023, the company "Ukrposhta" issued a new postage stamp featuring Kalush Orchestra in the hometown of the band's frontman, Oleh Psiuk, in Kalush, Ivano-Frankivsk region.[37]

On May 13, 2023, Kalush Orchestra opened the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool with the number "Voices of Generation." The introduction featured the song "Stefania" in a unique setting. The song "traveled" through various locations from Ukraine to Liverpool, journeying around the world from subways to chamber orchestras. Global stars, including British superstar Joss Stone and Andrew Lloyd Webber, joined the rappers. Princess of Wales Kate Middleton also participated in the performance. Middleton was shown playing the piano accompanied by Kalush Orchestra and Sam Ryder, who came in second place in Eurovision 2022. Apart from "Stefania," Kalush Orchestra also introduced their new English single "Changes".[38]

In December 2023, the band conducted a European mini-tour without the participation of the band's frontman Oleh Psiuk.[39]

In May 2022, the train on the route Kyiv-Ivano-Frankivsk received the official name "Stefania Express". This is the first train in the world to honor a mother in its name. The train at Kyiv, Kalush and Ivano-Frankivsk stations is greeted with the song "Stefania", which the band performed at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.[40]

Members

Current members

Discography

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positions
UKR
[41]
BEL
(FL)

[42]
GER
[43]
IRE
[44]
ITA
[45]
LTU
[46]
NLD
[47]
NOR
[48]
SWE
[49]
UK
[50]
""2021
"Trynda"
""20221 24 22 30 53 1 36 19 7 38
"Oi na hori"
"Dole moia"
"Skolykhnulas' "
"O Mamo "
"In the Shadows of Ukraine"[51]
30
"Nasze domy"[52]
"Shchedrivka"[53]
"Numo kozaky"
[54]
"Changes"[55] 2023
"Ushme Uturbe"
[56]
"In the Fire"[57]
"Chase"
"Human"
"Vogon’ goryt’"
"Tse Liubov"[58] 2024
"Yangolom"
"Viter vie"[59]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart in that territory.

As featured artist

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ukraine: Kalush Orchestra will go to Turin with 'Stefania'. Eurovision.tv. 2022-02-22. 2022-03-04. en-gb. February 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220222133217/https://eurovision.tv/story/ukraine-kalush-orchestra-to-turin.
  2. Web site: Stefania: lyrics, history, meaning of the song and its influence on Ukrainian culture . 14 July 2023 . 9 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409131852/https://tsn.ua/ato/stefania-tekst-istoriya-stvorennya-sens-pisni-ta-yiyi-vpliv-na-ukrayinsku-kulturu-2063092.html . live .
  3. Web site: Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest, Radio Liberty, 15.05. 2022 . 14 July 2023 . 29 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129084704/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-ukrayina-peremoha-yevrobachennya/31850764.html . live .
  4. Web site: "Stomber Womber" is the first song of the new band KALUSH Orchestra. Watch the clip. LISTEN - online media about music and everything around it. 2021-12-06. 2021-12-06. December 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206100416/https://slukh.media/new-music/kalush-orchestra-shtomber-womber/.
  5. Web site: Vidbir 2022 – Eurovision in times of trouble – Alina Pash to Eurovision. Farren. Neil. 12 February 2022. OnEurope. 2022-02-16. 6 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220406142751/https://oneurope.co.uk/nf-results/vidbir-2022-eurovision-in-times-of-trouble-alina-pash-to-eurovision/. live.
  6. Web site: Scandal Hits Ukraine's Eurovision 2022 Candidate . Kolomiiets . Daryana . 14 February 2022 . Kyiv Post . 18 February 2022 . 21 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220321002243/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/scandal-hits-ukraines-eurovision-2022-candidate.html . live .
  7. Web site: Скандали на Євробаченні: що відбувається . 13 February 2022 . BBC . 18 February 2022 . uk . 15 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215165808/https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/news-60368610 . live .
  8. Web site: Alina Pash: Singer won't represent Ukraine at Eurovision . Holden . Steve . 16 February 2022 . BBC . 18 February 2022 . 3 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220503223831/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-60405761 . live .
  9. News: Ukraine offers Kalush Orchestra Eurovision 2022 spot "to maintain the trust of the audience". Adams. William Lee. Wiwibloggs. 17 February 2022. 18 February 2022. 8 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220408204923/https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/02/17/ukraine-offers-kalush-orchestra-eurovision-2022-spot-to-maintain-the-trust-of-the-audience/269867/. live.
  10. Web site: Гурт "Kalush Orchestra" представить Україну на Євробаченні в Турині . uk . Kalush Orchestra will represent Ukraine at Eurovision in Turin . 22 February 2022 . . 22 February 2022 . 22 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220222122034/https://corp.suspilne.media/newsdetails/4797 . live .
  11. Web site: Як голосували журі і глядачі: Суспільне отримало протоколи з фіналу Нацвідбору . uk . How the jury and the audience voted: Public received protocols from the final of the National Selection . 22 February 2022 . . 22 February 2022 . 22 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220222125225/https://corp.suspilne.media/newsdetails/4795 . live .
  12. Web site: Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest after performance by Kalush Orchestra . Sky News . 15 May 2022 . 15 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220515051241/https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-wins-eurovision-song-contest-after-performance-by-kalush-orchestra-12613436 . live .
  13. News: Eurovision 2022: Ukraine wins, while the UK's Sam Ryder comes second. 14 May 2022. 15 May 2022. BBC News. 15 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220515055405/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61452678. live.
  14. Web site: Renee Kristiansen . Wivian . 2022-05-16 . Kalush Orchestra to auction off the Eurovision trophy . 2022-05-17 . ESCXTRA.com . en-GB.
  15. Web site: Jackson . Patrick . 31 May 2022 . Ukraine war: Eurovision trophy sold to buy drones for Ukraine . . 16 February 2023 . 13 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240713194625/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61628590 . live .
  16. Web site: 2022-06-21 . Ukrainian Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra to perform first UK concert at Glastonbury . 2022-07-02 . The Guardian . en . 13 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240713194619/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jun/21/kalush-orchestra-ukrainian-eurovision-winners-perform-glastonbury . live .
  17. Web site: Davda . Rishi . 2022-06-24 . Eurovision's Ukrainian winners say Glastonbury set a 'huge responsibility' . 2022-07-02 . ITV News . en.
  18. Web site: Gallicchio . Federico . 2022-07-03 . Eurovision 2022, Kalush Orchestra: la band prepara il tour in Nord America . 2022-07-15 . Eurofestival News . it-IT . 3 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703154917/https://www.eurofestivalnews.com/2022/07/03/eurovision-kalush-orchestra-tour-nord-america/ . live .
  19. Web site: Катя Юськів . 2022-11-14 . Kalush Orchestra виступили на престижній премії MTV EMA 2022 . 2023-07-17 . Korrespondent.net . uk . 17 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230717115458/https://ua.korrespondent.net/lifestyle/4534975-Kalush-Orchestra-vystupyly-na-prestyzhnii-premii-MTV-EMA-2022 . live .
  20. Web site: Kalush Orchestra released 2 tracks within the project Spotify Singles . Суспільне. Культура . Polina Horlach . 2023-07-14 . 2023-07-17 . uk.
  21. Web site: Фото дня: Kalush Orchestra на Times Square .
  22. Web site: 2023-09-13 . "Вогонь горить" – гурт Kalush Orchestra презентував першу пісню та кліп без Олега Псюка . 2024-02-06 . ЧаРівне . uk . 13 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240713194623/https://charivne.info/news/vohon-horit--hurt-kalush-orchestra-prezentuvav-pershu-pisnyu-ta-klip-bez-oleha-psyuka . live .
  23. Web site: info . 1 zt ua . 2023-08-12 . Kalush Orchestra відправляться в осінній тур Україною - Житомир у жовтні . 2024-02-06 . Перший Житомирський . uk.
  24. Web site: 2023-10-26 . Meet the bands touring to raise funds for Ukraine's army (and save the dates) . 2024-02-06 . Euromaidan Press . en-US . 5 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505125703/https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/10/26/meet-the-bands-touring-to-raise-funds-for-ukraines-army-and-save-the-dates/ . live .
  25. Web site: 2023-12-16 . Kalush Orchestra презентували нову пісню про любов. ВІДЕО . 2024-02-06 . kultura.rayon.in.ua . uk.
  26. Web site: Vautrey . Jonathan . 2024-02-04 . New Music From Kalush Orchestra, Remo Forrer, Mimicat And More . 2024-02-13 . wiwibloggs.
  27. Web site: Tudor . Ruxandra . 2024-04-07 . New music this week: Songs from Aiko, Marco Mengoni, Benjamin Ingrosso and more . 2024-08-03 . wiwibloggs . en-US.
  28. Web site: 2022-05-29 . Кубок Євробачення продали вперше в історії: Kalush Orchestra зібрали майже мільйон доларів . 2024-02-06 . 24 Канал . uk . 7 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220607135425/https://showbiz.24tv.ua/kubok-yevrobachennya-prodali-vpershe-istoriyi-yaku-neymovirnu_n1990858 . live .
  29. Web site: 2022-08-24 . Kalush Orchestra оголосив одноденний збір коштів на реабілітацію захисників Маріуполя . 2024-02-06 . www.ukrinform.ua . uk.
  30. Web site: Група Kalush Orchestra передала 330 тисяч на зруйнований росіянами музей Сковороди . 2024-02-06 . www.unian.ua . uk.
  31. Web site: Oleksandr . Kushnerov . NRJ Ukraine - Офіційний сайт радіостанції. Слухай NRJ в онлайн . 2024-02-06 . nrj.ua . uk.
  32. Web site: 2000-01-01 . Розпочнуть з Луцька: Kalush Orchestra вирушить у довгоочікуваний тур Україною - VSN . 2024-02-06 . vsn.ua . uk.
  33. Web site: Василь . Солтис . 2023-12-29 . КИЛИММЕН став Святим Миколаєм: гурт Kalush Orchestra та БФ PEREMOGA здійснили мрії дітей, які постраждали від війни . 2024-02-06 . uk.
  34. Web site: Гурт Kalush Orchestra допоміг зібрати для лікарні у Херсонській області 1,8 млн грн . 2024-08-03 . РБК-Украина . uk.
  35. Web site: Ліпич . Ольга . 2022-10-27 . Арнольд Шварценеггер запросив у гості Kalush Orchestra: ви надихаєте мене. Фото . 2024-02-06 . OBOZREVATEL NEWS . uk . 6 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206122233/https://news.obozrevatel.com/ukr/show/people/arnold-shvartsenegger-zaprosiv-u-gosti-kalush-orchestra-vi-nadihaete-mene-foto.htm . live .
  36. News: Шварценеггер з'явився у кліпі Kalush Orchestra. Що він там сказав українською . 2024-02-06 . BBC News Україна . uk . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314122541/https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/news-64253488 . live .
  37. Web site: Укрпошта випускає марку, присвячену річниці перемоги Kalush на Євробаченні . 2024-02-06 . Українська правда _Життя . 11 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231211023954/https://life.pravda.com.ua/society/2023/04/4/253656/ . live .
  38. News: 2023-05-05 . Eurovision 2023: Ukraine's champions Kalush Orchestra get Liverpool party started . 2024-02-06 . en-GB . 26 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240126151136/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65495434 . live .
  39. Web site: 2023-09-09 . "Без рожевої панами": Kalush Orchestra проведе мінітур без Олега Псюка . 2024-02-06 . Галицький Кореспондент . uk.
  40. Web site: Keystone-SDA . Ukrainische Eisenbahn benennt Zug nach ESC-Siegersong "Stefania" . 2024-02-13 . Nau . de.
  41. Web site: Top Radio Hits Ukraine Weekly Chart . 15 May 2022 . TopHit Music Charts . 15 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220415034828/https://tophit.ru/en/chart/ukraine/weekly/2022-04-08/all/all . live .
    Web site: Top Radio Hits Ukraine Weekly Chart . 16 December 2022 . TopHit Music Charts .
  42. Web site: Kalush Orchestra – Stefania. Ultratop. nl. 29 May 2022. 31 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531052726/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/225b94/Kalush-Orchestra-Stefania. live.
  43. Web site: Kalush Orchestra – Stefania. offiziellecharts.de. de. 20 May 2022. 16 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220516082811/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-2251668. live.
  44. Web site: Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50. Official Charts Company. 20 May 2022. 21 May 2022. 26 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220526105036/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/. live.
  45. Web site: Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 20. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. 21 May 2022. 18 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200318054616/https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2022/20. live.
  46. Web site: 2022 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 20 May 2022. 20 May 2022. 20 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220520074409/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s20/. live.
  47. Web site: Discografie Kalush Orchestra. dutchcharts.nl. nl. 20 May 2022.
  48. Web site: VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2022-20. VG-lista. 21 May 2022. 26 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220526105034/https://topplista.no/charts/singles/2022-w20/. live.
  49. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20. Sverigetopplistan. 20 May 2022. 20 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220520114159/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2022&dspp=20. live.
  50. Web site: Kalush full Official Chart History. Official Charts Company. 21 May 2022.
  51. Web site: 2022-10-21 . Kalush Orchestra und The Rasmus veröffentlichen neue Version von "In The Shadows" . 2022-10-21 . bleistiftrocker.de . de-DE . 21 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221021041614/https://bleistiftrocker.de/kalush-orchestra-und-the-rasmus-veroeffentlichen-neue-version-von-in-the-shadows/ . live .
  52. Web site: 2022-11-04 . Nasze Domy (feat. Szpaku) - Single by KALUSH & Kalush Orchestra. 2022-11-14 . . en.
  53. Web site: Kick Off the Festive Season With Our Joy-Filled Holiday Spotify Singles. PR News Room. 16 November 2022. 19 November 2022.
  54. Web site: 2022-12-02 . Козак Сіромаха та Kalush Orchestra випустили спільну бойову пісню: "Нумо козаки по конях" . 2023-04-17 . ТСН.ua . uk . 17 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417044440/https://tsn.ua/glamur/kozak-siromaha-ta-kalush-orchestra-vipustili-spilnu-boyovu-pisnyu-numo-kozaki-po-konyah-2214667.html . live .
  55. Web site: Daly . Rhian . 2023-03-03 . Listen to Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra's first English-language track 'Changes' . 2023-03-09 . NME . en-GB.
  56. Web site: Jones . Damian . 2023-04-16 . Listen to Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra's new song 'Ushme Uturbe' . 2023-06-11 . NME . en-GB . 11 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611074401/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-eurovision-winners-kalush-orchestras-new-song-ushme-uturbe-3431059 . live .
  57. Web site: Tudor . Ruxandra . 2023-06-25 . New music this week (part 1): Songs from Sudden Lights, Kalush Orchestra, wrs and more . 2023-07-30 . wiwibloggs . en-US.
  58. Web site: "Це любов" — нова робота гурту "Kalush Orchestra" про сильні почуття ВІКНА. Новини Калуша та Прикарпаття . 2024-02-13 . Vikna . uk . 13 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240713195044/https://vikna.if.ua/news/category/all/2023/12/17/149110/view . live .
  59. Web site: Гурт Kalush Orchestra допоміг зібрати для лікарні у Херсонській області 1,8 млн грн . 2024-08-03 . РБК-Украина . uk.