From Russia, With Love: Flying Balalaika Brothers Embark on East Coast Tour
The Boisterous and Bouncy Band Brings Its High-Octane Performances On The
Road
Austin-based Russian folk psych-rockers Flying Balalaika Brothers are hitting the East Coast with their unique brand of live music performance for nine days only starting early September. The self-described “Russian Psycho-Gypsy Rock” band blends modern-day and traditional sounds to create a futuristic fusion of experimental world music.
Armed with electric guitars, an accordion, a metal-influenced drummer, the Flying Balalaika
Brothers’ performances center around the band’s namesake–a massive balalaika. Seamlessly
moving from slower traditional Russian folk songs to guitar and drum-driven punk rock, the
group’s high-energy shows feel more like a block party than a performance. “Our shows are
extremely interactive,” says Flying Balalaika Brothers Founder Zhenya Kolykhanov. “Our
concerts illuminate the passion, excitement and sorrow for which the Gypsy music is famous for.
Once audiences old and new experience the music, they begin to appreciate its power and
emotion,” bassist Aaryn Russell adds.
The band–consisting of Zhenya Kolykahanov (balalaika, guitar, accordion), Sergey Vashchenko (balalaika, accordion), along with brothers Aaryn (bass) and Dustin Russell (drums)–draws inspiration from a plethora of performers including Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and even Tom Waits. The punk-steeped, folk-rock fused band formed almost twenty years ago and has been performing their over-the-top act for audiences across the country ever since. In their time as a band, the Flying Balalaika Brothers have been featured at festivals, on television and in movies. The gregarious group kicks off their East Coast tour September 6 with a performance at the Tangle Festival in Pennsylvania before ending at the Museum of Modern Renaissance in Massachusetts September 14. The full East
About the Flying Balalaika Brothers
The Flying Balalaika Brothers, founded 1995 by Zhenya Kolykhanov, first began as an LA street band before establishing their roots in the musically zealous city of Austin, Texas. For nearly 20 years, the feisty and funky group has entranced audiences with their unique blend of Gypsy folk and electric rock n' roll and eye-catching, interactive performances featuring instruments like the behemoth contra balalaika, a triangle shaped stringed instrument from Russia.