Ukrainian underground multimedia project & band
One of the most extravagant experimental formations that Ukrainian alternative scene ever had. The project was launched in the beginning of 90's under the supervision of once legendary now half forgotten east Ukrainian cultural organization "Novaya Scena", which main achievement became CD compilation of Ukrainian alternative music on german label “What So Funny About” 13 years ago. Foa Hoka had their debut there, as a post industrial neo folk combo. The band started putting together early 90s industrial trends with sharp lo-fi grooves boldly combined with lush melody polyphonia and unexpectably emotional crooning. Past decade brought some specific changes to their conception. At this very moment, after Germany and Poland tours, a number of CD releases & bootlegs, numerous appearances on various modern art festivals, the band strongly holds its position as Ukraine’s most consistent and up-to-date underground project. Foa Hoka was formed in January 1991 in Chernihiv by Dmytro Kurovsky [vocals/synth/flute] and Vladyslav Dikhtyarenko [synth/guitars/programming]. In 1994 they were joined by Ivan Moskalenko [bass], known as DJ Derbastler. In 2002 Foa Hoka becomes an open project for all artists who just feels the same. In the spirit of contemporaneity, the band's music evolves constantly. In 2005 Serge Dubsrovsky AKA DJ dubmasta began participating in live gigs and studio sessions, before & after every live performance he plays DJ set based on Foa Hoka productions. The artists are continually searching for new, hopefully surprising musical ideas, primarily in Foa Hoka's own Midi Free Studio. Since 1997 the band collaborates with experimental video producers Oleh Chorny and Hennadiy Khmaruk also known as the Sampled Pictures creative unit. In cooperation they created a number of music videos presented in Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Russia and the United States. Foa Hoka has performed in Germany, Austria, Poland, Russia and Ukraine, but the band engages primarily in studio work. Favorite sounds and instruments include flutes, violins, distortion effects, brass instruments, retro analogue synthesizers, sub bass, guitars, hypnotic samples, abstract beats & dub vibrations. Foa Hoka's music is described as experimental rock combined with post-industrial electronics, minimal techno, psychedelic ambient and new- and cold-wave elements. It is sometimes called "folk industrial" or "uneasy listening" in "quasi-lounge" atmosphere. The albums "Worldwide Remixed Vol.1 & 2" on Sale & SKP Records represent different remixes by various underground artists from Ukraine, Germany, Austria and Russia. Foa Hoka has greatly updated its studio and rare analogue equipment during last few years, today guitarist & producer Evgen Hodosh, from famous Kazma Kazma band, with saxophonist Sergey Protsenko joins the project. It was resulted an internet free download release “Analogue Traffic EP” ( http://skprec.com/skpsn005-foa-hoka-analogue-traffic ) and multimedia DVD release “Complete Artworks 1978-2008” featuring continuous slideshow of Dmytro Kurovsky ( http://www.myspace.com/dmytrokurovskiy ) artworks backing Foa Hoka “best of” mix called “Love Never Dies.Mixed by Dubmasta” ( http://www.megaupload.com/?d=D8QEGMDE ). Last release on SKP records “Tracks Off: The History Vol. 2. 1993-2009” is compilation of new and unreleased tracks with live videos and clips as limited edition CD/DVD & edited Net EP ( http://skprec.com/foa-hoka-tracks-off-ep-skpsn017 ).