Gyvata | nl

The band was formed at the beginning of 2009 as a youth folk music club led by the famous Lithuanian alternative composer Donis. The band‘s name, which means “Life”, was chosen after the writings of the Lithuanian philosopher Vydūnas. He spoke of the “Nation‘s life as a living mental world”, which is and must remain critical to the humanity and the whole world. “What we mean here is culture, language, language’s richness, people’s ways and traditions, their spiritual manifestations and the mark of humanity in the circle of a nation’s life.”

Gyvata made its first steps on stage at a local university’s talent night with their song Dolijuta (which remains one of the most popular songs to this day). In summer 2010 the band played at their first festival Tek saulužė ant maračių (Nida, Lithuania), then quickly gained momentum and started participating at various other events, crowned by the annual festival of Baltic culture Mėnuo Juodaragis and the modern folk festival Suklegos. The end of 2010 marked the release of a split album with the Belorussian dark-ambient group Pragnavit. The album, called Ad Gloriam/Broliai Karelin Jojo, was dedicated to the 600th anniversary of the Grunwarld Battle.

The year 2011 began with even more concerts, new band members and new songs, which were compiled into Gyvata’s first full album Su Vėjužiu Kalbėjau (I Talked with the Wind). The album, characterised by a dreamy sea-side spirit, was successfully introduced in 2012 and now it is almost all sold out. In 2016 both the split Broliai karelin jojo and Su Vėjužiu Kalbėjau were re-released as Broliai Karelin Jojo, su Vėjužiu Kalbėjo.

2013 marked a new lineup and new songs, it was also the first time for Gyvata to play abroad at Noc Besov festival (Slovakia).

Each new member joining during 2014-2016 brought in something new, slightly shifting Gyvata’s sound. In 2016 the band began recording a new album Išvandravau (which refers to taking off, e.g. to a journey), which was released early in 2017 and features the songs created throughout 2013-2015 with one completely new song, which still fits in the said "stage" of the band's creative life.


Current members:
Elena (violin, vocal),
Audrius (guitar),
Agneta (kanklės),
Gabrielė (guitar),
Vaidotas (bass),
Agnė (vocal)

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