On Friday evening I attended the CD launch for Daughters of Donbas’ new album Songs of Stolen Children at the Tranzac.  Let me try and provide some context.  The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now been going on for four years and, of course, before that, in 2014, Russia seized the Crimea and territories in the Donbas.  The Russians are determined, as they have been since the 18th century, to erase Ukraine as a separate polity and write Ukrainian culture out of the historical record (as they have done with others such as the Crimean Tartars).  A relatively recent step in this campaign is the kidnapping of over 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been deported to “re-education” camps in Russia where, cut off from their families, they are trained to be good little Russians.  Parallels with events closer to home are a bit obvious.  Daughters of the Donbas is a band and a project dedicated to keeping this issue alive.

The band was formed by Ukrainian-Canadian Marichka; a rather intriguing combination of musician, activist and combat medic.  It plays songs influenced by Ukrainian folk traditions, indie pop, jazz and even tango.  Some of the music is, essentially, traditional and some is composed.  Similarly some of the texts are based on old songs and some are new.  The line up combines “normal” western instruments with traditional ones such as the bandura and the okaryna.  The music would be very easy to listen to if it wasn’t for the subject matter!

— Daughters of Donbas at the Tranzac–

The CD contains twelve tracks covering a wide range of the band’s styles.  My favourites are probably the tracks that cleave closest to tradition.  Just to give one example, the first track “Foreign Land” is based on an old song about young girls from poor families being sent away to become indentured servants; probably never to see their family again.  It’s only a personal view but I find the songs rooted in long standing and deep issues to be the most powerful.

It’s all extremely well played and sung (in Ukrainian of course but translations are provided).  The recording quality is perfectly acceptable too.  That said, short of attending a concert I don’t know how you can get hold of a copy.  I’ll add that information if I get it.

As well as the concert on Friday there was a showing of a documentary film by Olena Tumanska.  4.5.0 follows Marichka on her travels to and from Ukraine including her time as a combat medic with the 3rd tank battalion of the Ukrainian forces.  It’s a disconcerting mix of the graphic and the domestic; which is probably the point.  Quite visceral combat footage is combined with embroidery ad manufacturing jewellery from cartridge cases!  BTW 450 is Ukrainian Army comms code for “Everything is quiet/OK”.  It’s worth seeing if it comes your way.

— Marichka and Olena —

The band is off on a Pacific tour as of today and if you happen to be Vancouver, Tokyo, Adelaide or Auckland they are coming your way.  They will be back in Toronto on March 22nd with a concert at Drom Taberna.