Odyn v Kanoe – The Best Ukrainian Indie Folk Band
If you have seen my TOP 5 Ukrainian Music Bands list, then you might have already checked this amazing group called “Odyn v Kanoe” (ukr. Один в каное). In my humble opinion, and according to pretty much anyone who heard them, this is the best Ukrainian Indie Folk band.
They have such an amazing and unique sound. It’s like nothing else you ever heard. Absolutely worth listening and experiencing. The band creates an unbelievably intricate, soft, melodic and authentic music. Angelic voice of the vocalist Iryna combined with creative guitar and percussion makes for a marvelous sound.
If you love folk genre, and you want to find something new, something different, this is the band you should check.
Who are Odyn v Kanoe? Short Bio
Odyn v Kanoe is a Ukrainian indie folk band formed in 2010 in Lviv. The band is a trio of talented musicians, with lead singer Iryna Shvayak, guitarist Oleksandr Kovalchuk, and bassist Bohdan Hrynko. The band name means “One in a Canoe” in Ukrainian. A rather interesting title, that kinda reflects intimate nature of their music.
They write their own wonderful poetic lyrics and have quite distinctive acoustic sound. The band released their first album in 2016, which quickly gained popularity. The long anticipated second album came out in 2021. Odyn v Kanoe has performed at various music festivals in and outside of Ukraine, and gained a dedicated fan base.
For the latest news about the band you can visit their official website.
Music Style of Odyn v Kanoe
The key features of Odyn v Kanoe’s musical style are simplicity and emotional depth. Their music uses acoustic instruments which helps to create a soft and intimate sound. Vocals by Iryna Shvayak are just as soft and melodic. Her singing is also a key element to the uniqueness of the group’s sound.
If we are talking about genres, their songs blend indie with folk elements. And sometimes Ukrainian motives. The creative combination of magical melodies and charming voice of Iryna creates a special style. It is both relatable and emotionally deep. It just feels authentic, it just feels real.
You don’t have to speak or understand Ukrainian to enjoy their music. It’s one of the rare cases where music speaks for itself.
Best Songs by Odyn v Kanoe
Honestly you should listen to both of their albums, because as they are truly great. Almost every song from those releases is a masterpiece on its own. And for songs that you like the most I recommend checking their lyrics in English. It will add another layer to the composition.
If you are looking for the very best hits by Odyn v Kanoe, these are their TOP 10 Songs in my book playlist:
- Пам’яті мало
- Будь мені кимось
- Небо
- Подобається, як ти ідеш
- Пообіцяй мені
- Коти
- Човен
- Веснянка
- Пішы
- Кому то тре
Enjoy them on YouTube:
If you prefer Spotify, here’s the same playlist there:
I hope this playlist brings you as much authentic emotions as it does for me. And if you love this band’s music, feel free to check other groups from Ukraine. This list is a good place to start: TOP 10 Songs by Ukrainian Bands & Music Artists.
