Go_A
The band Go_A creates a modern reinterpretation of Ukrainian folklore, packaged in electronic sound. The name of the group consists of 'Go', as 'movement', and 'A', as in the ancient Greek letter 'alpha' which refers to going back to one's cultural roots.The story of the band started in 2012 when the sound producer Taras Shevchenko met signer Kateryna Pavlenko. After recording several songs together, they realized that Ukrainian folklore and electronic music are a perfect match, combing energy and emotion into an engaging mix. Today, Go_A consists of the lead singer Kateryna Pavlenko and musicians Taras Shevchenko, Ihor Didenchuk and Ivan Hryhoriak.
Kateryna Pavlenko leads the ethnic component of the band: she has studied folklore most of her life. Kateryna can sing with the so-called 'white voice', an authentic folklore technique, and has a command of a significant vocal range. Today Kateryna is a veteran choir director while she writes songs for Go_A, including the Eurovision entry Solovey, and works on her solo project.
Taras Shevchenko is a keyboard and percussion player and the sound producer of Go_A. He works in various music styles and knows how to harmonize completely different things, such as Ukrainian sopilka and Brazilian drums, or the bandura, heavy guitar riffs and drum 'n bass.
Ihor Didenchuk is a folklorist and unique multi-instrumentalist whose rich musical arsenal includes traditional Ukrainian instruments as the sopilka, frilka, floyara, telynka, trembita and drymba. Ihor is also a member of a rap group.
Ivan Hryhoriak grew up in the Carpathians. He has been playing the guitar since he was 12. Ivan has been experimenting with musical styles and sounds, including acoustics (fingerstyle), prog metal (bass guitar), double bass in a folk orchestra, and electric guitar. Ivan also works as a vocal coach in a school.
In 2016, Go_A were the winners of the contest The Best Track In Ukraine. Their song Vesnianka was immediately placed in radio rotation and topped the dance chart for 6 weeks. Consequently, they were nominated for the title of KissFM Discovery of the Year. In 2019, the song entered Top 10 іTunes Dance chart in Slovakia as well.
The band is a regular participant of international music festivals and has presented their Ukrainian music in Israel, Poland and Belarus.
For the Eurovision Song Contest, Go_A prepared the song Solovey (Nightingale), which combines electronic music, Ukrainian folk instruments and ethnic vocals. The song is based on Kateryna's personal story about a strong girl who falls in love and realizes that she is no longer taken seriously. Her power helps her turn the tables and handle the situation with dignity. It is the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest that Ukraine has submitted a song entirely in the Ukrainian language.
