Zdob și Zdub
Since the mid 90's Zdob si Zdub combines the hardcore and Moldovan folklore in a unique and elegant way, offering a spectacular live show…call them ethno-rockers, if you wish! Add some hip-hop, drum'n'bass, jungle, punk… an original music crossover, the meeting point of urban intensity and rural spirit. This charismatic band leaves deep traces in Moldova’s music history, however feeling at home in front of any audience it reaches.Zdob si Zdub performed in more than 20 European countries, from small clubs to big festivals.
Over the years, Zdob si Zdub opened for renowned bands like: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Emir Kusturica & No Smoking Orchestra, Korn, Biohazard, Rollins Band, Rage Against The Machine, Soulfly, The Garbage, Fun Lovin' Criminals and many others.
The music’s personality is also transmitted through the videos that accompany 17 songs. Most videos can be viewed on Youtube.
The band’s music was appreciated in various contests (like Eurovision Song Contest 2005, placed 6th) and by various TV channels (among them, MTV Europe), magazines, radio stations, thus enriching its collection of awards.
In order to bring additional authenticity to its sound, Zdob si Zdub recorded songs, but also played live, with traditional singers as Vasile Dinu (MC Vasile, from Romania), Osoianu Sisters (Moldova), Trio Erdenko (Russia) and others.
The band was invited to participate in a number of projects, one of the major ones being Linz Europe Tour 2007-2009 - a European cultural project that gathered many artists from the Danubian countries. One of the main results of the project was a collaboration song between Hubert von Goisern, the leader of Linz Europe Tour, and Zdob si Zdub, but also the release of the album Ethnomecanica, on the Lavine/Sony label.
October 2010 brought an entirely Russian album, called Beloe Vino / Krasnoe Vino. The album includes Russian versions of some of their own songs, and cover versions of folklore and other songs.
Moreover, the band has been working on exclusively new material sung in English and Romanian that in the near future will be presented to the public. It is the result of the band’s and producer’s (Marc Elsner) hard-work and creative quest.
In February 2011, Zdob si Zdub once again won the right to represent Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany.