Nu Virgos
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nu virgos | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin | Russia Ukraine | |
| Genre(s) | Dance-Pop Pop/Rock Teen Pop Adult Contemporary Urban Pop |
|
| Years active | 2000–present | |
| Website | Official site | |
| Members | ||
| Vera Brezhneva, Albina Dzhanabaeva and Olga Koryagina | ||
Nu Virgos (also known as ВИА Гра - an allusion toVia Gra due to first three letters, which stand for vocal-instrumental band) is a Ukrainian/Russian girl group, that hit the charts in their country in September 2000 with their first single. Their first success in Europe was in May 2004, with the single Stop! Stop! Stop!.
Albina Dzhanabayeva replaced Svetlana Loboda, singer who previously substituted Anna Sedokova (Anya Sedakova) when the latter married FC Dynamo Kyiv football star Valentin Belkevich and became pregnant. And Olga Korjagina replaced Christina Katz-Gotlib, who have replaced Nadezhda Granovskaja after she left the group. One by one the new audio and video smashes followed. After “Popytka No. 5” more videos were out on the screens: “Obnimi menya” (Hold me closer), “Bomba” (Bomb), “Ya ne vernus” (I won’t be back). By the end of the year NU VIRGOS’ repertoire comprised 7 songs that was fairly enough to embark on a tour. The group’s first ever live date took place in Dnepropetrovsk on the stage of the city’s Ledoviy Palace in front of some 4 000 spectators. Further shows were also hugely acclaimed. In order to capitalize on that the group’s management decided to release the first full-length NU VIRGOS’ effort which, as expected, was entitled after their major smash “Popytka No. 5”. The interest towards NU VIRGOS concentrated, thickened and almost materialized.
Within 2001 NU VIRGOS collected some of their first prestigious awards: “A Hundred Pood Hit” from HIT FM Radio, “Golden Gramophone” from “Russian Radio” all in addition to winning the “Golden Firebird” prize at the Ukrainian annual festival “Tavriyskiye Igry”. 2002 saw the group becoming a trio instead of being a duet and changing their musical direction. In spring the ladies appeared in their new video “Stop! Stop! Stop!” whose success was so stunning that enabled NU VIRGOS to take part in the “Ovation” Music Award Ceremony held at the Moscow’s State Central Concert Hall “Rossiya”. In September a new video was out for public view – this time “Good morning, papa!”, and closer to that year’s end the ladies from NU VIRGOS also displayed themselves as actresses having played the roles of crowned heads in a TV musical called “Zolyshka” (Cinderella).
The beginning of 2003 coincided with a new phase of NU VIRGOS’ popularity following the release of one of the group’s best efforts – marvelous and dramatic “Ne ostavlyay menya lyubibiy” (Don’t ever leave me love), complete with an eponymously titled video tape containing a collection of NU VIRGOS’ videos. On April, 16, 2003 the ladies appeared at a press-conference dedicated mainly to the group’s new release “Stop! Snyato!” (Stop! That’s a wrap!) which included four new songs along with several remixes. A few more reasons to meet with the media were the prestigious Russian MUZ TV awards and the “Soundtrack” award all won by NU VIRGOS. In May the group astonished (exactly so!) everyone with their new video “Ubey moyu podrugu” (Kill my girlfriend). Especially for the said video, which was regarded by many as a burlesque to the pompous music festival “Song of the Year”, the sexy divas had added to their established super-desired cutie image a dewy drop of irony having a good laugh, according to their own words, mostly at themselves.
With each and every new release NU VIRGOS were becoming better and better, climbing higher and higher, although at times it seemed there was no more room upwards. By the end of 2003 their popularity reached such proportions that, having completed their new “Biologiya” (Biology) album, they commenced taking international music heights by storm. Their first English-language album “Stop! Stop! Stop!” saw the light of day in Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Scandinavian countries instantly becoming real sought-for items for all NU VIRGOS followers. More videos appeared on TV – melodically and lyrically strong “Okean I tri reki” (Ocean and three rivers) and “Prityazhenya bolshe net” (No attraction anymore) (both in duet with singer Valeriy Meladze) shortly followed by the sexually-provoking “Biologiya”. In summer of 2004 NU VIRGOS were awarded the Russia’s most prestigious music award “MUZ TV 2004” and completed a widely hailed world tour spanning the territories like South East Asia, Israel and America.
The year 2005 was marked by the launch of the Russian version of the legendary act’s official web-site as well as by the release of three new videos: “Take you back”, “I don’t want a man” and “Brillianty” (Diamonds). Additionally NU VIRGOS picked up their second in a row MUZ TV’s “The Best Pop Act” award.
In January 2006 Nu Virgos were officially represented as a participant at MIDEM 2006 – the world’s largest music market held in Cannes, France. Despite the heavy touring this year the group have offered two more publicly and critically acclaimed videos: “Obmani no ostansya” (Tell me lie) and “L.M.L.” and completed a long-awaited new English album, their second after “Stop! Stop! Stop!”, which is due this autumn.
September 2006 has marked the 6th anniversary of the sexiest act throughout the CIS. For years the phenomenon of this extra-popular outfit cannot be discovered neither by critics, nor by the media, nor by the trio’s enormous army of followers. Nevertheless the puzzle of their success is quite simple. Nu Virgos (a.k.a.V.I.A. «GRA» in Ukraine, Russia and other ex-USSR territories) it’s the talent, beauty, amazing energy and magnetism of the vocalists Vera Brezhneva, Albina Dzhanabayeva and Olga Koryagina, music, wonderful songs and gentle soul of composer Konstantin Meladze, high-precision estimation of manager Dmitriy Kostiuk complete with professionalism, harmony and superb taste in everything from musical arrangements to stage costumes. Just several ingredients have given life to the act that has no equal neither by external image, nor by musical content. A second English language album "LML" is scheduled for release in November, 2006
Contents |
[edit] Singers
Vera Brezhneva Singer Born February 3, 1982, Dniprodzerzhynsk Ukraine. Grew up in a large family in an environment of her three sisters – the elder one and two younger twins. Since she was 14 she had been working after school hours as a baby-sitter, a sales girl and a dish-washer at a café. After the school she entered the Economics Department of the Railway Transport Engineering University, Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine. Gave birth to a daughter, Sonya, to whom she is now a style icon. Joined the group owing to her own persistence and artistry, having performed with NU VIRGOS on the Dnepropetrovsk city beach. She got noticed… With her entry the group reached their heyday.
Albina Dzhanabaeva Singer Born April 9, 1979, Volgograd, Russia. Completed the music school majoring in piano and the department of musical theatre actor at the Gnesynikh Institute. Was contracted to work in Korea. In the musical named “Snowy White and the Seven Dwarves” sang the part of the foreigner-Snowy White in Korean. Joined singer Valeriy Meladze as a back vocalist where stayed for two years and displayed not only professional singing skills but also her kind and likeable nature. Finally the autumn of 2004 saw her entry in NU VIRGOS following Valeriy’s recommendation. Easily joined in with the group and introduced a warm aura into it. Currently resides in Moscow, brings up a son named Kostya.
Olga Koryagina Singer B. January 22, 1986, Nikolayev Ukraine. Since 5 sang in a children choir, attended an aerobics-class and an artistic coterie, was engaged in swimming. At the age of 6 entered a music school majoring in piano where she studied for 3 years and a half. For years she has been a loyal Konstantin Meladze’s fan whose songwriting abilities have always been her source of inspiration. Having been greatly impressed when first seeing “Popytka No. 5” (Endeavor No. 5) video by NU VIRGOS to the eponymous song by Konstantin she grew interested in the group’s work and eventually, after watching “Ya ne vernus” (I won’t be back) video, she became the group’s die-hard follower. Was happy to join the ranks of NU VIRGOS in 2006.
In April Olya will leave the group due to an unexpected pregnancy and Via Gra/ Nu Virgos will once more be a duo.
[edit] Discography
Popytka No. 5 (Endeavor No. 5) – 2001
- Zaklinanie
- Popytka No. 5
- Ya ne vernus
- Poznakomsya s moyey mamoy
- Chto zhe ya nadelala?
- Bomba
- Otpustil by ty menya
- Seychas ili nikogda
- Obnimi menya
- Spasibo za leto
- Kazhdiy den
Stop! Snyato! (Stop! That’s a wrap!) – 2003
- Stop! Stop! Stop!
- Good morning, Papa!
- Ubey moyu podrugu
- Ne ostavlyay menya lyubimiy
- Ya ne ponyala (from TV musical “Zolushka” (Cinderella)
- Stop! Stop! Stop! (Disco House mix by YAD)
- Good morning, папа! (Strong mix by RainMan)
- Stop! Stop! Stop! (Latino mix by YAD)
- Ne ostavlyay menya lyubimiy (Etno-easy mix by RainMan)
- Good morning, Papa! (ING mix by RainMan)
- Stop! Stop! Stop! (Crystal pop mix by Master J)
- Ne ostavlyay menya lyubimiy (Space mix by RainMan)
Biologiya (Biology) – 2004
- Biologiya
- Okean I tri reki (feat. Valeriy Meladze)
- Mir o kotorom ya ne znala do tebya
- Ne nado
- V etom ty professor
- Produser
- Biologiya (Club Mix)
- Biologiya (Jungle Mix)
- Ne nado (Latin Mix Mix)
- Ne nado (Dance Mix)
- Vot taki dela (a version of "Ya ne ponyala")
- Stop! Stop! Stop! (Upbeat Version)
- Stop! Stop! Stop! (R&B Version
Stop! Stop! Stop! in english- 2004
- Stop! Stop! Stop!
- Till The Morning Light
- Hold Me Closer
- Good Morning, Daddy!
- Let Me Introduce My Mama
- Kill My Girlfriend
- Don't Ever Leave Me Love
- Where I'm Gonna Find My Love
- Thank You For The Summer
- Every Day
- Stop! Stop! Stop! (Upbeat Version)
- Ai No Wana (Kill My Girlfriend – a bonus track for Japan)
- Hold me closer (remix)
Brillianty (Diamonds). The Best Of – 2005
- Brillianty
- Oy govoryla chysta voda *
- Biologiya
- Stop! Stop! Stop!
- Endeavor No. 5
- Okean I tri reki (feat. Valeriy Meladze)
- Mir o kotorom ya ne znala do tebya
- Prityazhenya bolshe net (feat. Valeriy Meladze)
- Good Morning, Papa!
- Ubey moyu podrugu
- Ne ostavlyay menya lyubimiy
- Ya ne vernus
- Bomba
- Net nichego huzhe
- Poyavis moy syzhenniy
L.M.L. in english-2007
- Lucky my lunacy (LML)
- Tell me lie
- Thunderstorm
- Diamonds
- Take you back
- Humanology
- No joy and no sorrow
- Director
- My Beloved
- I don't want a man
[edit] Videos
ENGLISH LANGUAGE:
- Stop! Stop! Stop! - 2004
- Take you back - 2004
- I don't want a man - 2005
- L.M.L. - 2006
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE:
- Popytka No. 5 (Endeavor No. 5) - 2000
- Obnimi menya (Hold me closer) -2000
- Bomba (Bomb) - 2001
- Ya ne vernus' (I won't be back) - 2002
- Stop! Stop! Stop! (Russian version) - 2002
- Ya ne ponyala (from TV musical "Zolushka" (Cinderella)
- Good morning, Papa! (Good morning, Papa!) - 2002
- Ne ostavlyay menya lyubimiy (Don't ever leave me love) - 2003
- Ubey moyu podrugu (Kill my girlfriend) - 2003
- Vot taki dela (That's what it is) - 2003
- Okean I tri reki (Ocean and three rivers - feat. Valeriy Meladze) - 2003
- Prityazhenya bolshe net (No attraction anymore - feat. Valeriy Meladze) - 2004
- Biologiya (Biology) - 2004
- Oy govoryla chysta voda (O say true water) - 2004
- Mir o kotorom ja ne znala do tebja (Russian version of "Take you back") - 2004
- Net nichego huzhe (Russian version of "I don't want a man") - 2005
- Brillianty (Diamonds) - 2005
- Obmany no ostansya (Tell me lie ) - 2006
- L.M.L. (Russian version) - 2006
- Tsvetok i nozh (Knife and flower ) - 2006
- Dozhd mechty - 2007
