Biography

Albert Kuvezin, at the fore of Tuva's music scene and founding member of group Huun-Huur-Tu, started Yat-Kha in 1991. Yat-Kha ("yat-ha") is named for the string instrument that it features. Yat-Kha combines "khoomei" (the well-known Tuvan ultra-bass, polytonal throat-singing), high-tech, and homemade instruments in crafting their neo-traditional sound. Following their live debut at 1992's WOMEX in Berlin, Yat-Kha released Antropofagia in 1993, followed by Yenisei Punk in 1995, and Úlai Beldiri in 1999. Critical acclaim for their music has taken Yat-Kha around the globe, from the Austin, TX, SXSW festival to Hong Kong and Europe, where they've received awards such as the Brian Eno Special Prize at the Voices of Asia festival and the Grand Jury Prize from Radio France International's Rock and Pop in the East. Signed to Chieftains' leader Paddy Moloney's Wicklow label (after Moloney heard Yenisei Punk) Yat-Kha is now a foursome consisting of Kuvezin, Aldyn-ool Sevek (on kargiraa, khoomei, and sygyt vocals), Zhenya Tkachv (mystic drummer), and Alexei Saaia (bass shanzi and morinhuur). ~ M.K. Hey, Rovi