in April 2011 half of MuHa went to Ukraine on a mini tour. Our Ukrainian friends Nikita Schyr and Volodymir Vojchishin from Vinnitsa ( town where I grew up) invited us for a collaboration project to play at Pysanka- International World Music festival.

I was very happy to travel to my native town with the gig for the first time. As our audience is the west, I was eager to find out how our music is be perceived by the people I draw my inspiration from. The other idea was to recreate MuHa songs with Ukrainian based musicians. From the UK band we had Richard Kensington on percussion and myself on lead guitar/vocals; from Ukraine we had Constantin Bushinsky on solo guitar and Natasha Kasyanchyk
on dombra- the house of Sun instrument.


The schedule was very tight. In 4 days we had to rehearse all the material, cover 700 kilometres ( about 500 miles) in a dusty falling apart van and play two gigs. What I can not stop admiring about Ukraine is that there is not much planning ahead or planning altogether going on. Nevertheless, things seem to fall in place and happen on their own at the last minute.

It was an unusual experience to sing the audience that does actually understands the lyrics. As a writer I have to say the truth in my songs, otherwise they will not be true songs. But to write and perform yourself inside out to the audience, opening up the vulnerable sides- its a sort of a bravery. It has been always easy for me in England and I try express the emotions and the energy with my performance, the details are left unknown, therefore I safe :) The Ukrainian audience did understand the lyrics, and you know what- I loved it. The songs appeared to have another dimension to them.

Playing with Constantin and Natasha was such a privilege. I feel very lucky to know such good musicians, but most importantly such amazing people!

2011 MuHa UA project was born.