Russian neofolk collective THEODOR BASTARD were selected as a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest 2021 (Session I) for the song “Volchuk,” which is taken from ‘Volch‘ya Yagoda,’ which was originally released in 2019 and is currently being reissued by Season of Mist. In the same category, enigmatic Icelandic rock outfit of ÁRSTÍÐIR were the grand prize winner for the song ‘Heiðin,’ taken from their self-titled record that was released in 2009. More information on the contest can be found HERE.
THEODOR BASTARD comments, “Friends, thank you! It was unexpected and pleasant news to find out that our group from distant Russia, from the Karelian forests, won this wonderful competition named after John Lennon. It’s really something- something incredible. We have always known that music unites. Our song is an interpretation of the ancient Slavic folk lullaby ‘about a gray wolf,’ which was sung mothers to children in distant villages a thousand years ago. And the fact that this song, in our interpretation and with our music, reached the hearts of people on the other side of the world, says only one thing: music unites all of us. We are all one. We are the people of the earth. And love will save the world! Thank you, friends, we hug you!”
Adds ÁRSTÍÐIR,”We are absolutely thrilled and honored to be receiving this prestigious award in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Tonight we’re going to celebrate knowing that our childhood heroes Flea and Lita Ford have listened to our music and liked it!”
Moreover, THEODOR BASTARD recently released a breathtaking acoustic performance for the song “Budem Zhit,” in which Yana Veva and Ekaterina Dolmatova sing along with the the accompaniment of the gusli. The video can be seen at THIS LOCATION.
THEODOR BASTARD‘s full catalog can be streamed HERE while the album ‘Volch’ya Yagoda’ is available HERE.
ÁRSTÍÐIR can be streamed HERE.
For more on ÁRSTÍÐIR, visit their official WEBSITE and FACEBOOK.
For more on THEODOR BASTARD, visit the band’s official WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE, and BANDCAMP.
