Two girls, dozens of hit songs, plenty of controversy and the undeniable title as the biggest Russian band EVER. We can only be talking about the electronica pop group t.A.T.u.
The duo came together in 1999 after their producer Ivan Shapovalov and his associate Alexander Voitinskyi held auditions in Moscow to form a new Russian musical group. Both Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova stood out, but ultimately Lena was the one chosen. After some demos were made, however, the decision was made to bring 14-year-old Yulia back on board and the name t.A.T.u was chosen. It was written in such a way so as to distinguish it from an Australian band of the same name.
In the year 2000 the girls completed their first single Ya Soshla Uma, which means "I've Lost My Mind"; later it was released in English as All The Things She Said. On May 21, 2001 their first full length album 200 Po Vstrechony was released followed by Nas Ne Dagoniat and 30 Minut as the second and third singles respectively. The English version of the album was released in 2002 under the name 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane. All the Things She Said and Not Gonna Get Us were the two singles released off this album along with 30 Minutes.
A DVD compilation of t.A.T.u's music videos and more entitled Screaming For More was released in November 2003. The documentary Anatomy of t.A.T.u aired on Russian TV the next month and revealed that, despite the image and controversy, Yulia and Lena were not lesbians. Early in 2004 both girls broke ties with their producer Ivan Shapovalov saying that he was more interested in creating scandals then focusing on their music.
In 2004 the girls went back to the studio backed by their label Universal Music International to record their second English and Russian albums. All About Us and Lyudi Invalidy were to be the first singles from each record. Dangerous and Moving was released in October 2004 with the Russian counterpart Lyudi Invalidy following a few days later.
Late 2007 the single Beliy Plaschik was released followed a couple months later by 220 in May 2008. Both were highly favored songs and were supposed to released on a special EP, but the EP was delayed and then canceled due to Yulia becoming seriously ill. The third single You And I was released and then the full length album entitled Vesyolye Ulybki/Happy Smiles was finally released in October 2008 and the songs were also made available on itunes.
A statement released in May 2009 stated that t.A.T.u would no longer be a full time project and both girls were working on solo projects. Although the singles and videos for Snegopady (RU), Snowfalls (EN), White Robe (the English counterpart to Beliy Plaschik), and Sparks (the English counterpart to 220) the band was officially announced as disbanded in 2011.
Both Yulia and Lena are now pursuing solo careers as they have wanted to do for some time. A double remix album was released at the end of March 2011 and is also available on itunes, but there are no definite plans for t.A.T.u to reform any time soon if at all.
It has been 12 years of music and still fans old and new continue to discover the amazing Russian group known as t.A.T.u. They are unquestionably the most popular Russian group there has ever been and they look to be the most popular and best selling band there ever will be.
While t.A.T.u is over Yulia and Lena most certainly are not. Here's to more great songs and more years of great music in the months to come.
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| This is Russian Pop |
The duo came together in 1999 after their producer Ivan Shapovalov and his associate Alexander Voitinskyi held auditions in Moscow to form a new Russian musical group. Both Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova stood out, but ultimately Lena was the one chosen. After some demos were made, however, the decision was made to bring 14-year-old Yulia back on board and the name t.A.T.u was chosen. It was written in such a way so as to distinguish it from an Australian band of the same name.
In the year 2000 the girls completed their first single Ya Soshla Uma, which means "I've Lost My Mind"; later it was released in English as All The Things She Said. On May 21, 2001 their first full length album 200 Po Vstrechony was released followed by Nas Ne Dagoniat and 30 Minut as the second and third singles respectively. The English version of the album was released in 2002 under the name 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane. All the Things She Said and Not Gonna Get Us were the two singles released off this album along with 30 Minutes.
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| Beautiful and Dangerous |
A DVD compilation of t.A.T.u's music videos and more entitled Screaming For More was released in November 2003. The documentary Anatomy of t.A.T.u aired on Russian TV the next month and revealed that, despite the image and controversy, Yulia and Lena were not lesbians. Early in 2004 both girls broke ties with their producer Ivan Shapovalov saying that he was more interested in creating scandals then focusing on their music.
In 2004 the girls went back to the studio backed by their label Universal Music International to record their second English and Russian albums. All About Us and Lyudi Invalidy were to be the first singles from each record. Dangerous and Moving was released in October 2004 with the Russian counterpart Lyudi Invalidy following a few days later.
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| Add some music and few sparks for one amazing combination |
Late 2007 the single Beliy Plaschik was released followed a couple months later by 220 in May 2008. Both were highly favored songs and were supposed to released on a special EP, but the EP was delayed and then canceled due to Yulia becoming seriously ill. The third single You And I was released and then the full length album entitled Vesyolye Ulybki/Happy Smiles was finally released in October 2008 and the songs were also made available on itunes.
A statement released in May 2009 stated that t.A.T.u would no longer be a full time project and both girls were working on solo projects. Although the singles and videos for Snegopady (RU), Snowfalls (EN), White Robe (the English counterpart to Beliy Plaschik), and Sparks (the English counterpart to 220) the band was officially announced as disbanded in 2011.
Both Yulia and Lena are now pursuing solo careers as they have wanted to do for some time. A double remix album was released at the end of March 2011 and is also available on itunes, but there are no definite plans for t.A.T.u to reform any time soon if at all.
It has been 12 years of music and still fans old and new continue to discover the amazing Russian group known as t.A.T.u. They are unquestionably the most popular Russian group there has ever been and they look to be the most popular and best selling band there ever will be.
While t.A.T.u is over Yulia and Lena most certainly are not. Here's to more great songs and more years of great music in the months to come.
