Russkaja

Russkaja formed in Vienna in 2005 around Russian-born musician Georgij Makazaria, who brought together Austrian players like Mario Stani, Severin Thies, and Peter Baier. They started mixing Balkan folk sounds with punk and ska rhythms, creating something that didn't fit neatly into existing categories.

Their 2008 album 'Energia' gave them their first real break, with the title track becoming a calling card. Songs like 'Kosmopolit' and 'Barada' from their catalog show how they kept building on that energetic, brass-driven sound that pulls from Eastern European traditions and Western rock.

They've worked with other bands in similar spaces, like Gogol Bordello and Ska-P, and released albums including 'Russian Voodoo' and 'Peace, Love & Russian Roll.' The lineup grew to include violin and accordion alongside the core brass and rhythm section, which gave their recordings and live shows more texture.