ZULYA AND THE CHILDREN OF THE UNDERGROUND
Multi award-winning ZULYA KAMALOVA is the leading proponent of Tatar and
Russian music in Australia as well as one of the most versatile and accomplished
vocalists on the world music scene today.
Since her move to Australia in 1991 ZULYA has developed a totally original approach as an affirmation of her unique identity – an affirmation that takes her Tatar and Russian background to totally new places and in completely new ways.
The most recent release of ZULYA and her outstanding band The Children of the Underground (Anthony Schulz – accordion, Lucas Michailidis – electric guitar, Andrew Tanner – double bass, Justin Marshall – drums) is entitled "3 nights" and was awarded an ARIA (Australian Music Industry Association) Award for the best world music album in 2007.
"3 nights" re-affirms Zulya’s reputation as one of the most exotic and enthralling performers and songwriters in Australia. With songs sung in three languages – English, Russian, and Zulya’s native tongue, Tatar – 3 Nights showcases Zulya and the band at their most magnificent: exquisite musicianship, superb songwriting and intricate arrangements, to say nothing of Zulya’s sublime voice Zulya has independently produced four albums to date, including the ARIA-nominated elusive (2002) and, together with her band The Children of the Underground, 2004’s magical The Waltz of Emptiness (and Other Songs on Russian Themes) which received high critical acclaim, including 4,5 stars from Rolling Stone (Germany), 4 stars from The Songlines (UK) and secured a position in the top 20 of European World Music charts for several months – a feat no other Australian album ever achieved.
Zulya and her exquisite band The Children of the Underground have been enchanting audiences with their inspiring blend of traditional and original music all through Europe from Serbia to Siberia, Berlin to Moscow, Tatarstan to Helsinki and almost everywhere in between. “What strikes you immediately is not just the confident purity of Zulya’s voice, but the quality of writing and arranging”, Songlines, UK.