10 modern Russian musicians who use folk motifs
The shimmering tones of the accordion, the haunting chime of the ‘gusli’ and the soothing melodies of ancient fairy tales: Many Russian musicians are increasingly turning to their roots, creating new – modern – folk songs.
1. Nadezhda Kadysheva
One of the most prominent folk singers of the late 20th century has regained her popularity thanks to social media. Young people have discovered her songs in the Russian folk style and are buying up tickets to all her concerts, attending them in ‘kokoshnik’ headdresses!
2. ‘Otava Yo’
This cheerful folk band from St. Petersburg has been delighting fans with their songs for 20 years. They play the ‘gusli’, the violin and the guitar, mixing a wide variety of folk motifs into their music. They perform both original songs and Russian folk songs in their own original arrangement.
3. Pelageya
Pelageya has been on stage since childhood: She’s won prestigious music competitions in Russia and has since become one of the most recognizable artists in modern folk music. She performs folk songs, famous romances, as well as her own original music.
4. ‘POLE’ (‘FIELD’)
This is a vocal folk group from St. Petersburg. They perform rare folk songs from different corners of Russia in a modern arrangement. And they make very unusual (and fun) music videos for them.
5. ‘Srub’ (‘Log house’)
If you're tired of energetic songs, here is some dark folk at its best from Novosibirsk. Forest swamps, fogs over the river, a dark road – this is the kind of atmosphere the band's music gives out. "Their compositions are a brew steeped in fly agarics, moss and ferns and the sounds are like fog over a swamp, enveloping and captivating the listener," write Russian media about the band’s work.
6.‘Dara Yara’
This artist makes dance ethno-fusion using ethnic musical instruments and Old Slavic texts. And the result is very unusual and meditative!
7. ‘Kalinov Most’ (‘Kalinov Bridge’)
Considered to be the pioneers of Slavic folk-rock, the band ‘Kalinov Most’ has been performing on the Russian scene since the mid-1980s. Their often mystical songs are permeated with themes of love and devotion.
8.‘Khvoya’ (‘Needles’)
This band creates a symbiosis of folk and original songwriting, framed by a powerful female vocal. ‘Khvoya’ performs dance electronic music based on ancient folk songs. It's impossible to sit still!
9. Neuromonakh Feofan
Russian folk "drum and bass"! The group consists of vocalist Neuromonakh Feofan, DJ Nikodim and, of course, a bear (not a real one)! The members hide their real names.
At their concerts, you can always see people in Russian folk costumes dancing in circles or dancing in the traditional Russian spirit.
10. Tatyana Kurtukova
This artist performs original songs in a folky style, but without exaggeration. International fame came to her with her song ‘Matushka Zemlya’ (‘Mother Earth’). It resonates so deeply with people from all over the world!
Conceptual questions of the creative industry and creativity, including the use of folk folklore in modern music, will be discussed in detail at the World Youth Festival 2025, which takes place in Nizhny Novgorod from September 17 to 21, 2025.
