FromUz
Encyclopedia
FROM.UZ is an Uzbek progressive rock
band formed in 2004 in Tashkent
by Vitaly Popeloff and Andrew Mara-Novik. Band’s name FROM.UZ was taken
from one of the first songs’ title and means from Uzbekistan
.
FROM.UZ has become one of the most successful progressive rock/fusion bands in Central Asia.
The band's sound is predominantly instrumental. FROM.UZ is well known for the high technical skills of its members.
in progressive rock
style “Sodom & Gomorra XXI” composed by Albert Khalmurzaev for the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan. With this play the quartet performed at International Theatre Festival named by A.P. Chekhov in Moscow
in 2006 and «Meetings in Russia» festival in St. Petersburg in 2008.
The first concert of FROM.UZ took place in April, 2005 in the hall of the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan, and was organized with the intent to test the results of their creative work on the public.
Also in 2005 band successfully performed at The International Blues Music Festival "Astana Blues 2005" and took part in series of ethnic music concerts "Greeting from Nostradamus" by drummer V. Badirov.
In 2006 FROM.UZ became the owner of «Crystal Awards 2006» by Snob Collection as the best music project of the year in Uzbekistan.
In 2006 band attracted the attention of 10T Records. FROM.UZ signed their first record contract with 10T on August 2006 and set out to record debut album based on concert at Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan in 2005.
"Audio Diplomacy" was released in February 2007 as CD/DVD set. It is a live album consisting of 8 instrumental tracks.
In 2008 FROM.UZ released their second album "Overlook" via 10T Records. "Overlook" was recorded at Iosis studio in Tashkent and mixed at Charleston Sound. "Overlook" was the last album in origin lineup.
The 4th band album named Quartus Artifactus is released in May, 2011. It is an acoustic anthology of From.Uz music.
In 2008 after leaving of Andrew Mara-Novik and Vladimir Badirov to another country Ali Izmailov and Surat Kasimov filled the drummers and bassist positions in FROM.UZ. Also Igor Elizov was hired as the second keyboard player. In this membership FROM.uz entered Iosis Studio to work on their fresh material and "Seventh Story" album became the result of this collaboration. Besides the changes in lineup FROM.UZ modified the structure of their compositions. The sound became more energetic and vocals appeared in several compositions.
In support of "Seventh story" album FROM.UZ gave a series of concerts in September 2008 and March 2009 on the stages of Youth theatre of Uzbekistan and Ilkhom Theatre. In September 2010 band released second live DVD recorded and shot during FROM.UZ's live performance at the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan in September 2008.
, Pink Floyd
, Yes
, Jethro Tull
, Miles Davis
, Led Zeppelin
and Jeff Beck
.
Also there were 2 big conceptual shows in FROM.UZ history. They are «Quartus Artifactus» and «FROM.UZ Anthology».
«Quartus Artifactus» gig took place on June, 23 2009 at the Ilkhom Theatre in Tashkent
. The conception of this show was to play compositions using just acoustic instruments.
At the beginning of 2010 FROM.UZ performed «Quartus Artifactus» concert, named so because of planned set list. It consisted of best tracks from all albums.
Throughout their career FROM.UZ performed at several progressive rock and blues festivals. In 2007 band was invited at Baja Prog
festival in Mexico where they played on one stage with such famous progressive rock figures as Jordan Rudess
(Dream Theater
), Universe Zero, Focus
.
In August 2007 FROM.UZ participated in «Summer Nights» festival in Chimkent (Kazakhstan) where band performed compositions from their first album Audio Diplomacy.
In 2009 FROM.UZ participated in 10T: Undercover album where they performed their cover version on King Crimson
- Starless and Bible Black.
Also in summer 2010 FROM.UZ started working on Jeff Beck
«Brush with the blues».
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band formed in 2004 in Tashkent
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and of the Tashkent Province. The officially registered population of the city in 2008 was about 2.2 million. Unofficial sources estimate the actual population may be as much as 4.45 million.-Early Islamic History:...
by Vitaly Popeloff and Andrew Mara-Novik. Band’s name FROM.UZ was taken
from one of the first songs’ title and means from Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
.
FROM.UZ has become one of the most successful progressive rock/fusion bands in Central Asia.
The band's sound is predominantly instrumental. FROM.UZ is well known for the high technical skills of its members.
History
FROM.UZ was formed in Tashkent in 2004 when guitarist Vitaly Popeloff, bassist Andrew Mara-Novik, drummer Vladimir Badirov and keyboard player Albert Khalmurzaev decided to form a band. Their first test of playing together live was a concert danceConcert dance
Concert dance is dance performed for an audience. It is frequently performed in a theatre setting, though this is not a requirement, and it is usually choreographed and performed to set music.By contrast, social dance and participation dance may be performed without an audience and, typically, these...
in progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
style “Sodom & Gomorra XXI” composed by Albert Khalmurzaev for the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan. With this play the quartet performed at International Theatre Festival named by A.P. Chekhov in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
in 2006 and «Meetings in Russia» festival in St. Petersburg in 2008.
The first concert of FROM.UZ took place in April, 2005 in the hall of the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan, and was organized with the intent to test the results of their creative work on the public.
Also in 2005 band successfully performed at The International Blues Music Festival "Astana Blues 2005" and took part in series of ethnic music concerts "Greeting from Nostradamus" by drummer V. Badirov.
In 2006 FROM.UZ became the owner of «Crystal Awards 2006» by Snob Collection as the best music project of the year in Uzbekistan.
In 2006 band attracted the attention of 10T Records. FROM.UZ signed their first record contract with 10T on August 2006 and set out to record debut album based on concert at Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan in 2005.
"Audio Diplomacy" was released in February 2007 as CD/DVD set. It is a live album consisting of 8 instrumental tracks.
In 2008 FROM.UZ released their second album "Overlook" via 10T Records. "Overlook" was recorded at Iosis studio in Tashkent and mixed at Charleston Sound. "Overlook" was the last album in origin lineup.
The 4th band album named Quartus Artifactus is released in May, 2011. It is an acoustic anthology of From.Uz music.
In 2008 after leaving of Andrew Mara-Novik and Vladimir Badirov to another country Ali Izmailov and Surat Kasimov filled the drummers and bassist positions in FROM.UZ. Also Igor Elizov was hired as the second keyboard player. In this membership FROM.uz entered Iosis Studio to work on their fresh material and "Seventh Story" album became the result of this collaboration. Besides the changes in lineup FROM.UZ modified the structure of their compositions. The sound became more energetic and vocals appeared in several compositions.
In support of "Seventh story" album FROM.UZ gave a series of concerts in September 2008 and March 2009 on the stages of Youth theatre of Uzbekistan and Ilkhom Theatre. In September 2010 band released second live DVD recorded and shot during FROM.UZ's live performance at the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan in September 2008.
Influences
The members of FROM.UZ have told in their interviews that their music was inspired by various musicians such as King CrimsonKing Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
and Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
.
Live performances
Concert activity of FROM.UZ includes report-concerts. It can be two or three concerts in the year. Each concert takes 2–3 days, the same stage as a rule. The first FROM.UZ concert was Playing the Imitation – live at the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan. The band was chosen to open the ceremony for Uzbekistan's first rock music awards, the 2009 IOSIS Fest.Also there were 2 big conceptual shows in FROM.UZ history. They are «Quartus Artifactus» and «FROM.UZ Anthology».
«Quartus Artifactus» gig took place on June, 23 2009 at the Ilkhom Theatre in Tashkent
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and of the Tashkent Province. The officially registered population of the city in 2008 was about 2.2 million. Unofficial sources estimate the actual population may be as much as 4.45 million.-Early Islamic History:...
. The conception of this show was to play compositions using just acoustic instruments.
At the beginning of 2010 FROM.UZ performed «Quartus Artifactus» concert, named so because of planned set list. It consisted of best tracks from all albums.
Throughout their career FROM.UZ performed at several progressive rock and blues festivals. In 2007 band was invited at Baja Prog
Baja Prog
Baja Prog is an annual progressive rock festival in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, held since 1997. It draws a number of well-known bands in the genre, and an average of 1500 attendees each day.-External links:* * *...
festival in Mexico where they played on one stage with such famous progressive rock figures as Jordan Rudess
Jordan Rudess
Jordan Rudess is an American keyboardist best known as a member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater and the progressive rock supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment.-Biography:...
(Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
), Universe Zero, Focus
Focus (band)
Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia"...
.
In August 2007 FROM.UZ participated in «Summer Nights» festival in Chimkent (Kazakhstan) where band performed compositions from their first album Audio Diplomacy.
Cover songs
FROM.UZ has covered some other artists' work during their career.In 2009 FROM.UZ participated in 10T: Undercover album where they performed their cover version on King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
- Starless and Bible Black.
Also in summer 2010 FROM.UZ started working on Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
«Brush with the blues».
Band members
There have been four different lineups of FROM.UZ. The original lineup of guitarist Vitaly Popeloff, keyboardist Albert Khalmurzaev, drummer Vladimir Badirov, and bassist Andrew Mara-Novik released two albums. Then in May 2008 Mara-Novik and Badirov were replaced by Surat Kasimov and Ali Izmailov, also Igor Elizov was hired as the second keyboard player. After leaving of Surat Kasimov in July 2009, Albert Khalmurzaev started playing bass. And finally in September 2010 Ali Izmailov left the group. Nowadays there is no constant drummer in FROM.UZ and for every concert band invites different session drummers.Current members
- Vitaly Popeloff – guitars, lead vocals
- Albert Khalmurzaev – bass, backing vocals
- Igor Elizov – keyboards, backing vocals
Former members
- Andrew Mara-Novik – bass (2004–2008)
- Vladimir Badirov –drums (2004–2008)
- Surat Kasimov – bass (2008–2009)
- Ali Izmailov – drums (2008–2010)
- Evegeniy Popelov - keyboards (session in 2007)