Kolibri (Колибри; Russian word for Hummingbird) is a Soviet and Russian experimental pop/rock group formed in 1988 in Saint-Petersburg playing an eclecticbrand of baroque pop blended with elements of post-punk, cabaret, chanson and dominated by vocal harmony. In their heyday Kolibri, according to rock historian Andrey Burlaka, combined ironic high posturing with touchingly humane attitude, writing and performing songs that were described variously as exquisite, depressive, extravagant, romantic, naive, sophisticated and decadent. The band released six studio albums which were well received by critics both in Europe and in Russia but never had any commercial success.
Kolibri were formed in 1988, originally as a side project for Natalya Pivovarova (born 17 July 1963 in Novgorod), then a member of Sergey Kuryokhin's Popular Mechanics (Популярная Механика). She invited six other girls, who were associated with the Leningrad Rock Club but hadn't had any stage experience, to join, and suggested they form a kind of musical theater and perform covers in a cabaret/avant-garde/post-rock fashion.
Pivovarova, Kolibri's founding member, left in 1998 to form her own band Sous (The Sauce). She died in a car crash in Crimea, Ukraine, in September 2007.
Links to Peel[]
Peel discovered the group when he obtained a compilation album in 1992 featuring Russian artists, which he played a track from them. He also obtained the band's debut album (originally released in 1991) in 1993 which was sent to him amongst 14 other Russian albums that were sent from Moscow. Out of those albums, one from Kolibri, was interesting for him to play tracks on his programmes. The other 13 albums he did not find riveting, he gave it away in a competition for listeners to win them. No other albums from Kolibri were ever played on his shows after 1993.
Shows Played[]
- 1992
- 04 August 1992 (Ö3): 'Манера Поведения (Behaviour Style) (4X Compilation LP-Однажды В Р/К (3). Черное На Зеленом)' (Russian Disc)
- 06 August 1992 (Radio Mafia): 'Манера Поведения (Behaviour Style) (4X Compilation LP-Однажды В Р/К (3). Черное На Зеленом)' (Russian Disc)
- 22 May 1993: Орландина (Orlandina) (LP – Манера Поведения (Mode Of Conduct)) Feelee
- 29 May 1993: 'О Чём Поёт Тропическая Птица (What Is The Tropical Bird Singing About) [LP - Манера Поведения)' (Feelee)
- 04 June 1993: 'Фудзи Ещё Не Спит (Fuji Isn't Sleeping Yet)' [LP - Манера Поведения)' (Feelee)
- 07 June 1993 (BBC World Service): О Чём Поёт Тропическая Птица (What Is The Tropical Bird Singing About) (LP - Манера Поведения) Feelee
- 14 June 1993 (BBC World Service): Танцуй Со Мной (Dance With Me) (LP - Манера Поведения) Feelee
- Peel Out In The States (Program 12): О Чём Поёт Тропическая Птица (What The Tropical Bird Sings) (LP – Манера Поведения) Feelee