Maria Arkhipova: "I don't have to wait for inspiration"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Maria Arkhipova is perhaps one of the most famous composers working in the genre of folk music. Her project "Arkona" is a large-scale cultural heritage of Russia, which has influenced many folk music groups in the CIS, and Maria herself is an example of diligence, perseverance and determination.

Biography

Maria Arkhipova was born on January 9, 1983 in Moscow, in a family of linguists. From childhood, little Masha had a keen interest in her native language and culture of the ancient Slavs. It was this passion that led her to the Vyatichi Rodnoverie community, after staying in which Maria came up with the idea to create a musical group whose works would be dedicated to the culture and traditions of Ancient Russia.

Possessing the talent of a poet and musician, the girl actively takes up the study of musical theory and practices the art of sound recording. In 2002, the Hyperborea group was born, in which Maria recorded severalrehearsal tapes.

Arkona

In February 2004, the group changes its name to "Arkona". Maria Arkhipova, with the help of familiar musicians, is recording a demo album "Rus", sending cassettes with recordings to several music labels at once. Recordings are widely distributed due to the non-standard approach to music, unique melody and special sound. The Sound Age label became interested in the cassette, and a year later the band's first full-length album, "Revival", was released, which included material written by Maria during her work with the Hyperborea group.

"Vozrozhdeniye" was warmly received by the rock music community, which served as an incentive to record a second album - "Lepta", which was released four months later on the same label.

Inspired by the success, Maria recruits a new line-up and begins active concert activity, which significantly expanded the fan base of her work and provided the team with temporary financial independence.

The group uses the proceeds from the performances to record the third album - "For the Glory of the Great", and a concert collection - "Life for the Glory".

After two years, Maria decides to change the concept of the group, removing all electronic instruments from the sound and replacing them with live counterparts. The composition of the group again undergoes significant changes. Musicians responsible for folk instruments appear in "Arkona". Maria herself is actively learning to playon most of the instruments featured on the band's albums.

The album "From the Heart to the Sun" appears on the shelves of music stores in 2006 and immediately attracts the attention of world labels to the young band. Critics note the sincerity and freshness of the sound of music, original melodic moves and a unique lyrical component.

In 2007, Maria Arkhipova, whose photos appear in several major music publications at once, signs a contract with the Swedish label Napalm Records to release all the existing Arkona albums abroad, as well as to release several subsequent collections.

The album "Goy, Rode, Goy" was released at the end of 2009 and brought the group worldwide fame, receiving rave reviews from critics.

The collective takes a creative break for four years, devoting this time to active concert activity. "Arkona" gave concerts in South America, Northern Europe, and also made a huge tour of Russia and the CIS countries.

The events held increase the already huge interest in the group, and in 2013 the collection "The Word" saw the light, published immediately on four domestic and foreign labels.

The following year, the album "Yav" was released, which included material that was not included on the previous album. And in 2018, Maria completes the trilogy with the album "Temple".

Hobby

In addition to creative activities, Maria is fond of equestrian sports, making musical instruments according toancient instructions, and also learns to play some of them. Maria Arkhipova is "friends" with the guitar, piano, jew's harp, flute, bagpipe, horn, etc.

Private life

The biography of Maria Arkhipova is distinguished by the absence of a huge number of interesting events. She is happily married to the bassist of the Arkona group, Sergei Atrashkevich. The couple lives in a country cottage in the suburbs and has two sons.