About "Ludwig"
My real name is Stepan Pasicznyk. Pasicznyk means
something like Beekeeper in Ukrainian.
In Ukrainian circles I am better known by my nick name,
"Ludwig" hence,
the name of this site. I am of Ukrainian/Irish descent.
About my time performing and co-writing with "The
Ukrainians".
I was the piano accordionist &
co/songwriter with the indie/pop band "The Ukrainians", founded by
ex-Wedding Present guitarist Pete Solowka for the Vorony, Kultura
and Smiths releases.
Roman Remeynes, original mandolinist
co/songwriter and I, grew up participating in our respective
Ukrainian communities which gave us both a good grounding in
traditional music. "The Ukrainians" achieved considerable
international success performing at venues ranging from Ukraine's
second anniversary of Independence in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, through
to the Bumbershoot and Glastonbury festivals in the USA and England,
& numerous European festivals & venues. It also recorded a
sound track to a Nike sports wear advert.
I was accordionist with
this band for touring the "Ukrainians" debut CD, and accordionist
and co-songwriter during "Vorony", and "Kultura" LP's, & the
Smiths covers EP & The Nike Ad. Radio appearances have included
Peel and Kershaw sessions and other British, Canadian, US, and
European Radio and TV.
How "The Ukrainians" crafted their songs.
Whilst I was with them, The Ukrainians' unique sound was the
synergical product of all its band members unique contributions and
musical influences. The songs that you hear on your CDs or at gigs
were normally the ideas of one or two of us, refined or sometimes
even roughed up, and then crafted by the whole team. Pete, Len and
Roman were the song writing team before I joined but when I joined I
did make a significant contribution too. You can see some of my
paticular contributions here
I
enjoyed being in the Ukrainians "Mark 1" line up, sometimes
affectionately referred to as "The A team" which, I stress, relates
to personnel chronology, and not musical ability or quality!
.
A little correction
Re The Kolos
great Ukrainian music of Britain compilation release a few years
ago. It quotes The Ukrainians "Lebedi Materynstva" track 4 as "part
recorded in 1993, completed in the above sessions" (July &
August 1997). In fact a 1993 recording was in its own right a
complete live recording for BBC Radio 5 Manchester, not just
arranged by Solowka/Liggins as stated on the release, but arranged
and performed by Len Liggins, Pete Solowka, myself, and long time
friend Andriy Maslyaniy (who sometimes stood in on Mandolin and now
plays with me in "The Ukes").
The version on Kolos sounds like
it might be an addition to this previously completed recording. When
I ran the two together on my studio, one from the Kolos tape and one
from an old cassette of the BBC live session, they were in key and
in sinc.
My Musical CV.
1970's
Member of quartet
Vyrkhovyna, Luton Based Ukrainian folk group.
1980's
Accordionist with Reading based "Metelyk" Ukrainian
dance ensemble, veterans of European international folk festivals.
1990's
Waltham Cross based "Zhnyva" Ukrainian dance &
function band.
Original line up accordionist and co-writer with
one time John Peel favourites, Wedding Present spin off, The
Ukrainains.
2000's
Music for BBC TV Football programme hosted by Mark
Wright "Row Z".
Music for London theatre, Frederic Molnars
"Husbands and Lovers", London City Lit.
Bass singer in Ukrainian
male voice choir “Bulava”directed by international opera star Pawlo
Hunka Bulava for their first tour "Vyrkhovyna".
and currently,
since July 2007 playing accordion for Welsh Folk Rockers Here be
Dragons.
See News page for US Gig & TV debut.
Session work on:
The Bishop of Buffalo, Rev Hammer, produced by Justin Sullivan,
New Model army.
The Bridewell Taxis's release "Cage" produced by
Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera.
Accordion on NY Ukrainian duets
"Darka and Slavko" last release.
Accordion on latest release by
Swill "Elvis Lives Here" formerly of The Men They Couldnt
Hang.
English translations of Orange Revolution hit, Ya Patriot,
and "Children of Orange" by Ukrainian artist Lessia
Horova.
English mixes of "Razom Nas Bahato" Ukraines Revolution
anthem and Eurovision Entry by Greenjolly.
Cd's since "The Ukrainians"
Ludwig's Eclectic Collection:
15 tracks varying in lyrical content from serious to light
hearted, and in musical styles from Ska, Latino/Jazz, & dance
through to Rock, Reggae, Swing & Township rhythm. The first
three tracks are re-interpretations of traditional Ukrainian folk
songs, two of which are sung in Ukrainian, and the rest are original
compositions sung in English, some of which are about Ukrainian
themes, such as "Song for Yuriy Shukhevich" and "Refugee Nation".
The CD is exactly what it says it is, very eclectic. There is even a
Bavarian style beer drinking song on it!
"Rokovyny" (Anniversaries)
Debut Cd of new musical collective produced by US Hollywood and
Canadian Music Industry award winner Roman Klun. 10 Ukrainian tracks
given a different treatment, ranging from dynamic to melancholy.
Orange Revolution
A collection of songs relating to Ukraine’s struggle for
independence and events as they unfolded at the time of the Orange
Revolution, including English mix of Razom Nas Bahato, Greenjolly’s
Revolution rap anthem and Eurovision song contest entry, kind
permission, Universal Records. I was asked to do an English
translation by an artist/friend of Greenjolly’s who I have also
translated songs from Ukrainian into English for, Lessia Khorova who
is on Atlantic records.
A short life biog.
My Ukrainian Dad bought me an accordion when I was nine years old
and got me involved with the music scene in the British Ukrainian
community, and my musical tuition was helped along by my Irish Mum,
an accomplished fiddle player. In typical Irish tradition, our
family band comprised of my Mother on fiddle, sister Mariyka on
guitar, and myself on accordion playing Irish and Ukrainian music.
My sister Mariyka and I also used to played in a folk group
representing Luton's Ukrainian community called Verkhovyna, once a
favourite at Luton's bank holiday festivities. My Mother comes from
a musical family. Her cousin was the late Eddie Rabbit, the
Irish/American Country & Western singer who wrote "Every which
way but loose" for the Clint Eastwood film featuring an Orangutan
ape, and also "Kentucky Rain" made famous by Elvis Presley.
Other stuff
Happily married family man who works as a fitness
instructor/personal trainer when not doing music: www.fitness-programmes.com
Click here for web names for sale.
