Item category

Ploho is a Russian post-punk band that is known for its moody, introspective music and bleak, politically charged lyrics. The band is based in the city of Novosibirsk, in Siberia, but its influence has spread far beyond its local scene, making Ploho one of the most important bands to emerge from Russia in the last decade. Ploho was formed in 2013 by three friends – bassist Slava Lashevsky, guitarist Fedor Balandin, and drummer Sasha Kuzmin – who shared a love of Joy Division, The Smiths, and other post-punk bands from the 1980s. They soon added singer Victor Uzhakov, whose brooding vocals and cryptic lyrics gave the band's sound a dark, foreboding edge. Ploho's early shows in Novosibirsk were well-received, and the band began to develop a following among local fans of alternative music. In 2015, Ploho released its debut album, "Blooming Youth," which was inspired by the post-punk and shoegaze sounds of the 1980s. The album was a critical success, earning praise for its moody, atmospheric music and introspective lyrics. The band's sound was defined by Slava Lashevsky's melodic bass lines, Fedor Balandin's ringing, reverb-drenched guitar, and Sasha Kuzmin's driving, propulsive drumming, which created a wall of sound that was both ethereal and powerful. Over the next few years, Ploho released several more albums, including "For the Future" (2016), "Black and White" (2017), and "Life Is a Disease" (2019). These albums continued to explore the band's fascination with post-punk, but also incorporated elements of other genres, such as goth rock, synth-pop, and even Russian folk music. The band's lyrics became increasingly political, addressing issues like corruption, nationalism, and social inequality in post-Soviet Russia. Ploho's music was both intensely personal and deeply-rooted in the band's social and cultural context, which gave its songs a rare combination of emotional resonance and political relevance. Ploho has become one of the most popular and influential bands in Russia, and has toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia. The band's music has been praised for its emotional depth, sophisticated arrangements, and unique fusion of post-punk and Russian cultural traditions. Ploho is considered one of the main representatives of the so-called "new wave of Russian post-punk", which is characterized by the emergence of many talented bands in the Russian underground scene. In conclusion, Ploho is a unique and innovative band that has had a profound impact on the Russian music scene. With its haunting melodies, politically charged lyrics, and distinctive blend of post-punk and Russian cultural influences, Ploho has created a sound that is both deeply personal and universal in its appeal. The band's music is an expression of the struggles and aspirations of a generation of young Russians who are confronting the challenges of a rapidly-changing world, and is a testament to the power of music to speak to shared human experiences.