“In Siberia, if you want something, you have to make a great effort to get it. All I wanted was a Zeta. And now that I have it, I don't know what I'd do without it.”

Bio
Yuri Matveyev – electric guitar
Artjom Yakushenko – electric violin

Irkutsk, Siberia is 150 miles north of Mongolia and home to the most exciting instrumental duo to hit the music scene in quite some time…Two Siberians.

Yes, it’s instrumental (electric violin and electric guitar), but do not be fooled. Think infectious melodies with burning virtuosic displays; think impassioned soundtrack with a propulsive ethnic pulse. Think world pop instrumental. Or consider the opinion of Matty Hernandez of MTV; "These two guys do what it takes Dave Matthews eight guys to do."

The musicianship of Artjom Yakushenko (electric violin) and Yuri Matveyev (electric guitar) is exceptional—and their sound is unique. There is nothing like it. Renowned throughout Russia, the Siberians also possess a strong stage presence as performing is in their blood: Artjom’s father, Yevgeny Yakushenko, is known as the "Father of Siberian Rock;" Yuri’s parents are Russian folk dancers.

When he was just thirteen, Yuri won the Russian National Competition in Folk Dancing. But it was the guitar that held him captive. He enrolled in the Irkutsk Art Academy to study guitar in the mid-80s. It was there that he met
violin virtuoso and future collaborator, Artjom Yakushenko.

The two debuted at a festival in Novosibirsk, Siberia, and won the award for Best Original Artists, but The Irkutsk Academy was appalled. Jazz and rock were not considered appropriate for the violin, and Artjom was suspended from The Academy. To complete his degree, Artjom had to focus strictly on classical studies, and he agreed to do so…until the day he graduated.

From there, Yuri and Artjom hit the Trans-Siberian railway and their legend has been rapidly unfolding. They have garnered tremendous acclaim throughout Russia, and recently caused a sensation when they performed for the former Talking Head David Byrne in Moscow. In New York, a free performance one day in Times Square so impressed an ABC Nightline producer that he had them filmed for a segment of that show. Even President Clinton was introduced to the music of the Siberians during a recent fundraiser.

The Two Siberians, renowned throughout Russia, are still largely unknown in the US. This will change…as reliably as it will turn –40º C in Irkutsk in January. The Two Siberians will not be in the cold much longer.

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