View source for Otyken

{{Short description|Russian band}}
{{distinguish|Otuken}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background      = group_or_band
| name            = Otyken
| image           = File:OTYKEN.jpg
| caption         =  Otyken: Ach, Snezhana, Otamay, Maya, Azyan, Tsveta, Kunchari, Hakaida, Muna
| image_size      =
| landscape       = yes
| alias           =
| origin          = [[Krasnoyarsk Krai]], [[Russia]]
| genre           = [[Folk music]], [[Folk-pop]]
| years_active    = 2015–present
| label           = Aboriginal Records
| website         = {{official|https://otyken.ru/}}
| current_members =
* Tsveta
* Azyan (Lilya)
* Maya (Viktoria)
* Sandro
* Ach
* Hakaida
* Otamay (Kristina)
* Muna
* Snezhana
* Kys
* Achanay
| past_members    =
* Alena
* Kristina
* Misha
* Aisylu (Tansylu)
* Aiko (Alina)
* Altyna (Altynai)
* Eugene (Evgeny)
* Taida
* Otomay
* Kunchari
}}
'''Otyken''' ({{lang|ru|Отукен|italic=no}}, {{respell|OH|too|kyen}}) is a Russian [[Indigenous peoples of Siberia|Siberian indigenous]] music group that mixes elements of local [[Traditional folk music|folk music]] with modern [[Pop music|pop]], incorporating traditional instruments, lyrics, and languages. 'Otyken'{{efn|Compare [[Otuken]]}} is a word that is used in [[Chulym language]]  for a sacred place where warriors would lay down their arms and talk.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-23 |title=Meet 'OTYKEN', the Siberian indigenous band taking over the world (PHOTOS, VIDEOS) |url=https://www.rbth.com/arts/335614-otyken-siberian-indigenous-band |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Russia Beyond}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-13 |title=Otyken - Giving Voice to East Siberian Indigenous Culture |url=https://popkult.org/otyken-khakas-chulym-indigenous/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=PopKult Languages and Popular Culture |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Козлов |first=Денис |date=2022-09-20 |title=Музыкант Цвета из деревни, где нет света. Как этническая группа OTYKEN взрывает дискотеки по всему миру |url=https://ngs24.ru/text/culture/2022/09/20/71665178/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=NGS24 - новости Красноярска |language=ru}}</ref> The band was formed in 2015 by Andrey Medonos, and their debut album was released in 2018.<ref name=":0" /> As of May 2024, the group has over 2.5  million followers on [[TikTok]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=otyken |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@otyken |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=TikTok}}</ref> over 245,000 monthly listeners on Spotify,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Otyken |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/63tficClWA0HEI8bnlbA2l |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Spotify |language=en}}</ref> and 820,000 subscribers on YouTube with over 200 million views.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OTYKEN |url=https://www.youtube.com/@OTYKEN |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=YouTube}}</ref> The band members are of Siberian ethnicities and live in tiny villages along the [[Chulym (Ob)|Chulym river]] in the [[taiga]] of [[Krasnoyarsk Krai]].
== Genre and style ==
The group's career began by performing traditional songs representative of their culture; later, modern elements of rock and pop were blended over this folk foundation to create greater appeal for global audiences.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Liptak |first=Carena |date=2022-10-26 |title=Global Spin: Otyken Braid Indigenous Traditions With Modern Sounds In Their Mesmerizing Performance Of "Genesis" |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/otyken-genesis-performance-video-siberian-indigenous-traditions-instruments-global-spin |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Grammy Award's}}</ref> Their homemade costumes also incorporate historic and modern design elements for this same reason.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /> Otyken's music is performed with traditional instruments such as the [[komuz]], [[igil]], [[jaw harp]], [[Rattle (percussion instrument)|rattle]], [[tambourine]], and leather drum, although modern instruments such as the keyboard, bass guitar, and saxophone have been used.<ref name=":2" /> [[Throat singing]] is also frequently used. Many of the group's sounds, both instrumental and vocal, attempt to mimic the sounds of nature and animals, while the lyrics try to capture the practices, beliefs, and spirit of the indigenous people.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Kluger |first=Adam |year=2022 |title=Siberia's Otyken |url=https://issuu.com/25a_magazine/docs/f.m._25a_22_-_web_3/s/15189445 |journal=25A Magazine |issue=Spring}}</ref> The language is mostly in [[Chulym language|Chulym Tatar]], which had only 44 speakers in 2010 and about 25 speakers in 2020; some songs are also sung in [[Khakas language|Khakas]] or Russian.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{cite podcast |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/2eBLJKEoW3NmcC8zq6QzMO?si=deb8f3c7c1b54b85 |title=Ep.2: Otyken from Siberia |website=Spotify |publisher= |host=Suolgga Radio Show |date=2022-10-30 |time= |access-date=2022-12-29}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Aranyi |first=Péter |date=2022-11-15 |title=The Siberian band that won the hearts of millions |url=https://www.melano.hu/the_siberian_band_that_won_the_hearts_of_millions |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Melano}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Formation ===
Otyken was formed by its producer, manager, and songwriter, Andrey Medonos, in order to preserve [[Chulyms|Chulym]] folklore, traditions, and songs which are nearing extinction.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Бортевой мёд из Сибири - этно-магазин Андрея Медоноса |url=https://andreymedonos.ru/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=этно мёд}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=July 2008 |title=Central Siberian Expedition |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.org/archive/projects/enduring-voices/siberian-expedition/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=National Geographic Society}}</ref> Medonos, though not of Siberian ethnicity, grew up at his family's [[apiary]] in the Siberian wilderness among its indigenous people, who maintained a longstanding [[beekeeping]] partnership with the Medonos lineage.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> There he entered into the beekeeping trade, but also engaged in Chulym culture: hunting, fishing, and foraging with the people and marrying an indigenous woman. He founded The Ethnographic Museum of Honey in [[Krasnoyarsk]] city and became its director to preserve the cultures of the Chulym, [[Siberian Tatars|Tatarlar]], [[Ket people|Ket]], [[Khakass]], and [[Selkup people|Selkup]] indigenous peoples, while also hosting lectures and gatherings.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /> The museum attracted visitors ([[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] in particular) who also wanted to hear the traditional instruments and songs played by indigenous people. This inspired Medonos to find locals who would demonstrate their ethnic music at museum concerts.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tFkIMwhMus5noFvCMun9K?si=06ad66a29edf42c5 |title=Echoes Podcast: The Otyken Interview |website=Spotify |publisher= |host=Interview Podcast - Echoes |date=2022-08-18 |time= |access-date=2022-12-29}}</ref> Medonos' wife was among the first performers and later went on to create their costumes.<ref name=":5" />
In 2013, Medonos started a YouTube channel to share Chulym culture. There he showcased an [[apiary]] made with traditional [[Bee gum|log beehives]] and Chulym folklore, dances, and songs that had historically accompanied honey production.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> In 2015, Otyken was formed and was partnered with Medonos in the production of wild Chulym honey. Their honey products (Ethno-Honey) became popular in Japan and the sales helped to establish the band through funding music production, instruments, equipment, and costumes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
=== Activity ===
Otyken released their first album in 2018.<ref name=":0" /> A [[yurt]] was constructed at the apiary in the following year to host rehearsals and meetings, and they began holding concerts regularly at the museum.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
Otyken performed in numerous international events such as [[Universiade]], the Freestyle Wrestling World Championship, and the [[Grammy Awards|Grammy's]] Global Spin.<ref name="Gram">{{cite web |title=Global Spin: Otyken Braid Indigenous Traditions With Modern Sounds In Their Mesmerizing Performance Of "Genesis" |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/otyken-genesis-performance-video-siberian-indigenous-traditions-instruments-global-spin |website=Grammy Awards |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref> Their 2021 album ''Kykakacha'' contained more pop and [[Electronic dance music|EDM]] elements, as well as tracks remade with a new lead singer, Azyan.<ref name=":0" /> Since the album's release, Otyken has begun to gain more traction. They were nominated for a Grammy Award for their song "Legend" in 2022.<ref name=":1" />
The group has faced some setbacks due to [[International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. In 2022, their [[PayPal]] account was blocked and their international sales were limited. Furthermore, Otyken was invited to perform in the [[2022 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022]] opening ceremony, however they were rejected last minute in October after the European Sports Committee banned Russians from participating.
The group made plans to perform in the USA in 2023, including on ''[[America's Got Talent]]'', but they were denied the entry to the United States.<ref name=":8" />
== Members ==
Otyken's members are of [[Chulyms|Chulym]], [[Ket people|Ket]], [[Khakas]], [[Dolgans|Dolgan]], and [[Selkup people|Selkup]] ethnicity. <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite Instagram |user=otyken_official |author=Otyken |postid=CvluyZEANUg |title=We have a multinational band: Chulyms, Kets, Selkups, Khakases, Dolgans. |date=6 August 2023 |access-date=2023-09-22}}</ref> All of the members are local talent from tiny settlements near Pasechnoye village, where medicine and electricity are difficult to access and food is obtained locally through fishing, hunting, foraging, farming, and beekeeping.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> As a result, the group's members maintain busy lives outside of the band, working in their communities and assisting their families – especially in summer, when concerts come to a halt.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /> Although there are around ten main members in the group, fewer people tend to participate in concerts, depending on each person's availability. None of the performers were professionally trained in music (with the exception of Ach), but many indigenous Siberians have musical abilities as it is customary for them to play folk songs and instruments in the home.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" />
=== Active membership ===
{{colbegin}}
* Tsveta – jaw harp, drums, komuz, vocals, rattles (2017–present)
* Azyan (Lilya) – vocals (2018, 2021–present)
* Maya (Viktoria) – drums, assistant producer (2019–present)
* Sandro – rattles, throat singing (2020–present)
* Ach – keyboard, throat singing (2020–present)
* Kunchari – igil (2021–present)
* Hakaida – drums (2022–present)
* Otamay (Kristina) - komuz (2022–present)
* Muna (replacing Aiko) — bass guitar (2023–present)
* Snezhana — rattles (2024–present)
* Kys (replacing Kunchari) — igil (2024–present)
* Achanay (replacing Otamay) — komuz (2024–present)
{{colend}}
===Past members===
{{colbegin}}
* Alyona – vocals, drums (2015–2018)
* Kristina – violin (2015–2019)
* Misha – throat singing, guitar, bass guitar, jaw harp, drums, komuz (2017–2019)
* Aisylu (Tansylu) – bass guitar, drums, jaw harp, vocals, rattle (2017–2021)
* Aiko – bass guitar (2018, 2023)
* Altyna (Altynai) – komuz, vocals, jaw harp (2018–2021)
* Eugene – saxophone, throat singing, jaw harp (2018–2021)
* Taida – vocals (2019–2021)
{{colend}}
== Discography ==
=== Albums ===
* ''Otyken'' (2018)
* ''Lord of Honey'' (2019)
* ''Kykakacha'' (2021)
* ''Phenomenon'' (2023)<ref>{{Cite instagram |user=otyken_official |author=Otyken |postid=CooNj94ICZk |title= The release of the album and music video "Phenomenon" is postponed to February 24 due to a technical failure |date=14 February 2023}}</ref>
* ''Mammoth'' (2024)
=== Singles ===
* ''Fashion Day'' (2020)
* ''Steps'' ( formerly ''Шаги Шойгу'' ''Steps of Shoigu'') (2021)
* ''Genesis'' (2021)
* ''Legend'' (2022)
* ''Storm'' (2022)
* ''Altay''  (2023), with [[Ummet Ozcan]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXsLlOPwe48 Ummet Ozcan X Otyken Altay (Official Music Video)]</ref>
* ''Smoke'' (2023)
* ''Khan Blues'' (2023)
* ''Belief'' (2023)
* ''Chukotka'' (2024)
* ''Belief Remix'' (2024), with [[Xzibit]]<ref>[https://rg.ru/2024/04/19/sibirskaia-gruppa-otyken-zapisala-sovmestnyj-klip-s-amerikanskim-reperom-xzibit.html Сибирская группа Otyken записала совместный клип с американским рэпером Xzibit]. In Russian</ref>
* ''Oneness'' (2024),  teaming with The Ethereal Daydreamer; the video features a teaser from the forthcoming Japanese film ''Senseki'' <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAJRd8BI804 OTYKEN – ONENESS (Official Music Video) & The Ethereal Daydreamer «SENSEKI» OST]</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://otyken.ru/?lang=en Official Otyken website]
* [https://andreymedonos.ru/ Andrey Medonos website]
[[Category:2015 establishments in Russia]]
[[Category:Folk-pop music groups]]
[[Category:Khakassia]]
[[Category:Khakas]]
[[Category:Krasnoyarsk Krai]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2015]]
[[Category:Russian folk music groups]]
[[Category:Russian pop music groups]]