Vygintas Kisevičius, known by the stage name of Kurak, is an alternative multi-genre music producer, laptop musician and instrumentalist from Vilnius, Lithuania. Working with guest vocalists as well as various musicians, they make records and tour live.

"I've dabbled in many things and projects in the past. Still do. But this is the one, perhaps, where I finally feel ready to make my statement as a fully-formed artist", Vygintas Kisevičius says. Tempting as it is to scream "yet another hype", Kurak (and before you ask, no, we have no idea what the name means, either) is a truly remarkable music project that sold out its debut gig without releasing a single note of music. That, in itself, speaks volumes about the pedigree of musicians involved. Vygintas is a seasoned player, having honed his craft as a member of Milky Lasers, Magic Mushrooms, Left I Right, Fusedmarc, Empti and some other still active and defunct bands that you'd be well advised to check out. Kurak is primarily him but also some of the best vocal talent Lithuania's alternative, electronic, indie and trip hop scene has to offer. The debut EP Notes, released digitally worldwide in December 2012, boasts a personnel list that reads like "who's who of Lithuanian cool". That includes Eglė Sirvydytė - an ethereal singer who's also featured with her main act mmpsuf of this compilation, Markas Palubenka - quite probably Lithuania's biggest musical discovery of 2012. Domas Strupinskas - Vygintas' old sparring partner and the sound brainiac behing innovative M.I.R. Project and No Dog Barking tracks. Last but not least, Karolis Ramoška is the lead singer of Proper Heat - one of Lithuania's most promising electronic pop acts which released its debut LP on British based Nang Records label in 2012 (frankly, it's brilliant). His deep vocal tone works perfectly with "late night disco" ambience of Dramatic Blues - we'll refrain from using a well-worn cliche of calling it a "standout track from the EP" because we truly believe each of the tracks deservers that compliment. A Lithuanian "creme de la creme" team of brave young musical minds, then. And a work in progress - Vygintas points out that there's still plenty of space for evolving and Kurak's roster will probably include even more singers and musicians in the future. Sounds promising, if you ask us.

NOTE LITHUANIA 2013
Text: Ramūnas Zilnys

• Oorchach is a postindustrial/ritual/dark champagne music project from Vilnius, Lithuania, Galactica Baltica. 
• Atavisms and various ego situations in time and space.

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