Aryun-Goa

Aryun-Goa (Russian: Арюн-Гоа), born Aryuna Nimaeva (Russian: Арюна Нимаева), is a Buryat singer, musician and composer from Russia. She is known for blending traditional Buryat and Mongolian music with contemporary styles like hard rock. Aryun-Goa is the lead vocalist of the ethno-rock band NukeR.

Early life and career

Aryun-Goa was born in the Zaigraevsky District of Buryatia, Russia. She began her musical career around 2010. Her interest in ethnic music was sparked when she first heard the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle) being played at one of her sister's performances at a cultural institute. Aryun-Goa then learned to play the instrument herself and started performing, with her first appearance being at an "Uligershin" event. She initially started a solo electronic music project blending ethnic sounds with modern production. Later, Aryun-Goa learned Mongolian throat singing (khöömei), despite facing skepticism about women performing this traditionally male art form.

Band formation

In 2022, Aryun-Goa joined the newly formed band NukeR. The group came together by chance when several musicians in the Zaigraevsky District were asked to perform as an ensemble for a local competition. The original lineup included Saryuna, Andrey, Slava, and Sasha. Aryun-Goa joined soon after, and the chemistry between the members led them to continue performing together.

Musical style

NukeR's primary musical style is described as ethno-hard rock. The band's name "NukeR" has dual meanings - in Russian it means "warlord" or "commander", while in Buryat "nukher" means "friend". This duality is reflected in their music, which combines aggressive rock sounds with traditional Buryat and Mongolian instruments and vocal techniques. Aryun-Goa is known for her versatile vocal abilities, including throat singing. She often incorporates the morin khuur into performances. Her stage name "Aryun-Goa" means "Beautiful" or "Exquisite" in Buryat, a name historically given to princesses and noble women.

Notable performances

As of 2024, both Aryun-Goa's solo project and NukeR have gained popularity in Buryatia and beyond. They have performed at major festivals like "Mir Sibiri" (World of Siberia) and urban events across Russia. In July 2024, the group was scheduled to perform at the "Tavrida Art" festival in Crimea, with Aryun-Goa also giving a 45-minute solo performance as part of a DJ set.

Discography

In August 2024, Aryun-Goa released a new song called "Shonyn magtaal" (Wolf's Praise), with lyrics by Nina Dimitrova. The song is dedicated to the wolf, an important totemic animal in Buryat mythology.

Cultural impact

Aryun-Goa's music often incorporates elements of Buryat and Mongolian folklore and mythology. Her work has been praised for preserving and modernizing traditional cultural elements, making them accessible to contemporary audiences. By mastering throat singing as a woman, she has also challenged gender norms within traditional Buryat music.

External links

• Aryun-Goa's official YouTube channel