Darka & Slavko () was a popular musical duo of two first-generation

Ukrainian Americans Ukrainian Americans are Americans who are of full or partial Ukrainian ancestry. According to U.S. census estimates, in 2021 there were 1,017,586 Americans of Ukrainian descent representing 0.3% of the American population. The Ukrainian popu ...

based in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, Darka Konopada () and Slavko Halatyn (), who met in the mid-1980's through their involvement with a Ukrainian college group's poetry reading for political prisoners. This launched a ten-year musical collaboration as well as an eight-year marriage. Under the name Darka & Slavko, the duo released four albums and produced various projects for other musicians. Their work focused on creating a sound that combined traditional

Ukrainian music Ukrainian may refer or relate to: * Ukraine, a country in Eastern Europe * Ukrainians, an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine * Demographics of Ukraine * Ukrainian culture, composed of the material and spiritual values of the Ukrainian peopl ...

with contemporary flavors. Their first, self-titled album, included a cover of

Volodymyr Ivasyuk Volodymyr Mykhailovych Ivasiuk (, 4 March 1949 – 24–27 April 1979) was a Ukraine, Ukrainian songwriter, composer and poet. He is the author and composer of the widely popular song "Chervona Ruta (song), Chervona Ruta" popularized by Sofia ...

's "

Chervona Ruta Chervona ruta (''Monarda'') () may refer to a mythological or actual species of flowering plants in the rue genus of the citrus family, Rutaceae, or the rhododendron genus of the heath family, Ericaceae. Biology * Rue () is a name for the plant ...

", arranged to a

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beat. Their second album, ''Khvylyna'', gave way to more sophisticated arrangements, and the duo began to write original songs. In 1995, Darka & Slavko released their final studio album, ''Povir'', which consisted entirely of original compositions. The track "Spivtsi" debuted at Ukraine's first contemporary music festival,

, in 1989, where the duo and their newly formed group won Favorite International Band. Darka & Slavko continued to perform around the world, and in addition to their studio work, they also recorded a live album with jazz renditions of their favorite songs. In 1997, the two split up personally and professionally. Both have continued their music careers. Halatyn recorded an album in 2001, titled ''The Weight of Words'', under the name Slau, and Konopada sings under the name Darka Dusty. In July 2012, Darka & Slavko agreed to perform a reunion concert at the Ukrainian American Youth Association in

Ellenville, New York Ellenville is a village within the town of Wawarsing, Ulster County, New York, United States. Its population was 4,167 at the 2020 census. History The area was originally called "Socconessing" by the first inhabitants, the Esopus Munsee of ...

Discography

* ''Darka & Slavko'' (1987) * ''Khvylyna'' (''Хвилина'') (1987) * ''Povir'' (''Повір'') (1995)''The Ukrainian Weekly'
No 32. 1995
/ref> * ''Unplugged'' (1995) * ''Retro Perspective'' (2012)

References

External links

''Sessions with Slau''
podcast {{Authority control Ukrainian-American culture American people of Ukrainian descent Ukrainian pop music groups Ukrainian musical duos