Mano Juodoji Sesuo

Mano Juodoji Sesuo (MJS) My Black Sister In fall of 1991 Barbora (vocals) and Mindaugas (guitar, keyboard) separated from the band Post Meridian and started playing independently. During the same fall they recorded their debut album Byra byra karoliukai (The Beads are Falling) consisting of 13 songs. Because of the unique vocals of Barbora, the duet was compared to such bands as Dead Can Dance, The Cure, and Cocteau Twins.

The first concert of Mano Juodoji Sesuo took place during the festival of "the worst bands" in Vilnius (1992). Right after the festival the band released two singles - "Tiesi rankas i dangu" (You reach for the sky) and "Byra byra karoliukai"; both of them reached the highest positions in top charts of Lithuanian radio stations. Critics prognosticated great success for the band, but the singer Barbora left for the US before the recording of the second album started. This looked very much like the end of the bands career, but Mindaugas decided not to give up and to continue the creative activity. He invited his childhood friend Dainius, and in fall of 1993 they recorded their demo MC "Saules dienos" consisting of five songs. The style of the music changed, compared to the first album it became heavier, guitars become more prominent, and Mindaugass singing was more romantic and not as alternative, compared to Barboras vocals. The band started identifying themselves with The Sisters Of Mercy. At the end of 1993 the beginning of 1994, Mano Juodoji Sesuo was engaged into the creation and recording of their new album. The album was titled "Reinkarnacija" (Reincarnation) and was released at the beginning of 1994 under "Bomba Rec." label. The release of the MC was presented in a big concert in Kaunas Academic Drama Theater and was received significant interest of the state press. The song "Nejaugi tai tu" (Can it be you) was included into a German compilation CD The Torturer vol. 2. In winter of 1995 new members - Henrikas (drums) and Jurga (keyboard) joined the duet. In spring the band released a new EP called EP "Sesuo" (Sister) that included three new songs and four live versions of older songs. 1995 can be considered the year of the greatest activity of the band MJS played in over 50 gigs, including the final concert of the tour "Kai perplauksi up" (When you swim across the river) of the legendary band Foje (Foyer) in Vilnius Vingio Park, and in the festival "Sparnai" (Wings) in Prienai. In 1996 Mano Juodoji Sesuo released the album "Belamy". The songs "Salt Ryta" (On a cold morning) and "Belamy" were included into playlists of Lithuanian radio stations. The drummer Henrikas left the band, and MJS returned to programmed drums. The concert activity of the band decreased, but the creation of new songs continued, and in December 2001 the band released their new album "Synthetique" that was released just before the New Year. Nearly 4-year-long searching period significantly altered the bands previous rock-like sound and instrumentation as well as their musical concept. A significant dose of electronics and progressive dance rhythms united by dark and cold tones emerges in their new music. The only remaining similarities with their previous albums are Mindaugass vocals and the general romantic and wistful mood of the music. The main idea of the album reflected in its title (Fr. synthetique - artificial) is the alienation and artificial character of the surrounding world. In spring, during the festival ''Kunigunda Lunaria'', the band presented the album to a significantly increased audience of Goth music fans. Nearly after a 1.5-year break, MJS reappeared on the stage. The year 2003 began with the long-planned Synthetique tour. Keyboard player Jurga left the band and was replaced by ivil from the cybercore band Xess. In October bass player Dainius left MJS as well. The Mindaugas and ivil duo was complemented by Rosvaldas "Rosva" (known as an ex-vocalist/guitar player of an already non-existent tanzmetal band Liunuosna). The renewed and strengthened trio from Kaunas gave a concert in Riga club Depo, followed by a performance in the yearly festival "Velniu Malnas" (The Devils Mill) in Vilnius in winter of 2003, which received multiple positive responses and evaluations. In 2004 recorded latest album "Dogmatic". In years 2005-2006 concerts in festivals: "Tamsa Snabzda" (Dark Call), MountainRock' vol. 3, DARK EAST MUSIC MEETING (Poland), show with The Cruxshadows in Vilnius, Kunigunda Lunaria 5, Sara Makfin, CASTLE PARTY (Poland).

http://www.myspace.com/sesuo