Few Lithuanian alternative music acts have as much patience and self-belief as Arbata (it means tea in Lithuanian) does. Formed in 1996 under a different name, it underwent numerous line-up changes and started performing in earnest by 2001. With obvious British rock influences and lyrics that are undeniably poetic, the band performed more than 300 gigs in Lithuanian rock clubs and festivals up to date, but faced difficulties in getting serious support from record labels.
The efforts were not in vain, though – in 2006 Arbata won a popular weekly TV song contest and came to the spotlight. The fact that Arbata was chosen to support a very popular Russian band Mumiy Troll on two occasions didn't spoil the matters, of course. Four well-received albums have been released so far – Linkėjimai tau (Wishes To You), Molekulių džiaugsmui (For The Joy Of Molecules), S.O.S. And Kiekvienas teisus (Everybody Is Right), the latter gaining recognition as the most mature work (both lyrically and musically) that Arbata have ever produced.
Two of the band's members, Zala and Driukas, are also active as a side project, playing gigs that draw crowds of both students and 50-year olds. The band celebrated its 13th anniversary in summer of 2014, proving they are still very much in the game. From tunes that wouldn't sound out of place at a folk rock festival to a duet that they have recorded with Alina Orlova (an undisputed queen of Lithuanian alternative music), Arbata have something for everyone who's interested in music that comes from the right place.
The popularity of Arbata comes not only from its music, but also from the charisma of its members. They are:
Marius (percussion)
Zala (vocal, acoustic guitar)
Andriukha (electric guitar)
Sigis (accordion, keyboard)
Bernardas (bass guitar)
