Bi-2

Bi-2 is a Russian alternative rock band, formed in Bobruisk in 1988 by Aleksandr Uman and Igor Bortnik. Bi-2 is one of the most successful with many sales and chart-hits in Russia. In the beginning of the 90s the two moved to Israel and as Jews received citizenship, but in 1993 Aleksandr Uman moved to Australia while Igor Bortnik remained and served in the Israel Defense Forces. In 1994 Aleksandr Uman formed a romantic and professional relationship with pianist and artist Victoria Bilogan and in 1997 they recorded their first album "Bespolaya i Grustnaya Lubov". During this time, Igor Bortnik and Aleksandr Uman continued to compose music together, exchanging their records and tabs via Internet and phone. Before forming Chiron, Aleksandr Uman collaborated with Dee Ellus, his first English lyricist, in 1993 and 1994. Aleksandr Uman, together with Dino Molinaro and Michael Aliani, former members of Ikon, formed the darkwave band Chiron. In 1998 Igor Bortnik moved to Australia and joined Chiron as well, but the two left the project in less than two years to continue with their own band. In 1999 Bi-2 moved to Russia, where they previously tried to release their already recorded album "Bespolaya i Grustnaya Lubov" (Genderless and Sad Love, 1998), but their plans were ruined by the Russian financial crisis of 1998, which affected the record business. In 1999, the band consisted only of two men, but the lineup soon was increased by sessional musicians. The band went up to popularity only in 2000, recording the score for popular Brat 2 (2000) movie by Aleksey Balabanov. Several score songs, included in the Bi-2 eponymous debut album, shook rock radio charts, including the influential Nashe Radio chart. Bi-2 continued with "Meow Kiss Me" (2001) and "Inomarki" (2004), both sold gold in Russia. Each of their albums included duet records with other rock musicians from such bands as Splin, ChayF, Nochnye Snaypery, Zemfira, and others. Videos for Bi-2 songs often appear on MTV Russia. In 2005 the double CD "Nechetny Voin" was released, which consists completely of duets and collaborations.