Anybody Like T-a-T-u?

[fantaisie.sign]

I know a topic similar to this was posted at AHS, but I can't find it anywhere. . .



Thanks to bulmasman, mainstream radio, and mp3s, I am now a big fan of the Russian girl duo t.A.T.u. (spelled "taty" in Russian, but pronounced "tattoo"). t.A.T.u. is a duo with Julia Volkova and Lena Katina formed in 2001 who had instant fame in their Russian homeland. Their first album "200 Po Vstrecnoj" was a huge hit and their fame spread. In December of last year, their English album "200 Km/H in the Wrong Lane" was released and their popularity spread throughout North America, Europe, and Australia, making them an international sensation.

Not only are the girls known for the music, but because of their controversial marketing image. In videos, promotional pictures, and even in their lyrics (not written by them) they're portrayed as lesbians. Yes, people might frown upon this, but it's done in a very tasteful manner. It's genuine love and not flaunted to the point where it's complete sexual trash (such as Christina Aguilera's "Dirty" video). Even in their songs, they describe how they are not accepted not even by their family and friends, yet want to be free just like the rest of society is.
Are we in love? Do we deserve
To bear the shame of this whole world?
And like the night we camouflage denial -- from "Stars"



Many question, are they really lesbians, or is it purely a marketing strategy? The girls have never admitted to it, yet marketing suggests otherwise. Whichever it is, they demonstrate how everyone should be accepted for who they are no matter what the cause may be. And their message is being sent throughout the world through their brillant music.

I've honestly never heard anything like their music before. It's a combination of trance/techno/pop/rock/eurobeat all in one. Imagine listening to HAL, Hybrid, and a rock band all at the same time. Plus, both of them have very beautiful voices that seem angelic, especially in "All the Things She Said." What surprised me when I listened to both the English and Russian versions of songs was that they speak perfect English with (very cute) accents. Unlike most J-pop artists that put English into songs and can't pronounce them, Julia and Lena speak the words flawlessly as if it was their native language.

I urge each of you to give their songs a listen. If not all, definately listen to either "Not Gonna Get Us," "All the Things She Said," or "How Soon is Now." Or if you want to hear the Russian versions which are even better than the English ones, they're "Nas ne Dagoniat" ("Not Gonna Get Us") and "Ya Soshla S Uma" ("All the Things She Said" literally meaning "I've Lost My Mind"). I know you'll enjoy them. All the songs on their English album are:

Not Gonna Get Us -- definately download
All the Things She Said -- definately download
Show Me Love
30 Minutes
How Soon is Now
Clowns
Malchik Gay
Stars
Ya Soshla S Uma (Original Russian Version of "All the Things She Said")
Nas ne Dagoniat (Original Russian Version of "Not Gonna Get Us")
Show Me Love (Extended Version)
All the Things She Said (Music Video)

t.A.T.u.'s success goes to show that with effort and good material, international artists do have chances of succeeding in the West. Sure, t.A.T.u.'s marketing image might have aided greatly to theirs, but their music is what really stands out. It's unlike music that's popular in today's twisted pop society, but that difference is slowly making its influence in the West.

(pictures from taty.co.uk)

[Sakura_Drops]

Thanks for the info.

[ImpactBreaker]

Well I think they're really lesbians....I don't think they would kid with something like that just to get attention to them. If we can't call their attitudes as being "lesbian"then we will have to say just like they do : that they "(we) are just 2 girls who love each other" mwuhahahhahahahahahahhahaha

[meichan]

Just wanted to post something I found aobut them.

Of course, selling sex is nothing new. But there's some question whether T.A.T.U. actually ascribe to the sapphic lifestyle they project: While management has eagerly released titillating details to the press — such as how the girls insist on a double bed in their hotel rooms — none of the group's representatives will affirm that Volkova and Katina are the genuine article. And while the girls might love to kiss, they're not about to tell.

"Every song is about our life," concluded Katina. "Everybody thinks we are lesbians. But we just love each other."

So. I wonder if they are, or aren't.. Not that it really matters.

And they've been getting air time here in Canada too.

[Grantith]

All the things she said is pretty cool. But I think they're fake. People say that they have boyfriends, and I wouldn't be surprised. They just seem like big fakers and they know if they stir controversy by humping each other and slobbering all over each other then they'll sell more records. If they really were in love with each other, why wouldn't they admit it? Why would they deny their love? They're not afraid of being labelled as lesbians since they practically screw each other on stage to get attention, so why not express their love for each other? lol I think they're fakers.

I downloaded the Russian version of All the Things She Said, and it's very harsh. The Russian language is just very ummm, odd sounding in my opinion. It's just very different, and it sounds really odd to me. I didn't like it very much, but I like the English version.The Russian version of All the Things She Said is called "Ya soshla s uma" but I had lots of trouble finding it online. It's not very common so it might be a little tricky to find. The song has some really cool remixs too like All The Things She Said (DJ Blizzard Remix). If you haven't heard anything from Tatu, you should defintely try a song or two.

And their master plan of looking like lesbians (whether it's fake or not) is definitely working. 'Cause if they didn't appear to be lesbians, then we wouldn't be talking about them as much. I think all of this controversy is helping them become known in the USA, and it's working.

[ImpactBreaker]

hmmm even if they did fake they still deep kiss each other. As they don't admit it directly, there's the possibility that they are faking the fact that they aren't lesbians as well. They might say it in a dubious way so that people who don't like lesbians will keep wondering "no it's probably all fake so there's no problem" too. Having boyfriends is not a mark for a girl being hetero nowadays - They might be bi. :p

[ImpactBreaker]

Here's the cover of the "All the things she said" single:
(the image has a heavy scene so to people who don't like to see this just don't look LOL)

Grant - have you listened to "Nas Ne Dogonjat"? the russian doesn't sound weird in that song in my opinion

[meichan]

ooh. I like that image!

[fantaisie.sign]

Originally posted by Grantith
I downloaded the Russian version of All the Things She Said, and it's very harsh. The Russian language is just very ummm, odd sounding in my opinion. It's just very different, and it sounds really odd to me. I didn't like it very much, but I like the English version.The Russian version of All the Things She Said is called "Ya soshla s uma" but I had lots of trouble finding it online. It's not very common so it might be a little tricky to find. The song has some really cool remixs too like All The Things She Said (DJ Blizzard Remix). If you haven't heard anything from Tatu, you should defintely try a song or two.

In my opinion, the Russian version of Not Gonna Get Us sounds a lot better than the English one, but the English one is still great. The English songs and Russian ones were produced by different people, causing the English ones to sound a bit overproduced. I easily found the Russian version of ATTSS on WinMX last night and Nas Ne Dagoniat ("Not Gonna Get Us") is a very easy find. If you look on WinMX, the Russian one will be labeled as "They're not gonna get us" while the English one will say the same except with "English version" added at the end. I'm not too sure about Kazaa, but the Russian versions are very easy to find on WinMX.

About the kissing -- there are many pictures from performances where they've kissed. They're probably staged since they do it during most of their performances. Also, in magazine pictures they're always seen with their arms around each other in some way, but I still think it's a big marketing ploy. As Grant mentioned, it definately won attention from people around the world but they still fail to admit to it. When asked about their sexuality, they always give a "maybe yes, maybe no"-type answer without giving a straight answer of "yes" or "no." Even the curiosity of them being such a couple makes them even more famous. Oh well, their music still makes up for even more fame.

[Grantith]

I've heard previews of "They're not going to get us" and it bugs me so much. I don't like it at all so I haven't bothered to download the full version. I think the Russian version would bug me even more, haha. I dunno, maybe if I get some free time I'll try it.

[Belinda]

you know i was watching trl and i think they were number 10 but neways the host guy...forget his name...said that they ACTUALLY have boyfriends both do, so..i guess they are just trying to open ppl's minds send some sort of msg maybe..(doesnt mean their are not bi of course =_=;

I think it's pretty crappy to play up to a certain demogogue (in this case, gays), and then say that you're not. It's like if I went around making out with other guys and said I wasn't gay. Same concept. I think they're just trying to sell albums using shock value.

Do you think it's possible they are bisexual? They could love each other and have boyfriends. I mean, it is possible to like both sexes. I'm not sure how all this controversy will fair in America, though. I suppose they could be faking it to get publicity. It would make sense, since there haven't been a whole lot of homosexual groups out there. And by not actually confirming that they are homosexual, they can't really be pinpointed as homosexual. It's really a very interesting situation.

[meichan]

I'd like to think they aren't faking it..
Even if they aren't gay, or bisexual.. They still can love each other. No matter what, they obviously have a relationship where they trust and feel comfortable doing anything with each other. That's all that really matters, ne? If only we could all have relationships like that.

[isaac hiew]

I think that their song are just "implementing" that what if, both of them are lesbian, and one of them express her feelings through the song?

Lesbian or not, I don't care. it's just as simple as that cos' I've been doing this to Ayumi too. So since I believe that Ayumi is... totally OK so why not T.a.T.u?

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally posted by isaac hiew
Lesbian or not, I don't care. it's just as simple as that cos' I've been doing this to Ayumi too. So since I believe that Ayumi is... totally OK so why not T.a.T.u?

What!? Ayu, lesbian? You crazy isaac? What are the evidences? hahahahaha

[Belinda]

ayu lesbian? thats a first =P

[bulmasman]

Huh, Ayumi a lesbian. I'm confused

[Grantith]

lol. Where is Nagase when we need him? hahaha

The more famous you get, the more apt you are to be called gay. Madonna got it. Someone said they were lovers at their school in Redford? I think that's where she lived. I know it was near me, ha ha!

And then Janet Jackson's ex husband wrote a book about how she and her friends would have orgies while they were together.

You gotta take the good with the bad!