Umka & Bro 
Recorded at San Francisco's Closer Studios in May 2009, this limited edition LP by the veteran, post-Soviet underground band Umka & Bro features striking new versions of 10 songs spanning two decades. Umka (Russian slang for "clever girl") started writing songs in the 80's. After making some early recordings she took a break to finish her Ph.D. in early Soviet avant-garde poetry. Umka"s cassettes spread widely, and upon returning to music, she found herself an instant and slightly bewildered celebrity. Her list of influences grew to include Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan and others. After releasing nearly 20 CDs (not counting the DIY ones) with her band Bronevichok (Little Armored Car), Umka realized her long-time dream of releasing a vinyl LP after a chance encounter with Porto Franco Records.

Read "The True Story Of My Life Written By Myself In Bad English" by Umka.
The Band: 
Umka - voice
Boris Kanunnikov - guitars, voice
Misha Trofimenko - bass, voice
Boris Markov - drums, percussion, voice
Shows 
This week from PFR blog: August Newslett...
This month: albums from Brass Menazeri and Mercury Falls, booking agency open for business, fresh produce and locally grown m...
Northwest Tour Vol. 1 - Live updates....
Follow the adventures of Porto Franco's Brass Menazeri, Mark Growden and Seth Augustus as they drive, eat and play music in t...
 (Mercury Falls) (Eastern Accents in the Far West)
Mercury Falls and Dave Mihaly Trio CD release
 09/16 —  Make-Out Room
 10pm-1am | $9-$50 advance, $12 at the door - buy now
 (Meklit Hadero) (On a Day Like This...)
Meklit Hadero on Tell Me More - NPR with Allison Keyes ~Download
 Live: 03/24/2010 (17.53)
 (The Nice Guy Trio) (Here Comes... The Nice Guy Trio)
KPFA 94.1 "Hear & Now" with The Nice Guy Trio ~Download
 Live: 10/29/2009 (2:00:00)
Follow Umka & Bro
MySpace