Psoy Korolenko

Who is Psoy Korolenko?

Psoy Galaktionovich Korolenko is a pseudonym of a Russian Orthodox song writer and performer by the name of Pavel Eduardovich Lion. At the same time Pavel Lion is a slavist with a Ph.D. in Russian literature.

His pseudonym comes from Vladimir Korolenko, Russian writer, whose works are subject of Pavel's research.

Psoy performs his own and others’ songs, accompanying himself to keyboard instruments, mainly a Casio synthesizer in accordion timbre. Experimenting with quite various song traditions he sings in about six or seven languages, most frequently in Russian, Yiddish, English and French.

For example, one of Psoy's songs, Buratino, is an a capella rhythmic recitation of the same phrase, - "Buratino byl tupoy" - which after several repetitions starts to morph into other phrases, eventually shifting into Italian through syllable rearrangement. More phrases are then introduced and "mixed" vocally with it. The song is something of a parody of rap and trance music.

Psoy tours extensively beyond Russian borders, particularly in the States and in Europe. His music is popular both with adults and teenagers. He rewrites many songs, and also has translated some songs from Russian to Yiddish. He has collaborated with such musicians as Julian Kytasty, Michael Alpert, and Daniel Kahn.