In the beginning Bogdo Ula was a duo, Samuli Kristian (guitar) and Ivan Horder (drums). The spectrum of their art is wide from music and poetry to visual art and film. Both have graduated from film school, Ivan Horder specifying in sound design and Samuli Kristian in cinematography. After spending years in a garage improvising and recording music, they decided to take the next step and self-released their first album "From Distance to You" (2008). Years of studying recording techniques and the inner life of old tube amplifiers helped them to do everything by themselves – recording, mixing, mastering. This DIY approach has stayed to present day and it reflects Bogdo Ula’s “absolutely free” approach for playing.

As a duo Bogdo Ula released three albums before bass player, Jean Ruin, joined the group in summer 2010. This was a big step forward. As a phenomenal bassist and a fan of Frank Zappa, one of the Kristian and Horder's biggest influences, Jean Ruin adopted Bogdo Ula’s “free” approach immediately and gave the group a new direction. As a trio they have self-released four albums. The fourth trio album, The Return of the Sons of Ra (2013), was also released in vinyl LP format.

Bogdo Ula focuses on free improvisation. Every song is a musical travel through time, sculpting in time or out of time. Inspired by John Coltrane, who would give his band only two notes as the basis for a new tune, Bogdo Ula tries to make music from a minimalistic starting point. However, their music is not minimalistic. It is complex and full of meaning and emotion. Frank Zappa's idea of instant compositions on his album "Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar" has also encouraged Bogdo Ula to go this way: To let the music flow, to reach a total freedom of expression and, as a special reward, to communicate with one who wants to listen.

In spite of the fact that Bogdo Ula’s music could not be described as mainstream, the group does not purposefully aim at making “difficult” music. Kristian's rock-style guitar tones together with Horder's drums and Ruin's bass create a unique style, something different from free jazz or psychedelic rock, although reflecting the tradition. The musical idea may grow from a melody line, a scale or a guitar riff to a furious improvisation. Mystical soundscapes, modal scales and angular rhythms are the characteristics of the music of Bogdo Ula.

Bogdo Ula is a mountain near the city of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. For this band, Bogdo Ula is a state of mind, a place that can be reached by the mind. Where does music come from? From inside or from outside? The answer is irrelevant. Music is a place where you can go - where ever you are.

Source: Bogdo Ula homepage, ed. Annamari Innanen 5.6.2014