Mumiy Troll is one of Russia's most popular rock-pop bands. Led by singer Ilya Lagutenko, who formed the first version of the band in 1981, as a garage band project in Vladivostok. As the Soviet Union collapsed, Lagutenko temporarily left music behind to work in the UK and China (he is fluent in both Mandarin and English). Upon their first proper release, Morskaya ("Marine") in 1997, the band became hugely popular. To date they have released six studio albums, a film soundtrack, and a number of compilations. The band was named after the "Moomi Troll" book series by Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson. More information in Russian and English is available on the band's website: http://www.mumiytroll.com.