Mamontovas Andrius
Musician, composer, actor, producer, cultural activist
Early Life and Background
Andrius Mamontovas was born in Vilnius in 1967.
His father, Professor Viktor Mamontov (1942–2005), originally from Arkhangelsk (Russia), worked in Lithuania as a radiologist and X-ray specialist from the 1960s.
Andrius studied at Vilnius Secondary School No. 18, after which he enrolled in both Vilnius Technical University (majoring in construction economics) and Vilnius University (studying journalism).
Musical Career
In the autumn of 1983, while still in high school, Andrius Mamontovas (vocals, drums), Arnoldas Lukošius (keyboards), and Darius Tarasevičius (bass guitar) formed a band called “Sunki muzika” at Vilnius Secondary School No. 18 — marking the beginning of what would become one of Lithuania’s most iconic rock bands: Foje.
On May 17, 1997, Foje performed their final concert in Vilnius’ Vingis Park, drawing a record-breaking 60,000 attendees — still the largest audience for a concert in Lithuanian history.
On September 23, 1998, Mamontovas launched his solo career with a concert at the Spaudos rūmai hall in Vilnius, followed by tours across Lithuania.
Cultural and Charitable Initiatives
In 1996, he founded the “Musicians for Children” charity foundation, which provided nearly 100,000 LTL worth of books and educational materials to Lithuanian orphanages, funded by the special festival “PARAMA.”
In 2007, he organized the first “Street Music Day”, which quickly gained popularity across Lithuania and became an annual national event.
Theatre and Acting
In 1997, Mamontovas played the lead role in Eimuntas Nekrošius’ “Hamlet”, for which he received the Golden Earring Award. The play was performed 170 times in nearly 40 countries across Europe, Asia, North and South America.
In 2002, he composed the music for Nekrošius’ “Ivanov” at Teatro Argentina in Rome, Italy.
In 2008, he starred as a priest in Maris Martinsons’ feature film “Loss” and composed its soundtrack, which earned him the Golden Goblet Award for Best Music at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
In 2010, Mamontovas returned to the screen with a lead role in the internationally produced film “Amaya” (aka “Hong Kong Confidential”), filmed in Hong Kong. He also composed its soundtrack, including the ballads “Heal” and “World Is Full of Love.”
Eurovision and Major Awards
2001 – Participated in Lithuania’s national Eurovision selection; won the public vote but finished second due to jury decisions
2004 – Won “Bravo” awards for Best Album (Beribiam danguje) and Best Song (Kregždutės); has won a total of 12 “Bravo” Awards
2006 – Represented Lithuania at Eurovision with the group LT United, finishing 6th, Lithuania’s best result to date
2009 – Won “Best Male Artist” at the “Apdo 2009” Music Awards. In a symbolic gesture, he threw the award into the river and posted a video titled “Apdo Vanojimas”
2011 – Released a remastered version of the album “Visi langai žiūri į dangų” on SoundCloud
Other Artistic Pursuits
In 2004, performed a surprise electronic grunge version of “Pavasariniai žiedai” with Arnoldas Lukošius and Eimantas Belickas at the Bravo Awards
In 2006, some of Mamontovas’ photographs taken in Korea were published in a book by a friend in Italy
On September 1, 2004, he premiered the musical “Tadas Blinda”, in which he not only played the lead role but also composed the music. A CD of the musical was released the same day
Anniversary Tours
In 2013, Andrius Mamontovas and the original Foje members reunited for a nationwide concert tour marking 30 years since the band’s founding.