Barbara Zielinska-Van

The band known as Van & Borner came to existance in 1995 as a duo composiong and performing electronic music. The two founding members were Barbara Zielinska-Van and Sabina Borner. Both artists became interested in electronic music during their studies at the Karol Szymanowski Academy Of Music in Katowice. Their compositions received a warm welcome and were often aired on local radio stations and on Polish Radio 3, during the show hosted by Jerzy Kordowicz.

The duo also gave numerous live performances. The venues included: the Ten Ta To Gallery in Katowice, the Spodek hall in Katowice (during the Wagary festival), the Music and Show festival in Warsaw, El-Izerie, the Korez Theatre, the Szuster Palace in Warsaw, etc. Van & Borner also prepared the electronic versions of Polish Christmas carols.

In 2003 the ladies released their debut album entitled "Miracles". The album featured guest performances by Marek Gorlitz (guitar),Darek Budkiewicz (bass guitar) and Jolanta Literska (vocals).

The album had its premiere during the Electronic Music Fairs in Langenfeld, Germany. The new, mutual production was widely acclaimed, the songs were aired on radio stations worldwide. One of the compositions, "Shadow Dancing" was released on the "Sequences" magazine compilation CD. The clip filmed for the song "Walking In Clouds" was presented on Polish TV 1, during "Teleexpress".

In August, the band performed the last show in the original line-up during the ZEF Festival in Pisz. Barbara and Sabina parted ways and the band's name was shortened to VAN. The music itself changed as well, now incorporatong elements of progressive rock.

In March 2004 Van went on tour with the Russian band Romislokus.

In March 2005 the band was invited to perform during the ninth edition of the "Baja Prog" festival in Mexicali, Mexico, alongside Carl Palmer, Caravan, Taal, Ashtar, Tryo, Tripod, Ozric Tentacles and many other performers from all around the globe. The only Polish bands who had performed there before were Quidam and Ankh.

After returning to Poland the new Van line-up, including Barbara Zielinska-Van (keyboards), Tylda Ciolkosz (vocals, violins), Pawel Szczubial (guitar) and Adam Harris (bass), began working on the new single, being the foreshadowing of the upcoming LP release entitled "Gate".

On 3rd of June the band has played at Wave Gothic Treffen Festival in Germany near Clan Of Xymox,Lacrimosa,VNV Nation and polish Delight band.

On 15th of July we will take part at Hainaut Rock Festival in France.

In September 2006 the band participated in the competition of "Rock Highway" in Proszowki, we won the 3 place (there was no first ). Van has been asked to play a tour in Spain this year.

On 8th of January the band has been asked to play at first edition of Emergenza Festival in Belgium, we played, won and You can see us again on 7st of April 2007 this time in VK Club Molenbeek in Brussels, 11 pm.

Another attraction, we took part at mtv-rocking competition with Dust in the wind track of the Kansas band,the whole track at our myspace site.

Top 5 of Marka Wiernik (Radio For You) for Big Star festival bands: Manchester, Ploosh, Rockaway, Salumnesia i VAN - thank You.

On 15th of June the band we played at League of Rock edition in Jelenia Gora.

On first of May we played in Knurow at Na Jezykach Countryhouse.

The band at present finish their second studio album titled "Gates", and in the mean time succesfully passed the eliminations to: Jarocin Rock Festival, MayDay, Rock in Skierniewice, The League Of Rock, Stop the Violence in Wejherowo, Karuzela 2007, Elsauria and will end this year playing in Grodkow Festival and supporting our friends who promote their new studio album in Korez Theatre.

On 1st may we took part at Gramy 2008 festival eliminations and the track Bujanka brought us to the final which will be held on 4th July in amphiteatre in Szczecin.You can listen to us at: www.gramy2008.pl wish us good luck!

" We are never alone, You can always find the persons ready to take a journey with You.." (Paulo Coelho)
So...we have started our new vans musical journey with : Karolina "Kara" Mazurska on voclas, dawid Nakonieczny -on bass guitar, Bikram Singh -on flutes (appears on acceptation of Haadia Galely-mantra moods), Marcin "Lisek"Skaba-on violins.You can listen to the results of this journey on our official myspace site :www.myspace.com/vanbarbarazielinska , the first track from the forthcoming in May 2009 studio single titled "Surfaces" is called "The Cliff"

On Friday, May 15th, a meeting with the band Van took place during the 2009 Music Show Fair held in Sosnowiec's Trade Fair Expo Silesia. On the very same day a new studio single of this Silesian band playing progressive rock premiered. The meeting, which was held between 3 and 5 pm on the Band Factory stand, offered a chance to talk to the musicians, as well as to get their new single called Surfaces for free.