Ukrainian Field Notes XX

artwork – Mariya Primachenko

On the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine it’s time to take stock. The first episode of Ukrainian Field Notes came out on March 19, 2022, with the first interviews dating back to March 5, 2022. Over the course of a year we have posted 170 interviews and reached out to more than 200 Ukrainian artists. We also produced six podcasts for ResonanceFM.

We knew this was going to be a challenge, but we didn’t expect it to be such a rewarding endeavour with so many inspiring stories. A huge thank you to all those who entrusted us with their stories.

This month we discuss ambient with Mar’yan Kitsenko, electronic music with nightcourier, Surzhyk with Latexfauna, miniature furniture with Kirk Blunder, trekking with Bohdan, Mariupol with unfeeling, self-growth with lettertomypast, re-traumatisation with I.Krueger, Bangkok with Heskbo, Warsaw with Ssscreep, Berlin with le_na_mi, Mother War with Jabo Kritsky, and fashion with 

Katro Zauber.

We also feature a number of new releases and two new videos by Monotonne, “Експерименти над людиною” (feat. аппекс and taken from the forthcoming album 37) and Endless Melancholy, “Running” (feat. Bilyk).

But to begin with we’ve produced a video featuring all our interviewees as a recap of sorts.

And, as usual, here’s the latest UFN podcast for ResonanceFM with Heinali talking about the making of his new album Kyiv Eternal out today followed by the our spotify compilation for the month of February.

Tracklist:
Lugovsky – “Sirens of Kyiv”
Heinali – “Rare Birds” / Field Recordings (unreleased)
Heinali – “Shulyavka” / Field Recordings (unreleased)
Sound Weekends – “Tram 12” / Field Recording
Heinali – “Silpo”
Heinali – “Botanichny” / Field Recordings (unreleased)
William Basinski – “DLP 2.1” (snippet)
Heinali – “Kyiv Eternal”
Svitovamora “Pleura A” and “Pleura B” (background)

JANUARY 29 2022 – KYIV

Mar’yan Kitsenko

• making a remix of “Мені Здається” by Ukrainian folk rock band Гайдамаки

• making a remix of “Turėja Liepa” by prominent Lithuanian electronic artist Girių Dvasios

• and a collaboration with a Lithuanian dance duo “Rytis & Diana” that has gained some warm feedback.

Default by Mar’yan Kitsenko

Has the full-scale invasion changed your approach and motivation to music and has it had an impact on your playlist?

I have been at “war with myself” long before the full scale invasion, on multiple levels, both artistic and existential. So, I’ve completely stopped researching and buying the new music, and oftentimes I can no longer listen to anything, especially while working.

Occasionally, I can listen to some random youtube dub techno mix or some 2-hour drone ambient on a background and that’s it.

You used to run the net label Energostatic Records. Much has changed in the intervening years but last year, the good people at ASIP released a selection as a fundraising compilation back in March 2022. How did you feel about this and what is your general opinion on the number of fundraising compilations that have come out since February 24? Also, how do you feel in general about the longevity of much of the ambient output?

Enforming

Energostatic was a net label (i.e.,not-for-profit) and money was never a priority. Several years ago, before the war, I tried to fundraise via an artist compilation for Mihail Shevchenko aka Enformig, one of the label artists, when he was struggling with cancer. It wasn’t much, so I have added other funds that have accumulated on the account over the years. Again, in total, it was a very modest lump sum. Unfortunately, Mihail has lost that battle and is in a better world now.

Hence, honestly, I didn’t expect much when Ryan from a strangely isolated place suggested creating a charity compilation. But this small campaign has managed to raise $5,000 and these funds were sent to Save the Children Ukraine. That’s truly amazing and I’m still a bit humbled.

Especially, knowing the fact that some artists represented in the compilation are no longer with us. But the good cause transcends the distances, cultures and time.

How would you describe the electronic and ambient music scene in Ukraine and how do you see it developing under present circumstances?

In all honesty, I haven’t been following the scene for years now, so I don’t know. I think there’s always some underground experimental stuff going on, but it’s all fragmented and niche.

What impact has the war had on you both on a professional and personal level?

No veteran leaves a battlefield without scars. Every single day there is another battle in one’s mind, and on all levels.

Also, what impact has it had on the language you speak and the culture you consume?

I have been trilingual since childhood: English, Ukrainian, and russian. Now, the latter is removed from all my social media profiles and CVs. I am no longer speaking or writing in it, and  canceling everything related to that culture, I don’t want it to exist.

What are the biggest misconceptions the West still holds about the full-scale invasion and is there anything about the way the war has been covered that you find especially problematic?

That peace treaty is an option. That russia can be bargained or reasoned with. That it should exist as a country.

Where are you now and have you been displaced by war at any point?

I have been staying in Kyiv since day one. The first week or two I lived in an improvised bomb shelter.

Do you suffer from burnout and how do you unwind?

I don’t suffer, I enjoy the new paradigm of “beautiful-burnout-as-a-service”.

Are you apprehensive about the anniversary of the full-scale invasion and is the date triggering for you?

Not sure I have any feelings towards that date. The biggest thing is that this nightmare is still on, everyone is tired of it, but we are paying with our lives for political/capital games around it..

DTF Magazine recently compiled a list of 11 Ukrainian releases that make sense of the war experience. What would your picks be?

I would have never known about it, if it wasn’t for you. At times like this, I would pick anything that is either deeply sad and grieving, or motivates you to jump into the hellish insanity of a combat. War is a time to hate. The aftermath is a time of horrific silence.

Which book / film / album / song / traditional dish / podcast / blog / artwork / building / meme best captures Ukraine for you?

The sound of an air raid siren bursting out in the middle of a cold night, while sleeping on a rough floor in a basement.

Who should I interview next?

FEBRUARY 4 2023 – KYIV

photo by Ann Evstigneeva

Latexfauna


We started as a student music group. And after university, we continued to make music so that there was something more in our lives than just office work. We didn’t plan to be particularly popular, so we didn’t even think about the genre. We just played what came out, despite each of us having diametrically opposite tastes in music. The bassist listened to death metal, the guitarist to rockabilly, the vocalist to electronics, and the keyboardist to post-punk. And with Latexfauna, it turned out exactly how it did. It was unplanned and unexpected. We all enjoyed the experiment. And from the very first track, our music was liked by all discerning Kyiv hipsters.

Has the full-scale invasion changed your approach and motivation to music and has it had an impact on your setup and your playlist?

We continue to make our music according to the same algorithm as before the war. First, a simple guitar song is written, which is inspired by anything in life, and then we all come up with an arrangement together. No, the war did not force us to reflect on it in our work. We don’t like to make music based on circumstances. In our understanding, art owes nothing to anyone. It should be spontaneous and inexplicable. Only under such conditions is it beautiful.

photo by Ann Evstigneeva

Your album Senbernar came out last September. How much of it was already completed before the full-scale invasion and what can you tell us about its recording?

The whole album was written before the war. Only the song “Ivan Bohun” was created during the invasion. But it has nothing to do with war. This is a song about outlaw lovers: about a Cossack colonel and his Crimean Tatar mistress, Khan’s wife.

However, this album has a lot of songs that resonate with the current phase of the war and an uninformed listener might think that we wrote them under the influence of the war. But these are just “prophetic” songs. We turned out to be quite cool prophets, it would have been better had we remained silent.

My friend Anastasia from Cherkasy is curious to know, “You use quite a bit of surzhyk in your songs. Have you ever gotten any comments from language purists about it? Do you feel like Cherkasy surzhyk should be considered Unesco heritage along with borsch?”

Of course, we hear criticism about this all the time. But it usually comes from people who do not know how to feel the subtleties of language. They don’t understand its semitones, and that’s why they criticise it. They want black to be black and white to be white. But a lyrical hero has a tangible texture and becomes real only when he has flaws and cracks. Charisma lies in our flaws.

After February 24, many bands found themselves displaced in different parts of the country. What has your experience been and where are you all now?  

photo by Ann Evstigneeva

Now we are all in Kyiv. However, everyone went through the evacuation route in their own way. Some took women abroad, some hid in the Carpathian Mountains. But in the spring we all gathered in Kyiv, to prepare for a charity tour of Europe and raise money to help the army.

What impact has the war had on you both on a personal and professional level and how has your outlook on life changed over the past year? Also, has it had an impact on your personal relationships and the language you speak?

Two members of our band were russian speakers before the war. Guitarist Ilya Sluchanko actually comes from Crimea. And the drummer Maksym Hrebin is a russian-speaking Kyivan. However, now both boys have become completely Ukrainian-speaking, so as not to resemble our terrible and unprincipled enemy.

What are the biggest misconceptions the West still holds about the full-scale invasion and is there anything about the way the war has been covered that you find especially problematic?

The West thinks that we are at war with people who have human concepts, values, and orientations and that we can negotiate with them. In fact, we are fighting against a completely inhumane, misanthropic system that is endless in its bloodlust. This war is not a political issue. This is a question of the biological survival of our people.

photo by Ann Evstigneeva

Back in October 2022, DTF Magazine compiled a list of 11 Ukrainian releases that make sense of the war experience. If you were asked to compile a similar list, what would your picks be?

Sorry, no idea.

Which book / film / album / song / traditional dish / podcast / blog / artwork / building / meme best captures Ukraine for you?

A Book by Ivan Bahrianyi, Tiger Trappers.

Who should I interview next and what should I be asking them?

Kurgan & Agregat. They are the real volunteer heroes of our days! And the greatest Ukrainian rappers ever!

FEBRUARY 5 2023 – FONTANKA

Kirk Blunder – HTyouall – Alex Break– A – Fleischesmarkt

Hello. My name is Alexey Volusunov. Before writing music, I listened to it a lot. Back in my school days, my older sister started bringing music CDs home from her friends. It was very different, but not mainstream music. During the summer holidays, I got a job in a music store. I earned enough trust that I was able to take the CDs home, digitize them, and return them to the store. One day I would take David Sylvian’s Camphor branded disc, and the next day I would take Jon Hassell’s Power spot. Every Sunday I attended a gathering of music lovers in Shevchenko Park in Odesa and exchanged very rare records there. Parallel to this, I attended a music school to play the guitar and jammed with older friends. At the age of 16, I was already making my first recordings on a music center with a cassette deck and a voice recorder, layer by layer. Then it all started.

Has the full-scale invasion changed your approach and motivation to music and has it had an impact on your playlist?

Undoubtedly. The first months of the invasion were not at all up to music. All attention has been focused on the daily occurrences. This is incredibly painful. For all our people. I still find it difficult to write and listen to music. Now is not the right time for art. Now is the time for decisive action to eliminate the occupier.

You use a number of different monikers, from Kirk Blunder to HTyouall, and previously Alex Break, and A. You also had a duo with Konstantin Karpin, Fleischesmarkt. Is the ability to reinvent oneself paramount to longevity? And is there a common denominator to your sound?

Exactly. I never wanted to stop at the achieved sound and receive dividends from this. In music, first of all, I liked the process of finding what corresponded to my emotions. But above all, I wanted to and still want to find my own style. Therefore, I regard my journey as an experience and a joy.

How would you describe the electronic and experimental music scene in Odesa and how do you see it developing under present circumstances?

I don’t think that the electronic and experimental scene in Odesa is very different from any other scene in the world. I know it would be good to create an image for our local subculture. But, in my opinion, geography has long ceased to play a role in the world of our technologies and experience. The Internet has made the technology available to all, but has also made things more uniform and less original. Also, the availability of information to the Internet user makes their experience (for example, listening to music) standard. Therefore, geography and communication no longer play a primary role in the development of art in subculture.

What impact has the war had on you both on a professional and personal level? Also, what influence has it had on the language you speak and the culture you consume?

War makes you think and act faster, as well as value time and meeting people. It makes you rethink life and death. The war did not affect the language and culture in any way for me. As before, I am pleasantly surprised by the eloquence of the Ukrainian language and the power of our culture and, whenever  possible, I try to cultivate my knowledge.

How did you get into making miniature furniture?

I have been making miniature furniture for 6 years now. It all started when I decided to leave the bohemian life in Odesa and return to the places of my childhood and build a wooden frame house. Then I learned how to work with a tool, began to read magazines, and build my own woodworking machines. At the time my mother was making dollhouses and asked me to make a set of furniture. I liked the process of its manufacture and I began to study the history of furniture building. Since then, I have been making designer miniature furniture to order.

What are the biggest misconceptions the West still holds about the full-scale invasion and is there anything about the way the war has been covered that you find especially problematic?

I think if there were misconceptions, then they have already been dispelled during the war. Even the most stubborn person on Earth has already seen how bad everything is in russia and what are the true motives of people from this country. I am proud of every Ukrainian who has clarified the process of understanding russia’s war against us, and it seems to me that there is no doubt what to do with these bloody savages.

Where are you now and have you been displaced by war at any point?

From the very beginning of the war until today, I have been in my woodshop-musicstudio-home, which is located near Odesa, in the village. I continue to work and donate to our army.

Do you suffer from burnout and how do you unwind?

I love my life very much and appreciate every moment of it. For the third year I have been doing calisthenics and it helps me a lot to keep myself in good physical and mental shape. I also do physical education with children, teenagers, and the elderly. It helps me to be socially active and enjoy simple human interaction.

DTF Magazine recently compiled a list of 11 Ukrainian releases that make sense of the war experience. What would be your picks?

I really appreciate and respect our media and musicians, but I don’t follow them.

Which book / film / album / song / traditional dish / podcast / blog / artwork / building / meme best captures Ukraine for you?

Listen to the album Kraina Mriy by Vopli Vidopliassova. This is the most Ukrainian thing for me.

Who should I interview next and what should I be asking them?

I highly recommend interviewing Odesa musician and cultural figure Vladimir Chigrinets aka Вічний Ґандж.

He can tell a lot about the present and past underground cultural life of Odesa.

FEBRUARY 8 2023 – RUSSIA (originally from Mariupol)

unfeeling

Hey! My name is Artyom, aka unfeeling. I am 21 years old, on February 21 I will be 22 years old. I started making music in 2018, but I started to fully release tracks on the platforms and somehow seriously take up music somewhere in 2020. I’ve always liked despair and dark ambient sounds mixed with fast and groovy tempo, so I’ve always listened to performers such as: Goreshit, Severslvt, Loli in early 20s and many others.

Initially, in 2019-2021 I did simple lo-fi, because in those years I really liked it (as well as vaporwave, synthwave and eurobeat), but later I began to like music more and more similar to those performers that I listed above and I tried to write tracks in completely different genres, which I still do.

I like breakcore, drum and bass, lolicore, breakbeat, ambient, post-punk, classical music and many other genres.

Has the full-scale invasion changed your approach and motivation to music and has it had an impact on both your setup and your playlist?

Yes, of course, the invasion directly affected me and my music. If we talk about the technical aspects, then I lost access to the computer and equipment I used to make music with. I now only have access to an old laptop from 2010, which takes 1-2 minutes just to open a plugin, and 30-40 minutes to render a track. So I had to produce the last two albums (Say Goodbye to the Past and Start Over and Stop Being Sad You Are Good) on this laptop. Technically, it is very difficult, as it takes a lot of time, but the main thing is that I have ideas and I do not despair.

On Nina Eba’s podcast Air Raid Siren, you talk about some of the trauma you went through while in Mariupol. Have you been able to start processing those events?

I have just spoken about the technical side of things, now I’ll speak about the impact of the full-scale invasion on my mental health. 

Back in Mariupol I suffered from shell shock, when a rocket flew into the basement where my family and I were sheltering. From that moment on I have memory lapses and depersonalisation. I don’t remember much of what happened to me before February 24, 2022, or I remember moments that seemed not to have happened to me.

A month before the start of the invasion, my grandfather died, because of this I was very ill and lost my motivation for music. When I was in Mariupol, during the fighting, my cat, Sonya, who was 15 years old, also died. I dedicated a track to her on my latest album called “Terrible Day When My Cat Died. 2007-2022”. In the track, I tried to express the pain that I felt and still feel. My cat suffered for a long time, but died peacefully in my arms.

What can you tell us about the making of your album Say Goodbye to the Past and Start Over, which came out in early October 2022 on BBB Records, and how difficult was it to make aside from the technical aspect?

This album was really hard for me. I was constantly losing my projects due to a bad laptop and OS, but what is more difficult is the realisation that the tracks that I made reflect completely, or almost completely, what I went through. I tried to reproduce my thoughts, experiences, opinions, emotions and memories in these tracks. It’s still hard for me to listen to the first two tracks and realise that all this happened to me.

Your latest album Stop Being Sad You Are Good, came out at the end of December. It is a dark album that seems to alternate between “happiness and despair”. How are you able to preserve your mental health? And is the track “Sorry about my face” an homage to the artist by the same name?

The last album is really replete with many bipolar tracks. There is happiness mixed with sadness, joy and sadness, fast melodies mixed with extended ambient. I just decided to make tracks that describe all of me. I don’t know if it’s normal that I experience mood swings at times and am depressed due to the loss of my city, apartment, friends and relatives, but I try to smile and my girlfriend helps me, she is always there for me and always helps me both morally and with the tracks.

Regarding the track “Sorry about my face”, yes, I communicate with this artist and we even have a collaboration, the album We like to be diverse.

This artist influenced me a lot, so I wanted to mention him in my discography.

What can you tell us about your present circumstances?

At present, everything in my life is ambiguous. Yes, I am very glad that I am alive and that I am close to my girlfriend, parents and a couple of friends, but I cannot forget that I lost my apartment, my computer with countless projects, I lost all my things (I managed to take only a couple of items of warm clothing, socks and underwear). I try to carry on and to acknowledge that I am personally not able to change the course of world events, no matter how much I would like to.

How can one support your music?

I think the best support is by listening to my music. My dream is to bring my music to the masses. So that as many people as possible can hear my sound. So, listen to me on spotify, YouTube, soundcloud and other sites – this is the most important thing for me. 🙂

if you want to support me financially, then this can be done through Boosty, the russian equivalent of Onlyfans.

What are the biggest misconceptions the West still holds about the full-scale invasion and is there anything about the way the full-scale invasion has been covered that you find especially problematic?

To be honest, I don’t know. I can’t say what is true and what is not. I’m not trying to sit on two chairs at once, I really just have no idea of what is true and what is false. The news always says one thing on TV, another thing on the Internet, and a third thing in the newspapers, but personally you are always convinced of something completely different. So – I cannot specifically answer this question, I’m sorry.

How do you unwind?

Oh, I play video games! I am a big fan of such games as: Osu, Minecraft, Dota 2 and others. But, due to the fact that at the moment my laptop is not playable, I play Dota 2 on ultra low settings. I also try to spend some time outdoors. Sometimes I like to be alone with myself.

Mariupol Theatre – photo by Oleksandr Malyon

Which book / film / album / song / traditional dish / podcast / blog / artwork / building / meme best captures Ukraine for you?

The only thing that comes to my mind is the now destroyed drama theatre in Mariupol (that theatre was truly great). Borsch (how can one ever be without it?) and, I think, poems / stories / stories, etc. by great Ukrainian poets of the 1960s who were repressed by the Soviet Union.

Who should I interview next and what should I be asking them?

My friend is lettertomypast, he is currently near Kyiv, studying and writing incredibly cool music…

FEBRUARY 9 2023 – KYIV

photo by Eugenia Shpakovska

Bohdan

My name is Bohdan, I’m a music producer and DJ. Hailing from Konotop, a small northeastern Ukraine town, I have resided in Kyiv for the past two decades. Throughout this time, having been engaged in the local electronic music scene I’ve put on lots of events, contributed my expertise to our music mags, and hosted some projects at the local radio station.

Has the full-scale invasion changed your approach and motivation to music and has it had an impact on your setup and your playlist?

Undoubtedly, the war had a profound impact on every facet of my existence, including artistic endeavours. Like all our fellow Ukrainians, I awoke on February 24 to a nation engulfed in a full-scale invasion and it was evident that life would forever be altered. The immediate priority was ensuring the safety of my loved ones, following which I devoted myself to volunteering efforts. In such a tumultuous environment, the idea of creating music was unfathomable due to the scarcity of time and inspiration. This lasted for a considerable period, but I have recently resumed work on some compositions that I had initiated prior to the war.

As a listener, I also found myself completely detached from the music – I believe this experience was shared by many of us. It wasn’t until a couple of months into the war that I rediscovered the beneficial features of ambient music and delta waves while working. It served as a respite from the overwhelming noise of information, allowing me to focus on my tasks at hand.

photo by by Oleksiy Gotz

You are the Right Brain at Asyncronous (together with Leftie) and the Archpriest at ÆNIGMA. Could you introduce both projects?

Asyncronous is a collaborative project that my friend Oleksiy and I initiated several years ago. It is a unique and experimental hybrid that transcends genres and draws inspiration from our collective experience and musical influences. Over the course of our collaboration, we have released two EPs and one live recording. Our next EP, recorded prior to the war, is slated to see the light of day this year.

As for ÆNIGMA, it is a series of my hypnotic techno events that first took place in Kyiv in 2020. Given the current state of the country, ÆNIGMA now operates as a monthly podcast featuring techno artists from Ukraine and beyond.

photo by Serhiy Khomenko

What impact has the war had on you both on a personal and professional level and how has your outlook on life changed over the past year?

The war has taken much from all of us, including time, opportunities, and the capacity to plan our future with certainty. Even those Ukrainians who have not directly experienced mortal danger, whether they are within the country or abroad, would struggle to claim that they are living a normal life.

Today I primarily occupy myself with my main job, which due to the pandemic has become adaptable and allows me to do business from anywhere. This affords me the ability to prioritise other important matters such as supporting my family and friends, some of whom have been forced to leave the country or were trapped in territory occupied by the enemy, as well as volunteering and contributing to humanitarian projects aimed at fulfilling both civil and front-line needs.

Prior to the outbreak of war, my friends and I enjoyed hiking and nature photography, sometimes trekking up to 30 km a day to reach secluded locations with breathtaking views. This type of leisure, which combined physical exertion and some kind of meditation, kept us fit and provided mental respite from our daily routines. However, the opportunities for these activities are now severely limited, as many previously accessible routes are now off-limits, and large swaths of Ukrainian forests and fields remain littered with landmines – a wound that is likely to inflict greater pain and suffering in the years to come.

Have your concepts of time and space changed since February 24?

As you find yourself in this situation, you come to cherish your time, recognising its scarcity and the fragile nature of life itself. You subconsciously assess your surroundings, gauging the level of safety in the event of a catastrophic occurrence like a missile strike. Furthermore, the planning of your daily activities is closely interwoven with the schedule of power outages. The frequent missile strikes by russian forces on our critical infrastructure have necessitated the temporary shut off of electricity in cities for several hours a day in order to conserve the energy resources of the system.

What are the biggest misconceptions the West still holds about the full-scale invasion and is there anything about the way the war has been covered that you find especially problematic?

The West made two critical errors in their approach to the war in Ukraine; firstly, they underestimated our capability to withstand the enemy and secondly, they believed that this military conflict could be resolved through diplomatic means — by way of concessions, persuasion, and negotiations. Tragically, these misperceptions proved to be advantageous for russia during the early stages of the war. However, it is evident that the Ukrainian military is capable of mounting a valiant defence and delivering devastating blows to the enemy, as long as they are provided with the appropriate training and sufficient access to necessary weapons and resources. And this is the only way to defeat russia, as the issues and difficulties brought forth by this terrorist state cannot be solved through diplomacy. Thankfully, the West is currently reevaluating its stance and has opted for a more effective course of action.

When asked by Natalia Korniienko in Chytomo, “How long will it take the world to stop seeing Ukraine – historically, politically, culturally and mentally – through the lens of russia?”, the Ukrainian writer and artist Anatoly Dnistrovy answers that, “The problem here is that Ukraine has never presented itself on foreign markets. And russia, on the other hand, put great efforts into it: they’ve been tirelessly retailing their messages all over the world and feeding their narratives to the European society for centuries.”

Do you feel there has been a shift in the public’s perception and understating of Ukraine over the course of the past year?

The origins of this problem date back over three centuries to the time when the russian tsardom gained control over the Ukrainian lands and established Ukraine as a colony. Throughout the years, Ukraine’s history has been reinterpreted and rewritten to align with moscow’s perspective, deeply impacting our cultural heritage. This trend persisted under both tsarism and the Soviet Union, resulting in the persecution and extermination of intellectuals, artists, writers, scientists, historians, and members of the clergy, as well as the banning or rebranding of their legacy as russian or soviet.

Today you can also observe the proof of this chauvinistic ideology in the actions of russian troops in the occupied regions of Ukraine, where they persecuted a particularly patriotic segment of the population, looted museums, purloined rare historical artefacts, works of art, and confiscated Ukrainian books from educational institutions.

Anatoly Kryvolap – Evening pasture

This cultural appropriation continues as part of russia’s reality-substitution policy, which aims to erase the Ukrainian identity. This is evident in areas such as literature, music, folklore, and even cuisine, where much of what is widely recognised as russian culture actually has Ukrainian roots. For instance, by reading English-language articles about the artist Kazimir Malevich or the writer Mykola Gogol on Wikipedia, one will notice that they are represented as russians, while in fact, they are Ukrainians, and their works are a critical component of the Ukrainian cultural heritage.

The current global attention on Ukraine presents a unique opportunity to rectify historical injustices and showcase the diversity of our culture to the world. Although it is unfortunate that such tragic events are the reason for this attention, we can observe the world community’s genuine interest in and attempts to learn about Ukraine. Additionally, the 8 million Ukrainian refugees living in different countries have become ambassadors for our traditions, history, and culture, through their interactions with those who have graciously provided them with shelter and support.

In the same interview Anatoly Dnistrovy also states that, “…our fight and resilience against this wild and huge Russian beast has impressed the world. But we have to understand that the audience will cool off soon.” How does one keep the “audience engaged”, so to speak?

It is imperative that we comprehend the limited time we have to address the threat posed by russia. A frozen conflict or russia’s evasion of accountability for its actions could result in catastrophic consequences, not only for Ukraine but for the world as a whole. The presence of a state that sponsors terrorism and whose influence extends beyond its own borders poses a grave global problem.

Recent events clearly demonstrate russia’s interference in the internal affairs of other nations through media manipulation, political bribery or intimidation, and even assassination attempts on its opponents in foreign countries. Ignoring the issue will only exacerbate its toxic impact and we are all in this together now.

photo by Eugenia Shpakovska

Many are saying that Russia is planning a new major offensive to mark the anniversary of the full-scale invasion. What is the feeling on the ground in Ukraine about this?

One year after the invasion, the russian command obviously have to sum up at least some intermediate results of its “special military operation”. It was challenging for the russian military to conceal their losses from their citizens, who were witnessing the mass appearance of soldiers’ obituaries on social networks, lost their relatives in the war, and probably need an explanation of “what our boys died for.” Meanwhile, russia hasn’t yet achieved any decisive victory, such as capturing a major regional centre or gaining control over the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In light of their hastened efforts to mobilise and train new personnel, putin will likely undertake endeavours aimed at achieving localised objectives that can be publicly proclaimed as victories. Undeniably, the month ahead will be a blood-stained period of intense combat. In Ukrainian, February is called “Lyutyy” (лютий), which also means “fierce”. For the Ukrainians, I can say that it won’t be a huge shock like it was a year ago. We trust our military and think our country can fight back well against the enemy.

In previous episodes of UFN we embedded a series of videos from Anton Somewhere. Have you been working with him and when is his documentary coming out?

Anton and I have been friends since he lived in Luhansk. Last year in April and June, I joined him on a filming expedition to document the demining and elimination of unexploded russian ordnance near Chernihiv. Our involvement included supporting a team of sappers and pyrotechnicians from the Chernihiv State Emergency Service with necessary equipment and field attire, as part of the “Razem z Ukrainą” initiative led by Fundacja Kultury Duchowej Pogranicza (Poland).

Throughout the war, Anton extensively traveled in Ukraine, conveying his personal experiences through comprehensive coverage of the events. If you’re curious about his future film projects, it would be best to ask him directly for further details.

Andrii Kotliarchuk – Teteriv River after liberation

Which book / film / album / song / traditional dish / podcast / blog / artwork / building / meme best captures Ukraine for you?

I suggest you explore the art of the well-known modern Ukrainian artist Anatoly Kryvolap, who creates meditative landscapes with a minimalist approach, where colour plays a paramount role. For me and likely many admirers of his art, these paintings evoke a sense of serenity and peace, which has been lost amidst the war. Also, I would like to bring to your attention the works of photographer Andrii Kotliarchuk, who is currently exploring the theme of military issues through the lens of traditional Ukrainian aesthetics. His shots possess powerful symbolism and embody an ancient, primal energy, awakened again in our darkest hour.

Who should I interview next and what should I be asking them?

Na Nich & Vera Logdanidi from Rhythm Büro, Svarog from Lviv, and Arctica from my hometown of Konotop.

FEBRUARY 10 2023 – KYIV

I.Krueger

My name is Illia, I’m 32 and I’m from the Luhansk region. As long as I remember myself, music has always been with me. Back in the days, my father used to listen to rock music mainly, it could be Metallica or Pink Floyd, but once he brought a CD of Swiss electronic band Yello, which I liked a lot and I think these were the first steps of mine in electronic music. A bit later there were CDs of Matrix OST, Kazantip (sorry for the «z») compilations and CDs, which my parents brought me from the clubs in Luhansk. Later I tried to learn how to DJ by watching some videos and tutorials to be able to play in clubs, also learning how to use DAWs to write something of my own.

I moved to Kyiv in 2014 after russia (which is a terrorist state) decided to «liberate» the Donbas region. Kyiv was different, bigger, more forward-thinking, so my music taste was changing with me, I started to listen to more experimental music, and here we are.

Has the full-scale invasion changed your approach and motivation to music and has it had an impact on your setup and your playlist?

The full-scale invasion changed everything for sure. For the first several months it was kinda difficult to listen to any type of music, because mainly I use headphones and one can’t relax with the headphones on, trying to pay attention to different sounds which could be missiles or jets, air raid sirens as well.

A Couple of friends of mine were doing some VA compilations to raise money, and I had an opportunity to take part in them, but I couldn’t pull myself together at the time. Later ambient and experimental music became the solution, while dance, or let me say uplifting music, looked inappropriate for me.

You host the podcast Рефлекторій (Reflectory) on Gasoline radio, showcasing “non-dance music, field recordings, preserved sound and deep extraterrestrialism (sic).” How deeply extraterrestrial would you say are local artists and what sounds would you preserve from the past year? Also, how do you feel about the use of field recordings, and in particular about air raid sirens and other “sounds of war”, being included in a number of tracks over the past year?

Thanks to Gasoline radio crew Рефлекторій became possible. It was, and still is, the platform for reflection through music, which I’m keen on. To answer your question, I think local artists are really deeply extraterrestrial in some way. It is difficult to put it in words, but it can be heard in their mixes and their own production.

I love field recordings and the whole process behind them. Regarding some «sounds of war», it has two sides as I see it. It can be traumatizing and triggering for some people, but also it can be seen as a project with cultural meaning. Silence of Sirens by Philipp Markovich for example.

You are originally from Donbas, have you been re-traumatised by the full-scale invasion?

Yes, the feeling was like «here we go again», but different at the same time. I was shocked and didn’t believe it could actually happen, but it did, so some flashbacks about living in and leaving occupied Luhansk took place as a result.

What impact has the full-scale invasion had on you both on a personal and professional level and how has your outlook on life changed over the past year? Also, has it had an impact on your relationships and the language you speak?

The full-scale invasion took the meaning of planning away from me, in terms of any big further plans I might have had. I can plan ahead only for one day at a time, or maybe even a week. The first couple of months were mainly depressing, I lost my day job, and I had to move to another flat, but everything changed for me thanks to our Armed Forces, volunteers and the national spirit of Ukrainians.

Back in April I went to Gostomel, Kyiv region a couple of times with the volunteer organization District One Foundation. We helped civilians who stayed there to clean, restore and rebuild their houses, kindergartens, markets, etc. A lot of people were involved in that and similar organisations, which made me believe we are going to win this war.

My parents and close friends were not speaking Ukrainian before February 24, me either. But I see how many people start speaking Ukrainian, identifying themselves as Ukrainians. I love it and fully support it. I’m trying to upgrade my Ukrainian vocabulary right now and it has become way better since the full-scale invasion.

What are the biggest misconceptions the West still holds about the full-scale invasion and is there anything about the way the war has been covered that you find especially problematic?

The whole world should finally understand that russia is a terrorist state, and has always been. It is not February 24 and not Donbas 2014 where everything began, russia tried to insult Ukraine way earlier in our history, murdering and striving to eliminate Ukrainians as a whole nation. And they are not going to stop in Ukraine.

Where are you now, and have you been displaced by the full-scale invasion at any point? Also, should you be in Kyiv how are you coping with the outages and the cold?

I’m in Kyiv, where I’ve been all the time since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. I feel like home here. It was sad to leave Luhansk in 2014, so, this time, I decided to stay. A lot of my friends left, but there has been a feeling of community with the ones who stayed in Kyiv and feeling of relief that the ones who left are safe.

The businesses mainly use generators to be able to work. In the evening you can hardly hear anything else except generators. I got used to outages, using candles(https://instagram.com/agni.agni.agni?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= are the best) and lamps on batteries. It is way more difficult to work on something when you have no internet or cellular service, but I’m not complaining, the victory is close.

How do you preserve your mental health under present circumstances and how do you unwind?

Mainly I’m mentally stable. Sometimes it is difficult to stay focused, I can feel depressed and irritated for a short period of time. When that happens, I go for a walk, or turn my Digitakt on, or I visit my friends and chat about what’s going on. Movies are my buddies too.

Рефлекторій is a big escape for me right now, I love to pick some tunes for the show.

Back in October 2022, DTF Magazine compiled a list of 11 Ukrainian releases that make sense of the war experience. If you were asked to compile a similar list, what would your picks be?

In alphabetical order

Albums
Andriy Kostyukov – For fishes that think they are swimming in the void
dj snork – last path passing
mystictrax – Hospitallers
Radiant Futur – Hypersensitive
tofudj – Take
uniq_id – November Punch
Volodymyr Gnatenko – U
xtclvr – safety EP

Compilations
Sestro compilation by система|system
ВОЛЯ by Muscut (Volia in Eng – Freedom)

Singles
jockii druce – “sho vy brattya”
Yaroshkah – “Alex Alland breakdancing on Putin’s grave”

Let there be 12 🙂

FEBRUARY 21 2023 – AMSTERDAM



Katro Zauber

I am a Ukrainian DJ, songwriter, singer, and music producer. I was born 38 years ago in the small town of Bucha, near Kyiv, Ukraine. Music has always been in my life since childhood. In school I was a choir soloist and choir practice was my favourite moment of studying. I had a pocket cassette player with my favourite albums of different pop, hip-hop bands and artists. Also my family had a record player, custom sound system and a collection of records.
My favourite hobby was to record from one cassette to another different parts of songs and to use the voice recorder on my player.

The very first time I went to a nightclub was a moment that changed my life forever. I heard new tunes for myself: electronic music, disco, house, techno and jungle. I was impressed and inspired. Later I became a party promoter and then after several years of working at night clubs, I started to learn how to mix records. It was early 2000. During all these years I have been exploring music with different styles, genres, sides and perspectives at night clubs, festivals, fashion and art events.

Has the full-scale invasion changed your approach and motivation to music and has it had an impact on your playlist?

Definitely, yes. For the first month I didn’t listen to music at all. It was tough and pointless. I felt that I became more sensitive and vulnerable after the war started. I came back to producing music at the end of April and focused on my own sound. Since then, I have been working at my studio on my own music. Almost all songs and tracks that I’ve created since then are pierced with pain and challenges.

The year 2023 started in the studio with another mood – more positive, hopeful and groovy. Yes, it’s still painful and heavy, but I want to express myself with strong and hopeful meanings, with all this huge energy that I have. Because this war now is not only a Ukrainian war – we are fighting together for freedom, peace and human rights. The most important thing now it’s to stay with a light inside, to be useful, open, and to care for people who need it.

You went from being a promoter and booking manager to working for the decks. Has having insider knowledge of the industry, so to speak, helped? 

You know, everything in my life in Ukraine was so natural and simple. I mean, since I was eighteen when I went to the nightclub, and started working there after a few months, till 2021 when I had my 15 years of DJ career behind, and  different projects, even during the whole pandic. I started deejaying without big dreams of being famous, just for fun. I guess that because I was so deeply in love with the music and with the crowd, I became in demand in Kyiv.

All the networks that I had in Ukraine, I started to build them 20 years ago. Because of my enthusiasm, my empathy and my open and extroverted personality, and my interest in new experiences, I always had a lot of job offers and opportunities. I started to work in a nightclub as a host, then later I was an event promoter and club manager, project manager, marketing and PR manager. Everything was so natural and dynamic, I did not have time to think about who I wanted to be in the future, to be honest. I was happy with everything that I had for many years.

I understand you are currently based in Amsterdam. What are the biggest challenges you have had to face in relocating and how does it feel to witness events in Ukraine from afar?

The hardest part of the relocation is that I had not prepared for it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t far-sighted enough in terms of a possible career and professional future outside of Ukraine. Like all Ukrainians, I was fully in shock and didn’t understand what to do. Because all the plans that I had before February 24 were about my work at the studio and music production in Ukraine.

For the first few months in Amsterdam, first of all, I was trying to find an internal balance. It wasn’t easy, but I feel now that my daily meditation and yoga practice are working together very well for my mental and physical health.

Amsterdam is a beautiful and chilled city. I love this atmosphere when everything is moving around you, without chaos, I feel safe here. I love walking a lot and cycling as well, especially when it’s sunny.

Of course, I miss my lovely Kyiv, family and friends every day. But I decided to continue my journey here, coping with difficulties and finding opportunities to support my people.

You also worked with Ukrainian designers and fashion brands. What can you tell us about that experience?

I should say that I started to sew my own clothes at 12 years old, and was creating my own wardrobe up to my early 20s. I was sure that I’d become a fashion designer, but then nightlife took all my attention and focus. I started to work for clubs, bars, and events and without even noticing I forgot about my childhood dream, but because of my passion for fashion, I started to work with boutiques, fashion stores and brands as a DJ. Later I started working with designers and created a lot of music tracks for fashion shows at Ukrainian fashion weeks.

Also, I have been collaborating with brands as a model and ambassador. I love it so much! I love shootings, filming, being part of something big and special, and being in the process of creating.

You are a resident at Gasoline Radio, which has been uniting the music scene and nurturing talent at a time when many artists have had to leave the country. How do you see the electronic scene developing in Ukraine under present circumstances?

Yes, I’m so happy to be part of Gasoline radio. These people are inspiring and motivate me never to give up. Even when one is down and sad, one cannot stop, we all need to keep going and do our best. To create every day and to develop modern Ukrainian culture.

My radio show is called Magic Transition – a monthly show which combines the exploration of self, the world around us, and electronic music full of unexpected decisions and devoid of the possibility of categorisation. Starting with practical advice and exercises that I use to develop my creative potential, the episodes are filled with story mixes that help the listener to realise and understand the moment of transition to another level of consciousness that humanity is currently experiencing. I am talking in Ukrainian and posting English translations for international listeners.

In 2023, the focus of attention is on exploring the state of joy and practical exercises that help to be in this state, despite the difficult circumstances in the surrounding modern world.

When I’m choosing guests for the podcast, I focus, of course, primarily on personality and musical taste. What is important to me are the life values of a person, and the attitude to music, motivation and energy that an artist radiates.

My goal today is to show how electronic music with its different colours and shades can inspire, and encourage, especially in a world filled with difficult experiences. More than ever before, today it is important for me to broadcast peace and light to support Ukrainians and all caring people who choose peace and prosperity. The world is going through a transition into a new reality, so it is important to stick together with like-minded people, never give up and shine brightly.

I see the Ukrainian electronic scene has started to grow fast since 2020 and during the last year, I watched how many new names were born. That is amazing. I hope all musicians will continue to create and glorify our culture because that’s a fundamental part of identity today.

How did the war affect you both on a personal and professional level over the past year?

On a professional level, I almost went back to square one. Unfortunately, over the past year, as I didn’t have a booking agent, I didn’t have as many gigs as I was used to. Step by step, slow and steady. The biggest challenge is to forget all the success that I had before in Ukraine and to start to grow again, proving that I am good enough to have my place under the sun.

I wasn’t promoting myself in Kyiv, opportunities came to me naturally and easily. In Amsterdam, on the other hand, I need to work hard on my networking, and be ready for strong competition. That’s a new experience for me but I don’t think that’s too bad for my personality. New challenges bring new opportunities, I know that and I can feel how stronger and more vigorous I am becoming.

You were born in Bucha. How does one deal with the level of atrocities that have come to light?

This question is really tough for me. To deal with the level of atrocities that Ukrainians have experienced over the past year after russia’s invasion of Ukraine is almost impossible, it’s painful and heavy. A close friend of mine was brutally killed in Irpin’ – a town near Bucha, on March 6, 2022 by the vile occupants.
I think about him every day and miss him so much. I remember him and the light he radiated. That makes me stronger and softer at the same time. I don’t want to feel hate and anger, because that makes no sense. I want to feel love and to be the light.

Are there any recent releases by Ukrainian artists that have been particularly meaningful to you over the past year?

Yes, I want to point out a few releases.
Тонка – Рятівник

SESTRO – a compilation of various Ukrainian artists and performers presented by СИСТЕМА /system/ label.

Which book / film / album / song / traditional dish / podcast / blog / artwork / building / meme best captures Ukraine for you?

Тіні забутих предків HD (дивитися фільм українською) – this is a classic book and film about a Ukrainian love story, where you can see our traditions, cultural customs and ceremonies.

Володимир Івасюк – “Червона рута” (1970) – a song from my childhood, our Ukrainian funk 🙂

Traditional dish – the one and only borsch – I love to cook this hot veggie healthy soup for myself and my friends regularly.

My favourite Ukrainian blogger on youtube is Yana Metyolkina – she’s been living in Kyiv throughout the war and has been helping people not go crazy. She is fun, enthusiastic, energetic, motivating, and a super kind person.

Michel and Nico Feldman – twin sisters and artists from Ukraine – for me they are faces of cool Ukrainian contemporary art today.

Mariya Primachenko – is a legendary and famous Ukrainian artist from the XX century.

In Kyiv, we have a Crematorium, which was created by two Ukrainian artists Ada Rybachuk and Volodymyr Melnichenko a long time ago. I recommend watching a documentary about that artist and unique building.

Who should I interview next and what should I be asking them?

ТОНКА – the intelligent pop duo of Yaroslav Tatarchenko and Olenka Karas.
Stanislav Tweeman

NEW RELEASES

Ukraine Emergency ~ audiophob

“The horrible and by all means unnecessary war in Ukraine is still going on and at the current moment mainly the energy infrastructure is targeted and destroyed. This causes especially now in the cold season of the year to more and more misery amongst the civil people of the country.

To be able to help at least with a small amount, we decided to release a download compilation on audiophob. We are very happy, that we were able to find numerous great artists, not only from our labels audiophob and Krater Recordings, but also many guests, that wanted to take part in this endeavour.

The compilation is available as of now via our bandcamp site for the minimum price of 5€. Of course, also higher amounts are more than welcome and can be chosen by personal potential – every small amount helps.

All revenue Bandcamp is paying to us, meaning minus fees (after todays bandcamp friday!) and taxes, will be donated without any further deduction to the “Nothilfe Ukraine” program of the German Red Cross (www.drk.de/hilfe-weltweit/wo-wir-helfen/europa/ukraine-krise-humanitaere-hilfe/).”

RESIDENTS MIXTAPE #1 ~ ОЧІ

31 tracks mixed and selected by be_ca_dі out on the new imprint ОЧІ, “an underground independent non-commercial ukrainian label for electronic music,
aimed to change the industry.”

RIP 90’s (2) ~ Bodya Konakov

Second volume of the RIP 90s series by Bodya Konakov out on XYZAKI (ex-ШЩЦ), a nicely crafted mix of ambient electronic and analog synthesizer with a retro feel. Released on a name your price basis with part of the proceeding going to Ukraine.

gplusb ~ Andriy Kostyukov

“dropped some unreleased from my pocket, in which i combine shoegaze guitars with breaks amen stuff flavored by firmed sound design.”

Braveland ~ Waveskania

“This EP is a compilation of audio works I’ve made over the last year during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The mood is inspired by the corresponding events and the power of the spirit of my people.

The main vocal leitmotyph of the track “Темна нічка” was recorded a few weeks before the war in one of Kiev’s subway, where I noticed a group of colorful elderly women who performed traditional Ukrainian songs.

Here you can find varied genres with an accent to the deeper roots/styles I follow.”

empty streets ~ vixiii

One of the two new tracks released by vixiii this month, “empty street” is an unsettling and inspiring blend of ambient and field recordings conjuring up ghostly presences with snippets of conversations drifting in and out.

Katakomba ~ Chaosy

“KATAKOMBA is a mini album by Kyiv’s (now based in Berlin) musician Chaosy. This release has been in store for almost exactly a year. We planned to announce KATAKOMBA on February 24, 2022, a day that also happened to be the first day of russia’s full-scale invasion.

One year later, we finally feel ready to share this project that so much work and thought has gone into. Now it feels like something from a different lifetime, yet, somehow, these 6 tracks boldly fit with our feelings of the present.”

v/a “Music For Space Lorry Drivers” (2003) ~ Thermos Records

Available on bandcamp on the 20th anniversary of its CD release, “Music For Space Lorry Drivers”, is an eclectic and joyful collection by Dj Derbastler and featuring the likes of Foa Hoka, D.Riba, Pankifared, JUF, Leoveb, and Tne Rhytmless.

Searchers ~ Tsatiory

Two brand new tracks from Tsatiory.

Kitsch Songs (1973) ~ Valentin Silvestrov

One of the latest additions to Silvestrov’s bandcamp page already hosting 179 albums (and counting) from his prodigious archive. Featuring Valentin Silvestrov on piano and Larisa Bondarenko, Alexander Tchepournoy, Lydia Stowbun and Ludmila Hrimalskaya on vocals. Recorded at the composer’s home, Kyiv, 1973 and at Dovzhenko studio, Kyiv, 1980. 

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