Is a Ukrainian musician, the first vocal DJ in Ukraine. She exclusively DJ MAG told us about the start of her career and her musical preferences.
What do you think a DJ is? (i.e. what are his main functions and what is his main goal)
People are used to think of the DJ as the person who plays music. One track finishes, he then puts the next record on, so there’s no silence. Like he works instead of a player. What A real DJ does, he creates the right atmosphere, the right vibe. I believe it’s the connection thing – sharing your energy and make people feel what you feel. It doesn’t matter where you are, whether you’re in the car or you’re at a big festival, you get that energy. To me, these days a DJ is like all the Marvel superheroes in one. An entertainer, a producer, a musician, showman – well, in my case it’s the show-woman lol. The mission is super clear: create a party, create a show you want to be at! To celebrate, to hang, to dive into this Big Big Sound! To dance with friends or with your bestie. Sometimes come to the party alone just to sit and watch people. Even so) Either way, there will always be a DJ in the spotlight.
What makes you stand out from other DJs
The last thing I want to do is compare myself to others. Why compare? Everyone is beautiful in his or her uniqueness. If I’m going to compete, then not with others, but only with myself. Just to become the best version of myself.
Describe yourself in five points?
It’s just: determined, persistent, fair, sociable, definitely a bit of a meanie.
Before working as a DJ, what did you do, how did you realize that you should make music?
You know, I liked DJing for a long time, but I decided to become a DJ all of a sudden.
It was an impulse, a spark, an epiphany, whatever you want to call it. And then at some point I also decided to combine DJing with singing
How do people listen to music in Ukraine?
Now that’s a very good question. What can life be like in times of war? My life became so fragmented. Everything changed in an instant. Ukrainians have changed so much. Ukrainian music has changed a lot too since the Russian invasion and there is a reason. Music is always a reflection of social or political life. You can’t isolate music from reality. It always reflects what’s happening. I would say that I have changed my sense of myself in music, in the genre, it’s all because of the war. I started to feel more acutely everything. The war has changed the way I feel about what’s going on. It made me realize how fragile our world is, how fleeting the moment in which we live today is. I don’t follow pop music very much, but I can definitely say that there are two to three times more Ukrainian songs coming out now! As for electronic scene, the Ukrainian electronic scene is much, much more focused on the world market.
How do people listen to music in Ukraine nowadays, is the DJ sphere alive?
People listen to electronic music because it helps them. To get them in the right mood, cope with stress, not to go crazy, find a balance.
You started right away by signing a contract with an American label. What were your feelings when you heard the long-awaited “YES”?
I was like, “Come on. No way!” Hahaha I’m kidding. I felt absolutely fantastic! I was waiting for my music to be released, I knew it would happen, because the music I make is very good, it’s very solid. It’s the kind of stuff that will rock the party.
Assess the current situation in the music industry. Aren’t you afraid of competition?
Have you noticed how much the dance of the nineties is back? That Robert Miles aesthetic and all these Eurodance hits that I used to have in my player when I was a little girl. It all came back and became trendy again. I remember very well that moment when I heard Young Marco – What You Say – it’s pseudo-retro, it’s lovely and funny at the same time, and yet I’m not bored with it, I like it. I also like what’s happening with progressive house. It hasn’t changed and is still as rocking, strong and powerful as never before. It doesn’t change itself and is still as rocking, strong powerful as never before. Am I afraid of the competition? God, no. Why be afraid of competition? Competition helps you get stronger and better. I’ll just play the music I love, make tracks, make good tracks.
How did your family react when they heard that you became a DJ?
My family has always been my strength and support. I’m so grateful to them for supporting my ideas, celebrating achievements together with me. The family is very important to me. They are wonderful and I love them so much. They were quite surprised by my decision when I told them I wanted to be a DJ, not that it was news because I’ve been involved with music since I was a kid. I took piano lessons and then there was a music studio. I started experimenting with vocals, I started recording my first demos, tried out different styles, and then I realized I wanted to keep going with electronic music.
