MEU September/2 24 newsletter

MEU September/2 24 newsletter

Blog

Greetings, dear music lovers and enthusiasts! This September is full of exciting events, and we are eager to share the latest announcements and invite you to celebrate music together!

For the fourth consecutive year, the official Ukrainian delegation will be at the Reeperbahn Festival — one of the most influential music business events in Europe — alongside colleagues from the CEEntral Party with HEMI Reception. During the reception, which will take place on Friday, 20th, at the Thomas Reed Irish Bar and Club (Nobistor 10, 22767 Hamburg), you’ll have the chance to network with industry professionals and band representatives, explore potential collaborations, and enjoy some drinks and great music. Later in the evening, you can catch performances by five outstanding bands from Romania, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

Ukrainian band Say something bad (Скажи щось погане), performing at 18:50,  is a minimalist duo of two Zoomers: bassist-vocalist Artur and drummer Margo. Their sound leans towards indie/grunge, but it’s more about the vibe — a vibe that captures the essence of a broken heart, youthful spirit, raw emotions, and rebellion.

Seize a moment to meet Ukrainian business professionals: Yevhenii Skrypnyk – Founder of NGO ‘SHUM RAVE"; Maryna Mykhailova – Concert manager, co-founder of Vertuha Records; Yurii Bazaka – Founder and CEO of Kontrabass Promo, concert manager; Alona Dmukhovska – co-founder of Music Export Ukraine; Tanya Stadnyk – Operations Director at Music Export Ukraine; Iryna Lobanok – Music Program Manager at the Ukrainian Institute.

Mixmag Ukraine presents an in-depth exploration of the Ukrainian dance music history. Featuring an all-vinyl mix by Kyiv-based selector Vlad Fisun, this journey covers 30+ years of local electronic music scene. Almost a year ago to the day, Mixmag opened a new office in Kyiv, Ukraine. In celebration, the local Ukrainian team is marking its first anniversary by giving back to the dance music community with a special gift. In September, Mixmag Ukraine will publish a new book titled The History of the Ukrainian Rave – a deep and exciting study of the local scene, covering everything from the period of the late Ukrainian SSR to the time of the pandemic. It also includes more than 50 interviews with influential club figures, musicians, and DJs.

Mixmag contacted the author, well-known music journalist Ihor Panasov, and asked him to provide a brief guide to the Ukrainian electronic music scene based on his research. Ihor's text is complemented by an all-vinyl mix from Kyiv-based selector Vlad Fisun, who presents an eclectic selection of Ukrainian electronic music from 33 years of the country's independence. Read the full feature and listen to the mix here.

Light in the Attic Records has just announced a groundbreaking compilation, Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996, set to release on October 18th. This collection showcases a comprehensive selection of Ukrainian music recorded before and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, bringing to light the rich and underrepresented sounds of the region.

The compilation features tracks like “Bunny” by folk-rock group Kobza (1971) and “Play, the Violin, Play” by Kyrylo Stetsenko featuring Tetiana Kocherhina (1990). Compiled over five years by Matt Sullivan, David Mas, Mark “Frosty” McNeill, and Ukrainian label Shukai Records, this project became more significant against the backdrop of the ongoing war, resonating as a cultural and political statement. Discover these archival treasures on Bandcamp. Proceeds from the compilation will support Livyj Bereh, a Kyiv-based volunteer group dedicated to rebuilding regions affected by the war in Ukraine. Dive into this sonic journey and support a worthy cause! 

At Burning Man 2024, Ukrainian military DJ Tapolsky played his powerful set near the "I'm Fine" installation, created by artist Oleksiy Sai and the team leader and producer of the art project, Vitaliy Deynega. This installation emerged as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience, revealing the tragedy of war to international visitors. During his set, DJ Tapolsky, representing the Cultural Forces of Ukraine, incorporated recordings of his mother, comrades, and friends, responding to the questions: "How are you?" and "What do you dream about?"

Vitaly Deinega says: “We really wanted to talk about war and resilience, goodness and feelings very beautifully and loudly. We decided that the sculpture should talk to us all and tell a story. AnatolyTapolsky is not just a DJ. He is also a military man.The first voice you will hear is his mother saying that she wants the war to end and see her children again”. You can watch the full performance here.

Don't miss a chance to meet our team member Diana Dodonova at the Ireland Music Week in early October and enjoy Ukrainian music at the concerts all over the world: