Music Export Ukraine became active in 2015. On their website they present themselves as “an independent initiative, which helps Ukrainian emerging artists to establish connections, promote their music, develop career and talent on the international level. Our main activities include artist support, cross-sector collaborations, international exchange programs, educational events, along with the only one export oriented music conference and showcase MCU in Kyiv. We also facilitate information about Ukrainian music industry and its specifics. Stick to our monthly newsletters, playlist and updates on the website to track market’s development. We are your connection to Ukrainian music!“

The latest Music Conference Ukraine (MCU) took place online on 18 and 19 of February of 2022. The program is available here. It is also interesting to check the artists which with they cooperate for the export, here.

In order to support the Ukrainian music community and to deal with the consequences of the Russian invasion and war, Music Export Ukraine launched the support programme, which you can read about here.

With this information you now have some context to continue with Dartsya’s questions and answers.

Mapamundi Música: What is the current situation for the musicians in Ukraine? Is there still any possibility to make a living by performing for the ones settled in the country?

Dartsya Tarkovska: The fear that Ukrainian music will become obsolete at the time of war disappeared within the first week of the full-scale invasion. The cultural landscape definitely changed as some musicians joined army and territorial defence, while others became volunteers. Still, new music is still being released every week and it fuels the energy of millions of Ukrainians. The topics definitely became very different, as many songs reflect on traumatic experiences around war, loss and fears. In a way, it’s interesting to see how the music scene became an emotional reflection of the whole nation and help us process everything.

Unfortunately, the professional side of the business remains a big struggle. Without full recovery after COVID-19, music industry was challenged to survive under unbearable conditions. Live performances traditionally were the main source of income for musicians, but at the time of war every concert had a set of restrictions. We’re not talking about masks and sanitizers anymore, but about venues that can operate as bomb shelters, timing that would match curfew and electricity generators to enable sustainable performance. The cost of living also leaves a trace on the fans’ capability to support their favourite artists. Still, it’s mesmerising to see more emerging artists join the scene and feel that they’re here because of passion for music and not for money. The Ukrainian music industry is definitely going through a transformation.

MM: Have you noticed a greater interest on the international scene in your proposals? If so, has it been sustained over time, now that a year has passed?

DT: There was definitely a boost in attention to the Ukrainian music scene in Spring-Summer 2022. I always believed that music is a strong tool of policy making and 2022 proved this one more time. Providing a spotlight to Ukrainian artists was important for many reasons – to spread important messages, gather donations, support Ukrainian refugees and many more. We were very grateful to see as many industry players provided opportunities for Ukrainian artists to be heard – via festival slots, radio and media placements, residencies, cooperation projects and many more. Unfortunately we had to admit that war fatigue is a very strong thing. It’s indeed hard to stay ‘in trend’ with such a complicated topic. Currently international activity of Ukrainian artists is focused around one motto – War is Not Over. From Kalush’s call to save Mariupol at Eurovision up to the performance of an unknown DJ in a small German village, we’re standing as one in our intentions and messages. 

MM: Could you recommend any online resources to get deeper into Ukrainian culture in general and music in particular? 

DT: As a starting point, you can totally begin with ‘Ukraine is here‘ – a project created by Google in cooperation with a set of Ukrainian national museum and key industry stakeholders. 3D models, art in AR, entertaining video and articles – it’s all there.

I also love online resources crafted around particular topics. The Polyphony Project is a great example, as they preserve and present the living musical folklore of Ukrainian villages. Check out the interactive map and play some videos! Having access to our cultural legacy in such a modern way indeed transforms your perception of it.

Lastly, if you’re curious to discover some modern music, pay attention to Slukh.media – this is one of the biggest music media in Ukraine and last year they introduced an English version of their website. This media remains a reliable source of new Ukrainian music, highlighting both established and emerging talents: https://slukh.media/

MM: This newsletter goes to people working with music and a good part of them deal with traditional / world / folk musics. Would you recommend them to pay special attention to any of the artists you are currently supporting?

DT: Dakhabrakha, Go-A, Kalush Orchestra, Onuka – we’re very pleased that more Ukrainian artists become known abroad. This time around let us tell you about several hidden gems: