Published
Mon, Apr 25, 2022, 14:05
- The producer put together a fundraiser compilation of Ukrainian artists that came out earlier this month.
Ukrainian producer Pavlo Poputalo has kept making and releasing music from his home city, Okhtyrka, throughout the ongoing Russian invasion.
Earlier this month, Poputalo put together UNITED (O) vol.1, a 14-track compilation of breakbeat, techno and more by artists from across Ukraine, including Panghoud, Whaler, Monotronique and Poputalo himself. The proceeds will be donated to humanitarian efforts and the Ukrainian Army.
Poputalo, who is 29, has been making music for 15 years.
Starting with instrumental hip-hop, he later moved onto electronic music and has since created what he calls his own sound: "Okhtyrka electro breaks, a wild mixture of breakbeat, techno and acid house."
Poputalo spoke with Resident Advisor about the recent devastation caused to Okhtyrka, which sits in the north-eastern Sumy region. When the war broke out on February 24th, Okhtyrka was among the first targets due to its strategic position and close proximity to the Russian border (37 miles).
"My city is officially a hero," he said. "It's very small with only 40,000 people. When the war began, I felt it was my duty to tell the whole world about Okhtyrka. But now it's getting destroyed. Truth and creativity are my weapons in this struggle."
Poputalo said the area where he lives was hit by four rockets and two aerial bombs. "This was in the first few days. They destroyed the historic centre and buildings that survived the Second World War. They also destroyed the railway station."
Before the war, Okhtyrka was a city brimming with creative projects. "We compare it to Bristol because our scene is inspired by acid house, breakbeats, jungle and trip-hop," Poputalo said. "I studied the history of electronic music development and the UK scene for me is very inspiring."
He added: "I built my music studio and a dance floor at an abandoned factory about six years ago when my son was born. Everything else was also born from that moment. One of our events promoted a film and photography exhibition supported by the British Council. We began to hold music events and work with young people, carrying out masterclasses in music production while supporting the skater community and local artists."
Two of Poputalo's friends made a short documentary about the impact of the Russian invasion on Okhtyrka. The nine-minute film, produced by Alex Parfilo and Volodymyr Nyankin, speaks to locals and documents the damage caused to homes, buildings and infrastructure.
Poputalo and his friends are currently busy traveling across the city delivering food as volunteers. "The whole city is engaged in helping each other, but there are lots of broken buildings where people lived," he said. "It's hard for me to look at them."
Poputalo believes art, music and creativity are now more critical than ever. "That's why we've made this compilation," he said. "Music has the power to unite us all. Everyday I go to check my apartment and studio and feel thankful that they are still there. All my equipment is in the studio right now: synthesisers, mixers, everything. My life."
Raid alerts sound every night in Okhtyrka. When they go off, Poputalo takes a pair of headphones and some hardware to the shelter where he sleeps and makes tunes. "Writing music helps me to forget about the war for a while," he said. "I think it was also like this for the other artists who helped make this compilation."
Listen to the compilation and watch the short documentary about Okhtyrka.
Tracklist
01. Panghoud - Belly Club Tool
02. Monotronique - Tribe
03. Sumbur - Sporadic Tech
04. Illia Deineko - Swamp Wizard theme
05. Estus+ - Bender
06. Isaac Knife - Secret
07. ZIPCULT - BLCKOUT feat. токсітин
08. Pavlo Poputalo - Okhtyrka
09. Whaler - Ти мій Ти
10. Exieve - Handle With Care
11. Zvooqe - Direct
12. Teoss - Ukrainian Ghetto Stories
13. Ruslan Kod - Worry
14. PALLAS ATHENA - 5pm
UNITED (O) vol.1 is out now.
Photo: Pavlo Poputalo
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Before the war, Okhtyrka was a city brimming with creative projects. "We compare it to Bristol because our scene is inspired by acid house, breakbeats, jungle and trip-hop," Poputalo said. "I studied the history of electronic music development and the UK scene for me is very inspiring." He added: "I built my music studio and a dance floor at an abandoned factory about six years ago when my son was born. Everything else was also born from that moment. One of our events promoted a film and photography exhibition supported by the British Council. We began to hold music events and work with young people, carrying out masterclasses in music production while supporting the skater community and local artists." Two of Poputalo's friends made a short documentary about the impact of the Russian invasion on Okhtyrka. The nine-minute film, produced by Alex Parfilo and Volodymyr Nyankin, speaks to locals and documents the damage caused to homes, buildings and infrastructure. Poputalo and his friends are currently busy traveling across the city delivering food as volunteers. "The whole city is engaged in helping each other, but there are lots of broken buildings where people lived," he said. "It's hard for me to look at them."
Poputalo believes art, music and creativity are now more critical than ever. "That's why we've made this compilation," he said. "Music has the power to unite us all. Everyday I go to check my apartment and studio and feel thankful that they are still there. All my equipment is in the studio right now: synthesisers, mixers, everything. My life." Raid alerts sound every night in Okhtyrka. When they go off, Poputalo takes a pair of headphones and some hardware to the shelter where he sleeps and makes tunes. "Writing music helps me to forget about the war for a while," he said. "I think it was also like this for the other artists who helped make this compilation." Listen to the compilation and watch the short documentary about Okhtyrka.
Tracklist 01. Panghoud - Belly Club Tool 02. Monotronique - Tribe 03. Sumbur - Sporadic Tech 04. Illia Deineko - Swamp Wizard theme 05. Estus+ - Bender 06. Isaac Knife - Secret 07. ZIPCULT - BLCKOUT feat. токсітин 08. Pavlo Poputalo - Okhtyrka 09. Whaler - Ти мій Ти 10. Exieve - Handle With Care 11. Zvooqe - Direct 12. Teoss - Ukrainian Ghetto Stories 13. Ruslan Kod - Worry 14. PALLAS ATHENA - 5pm UNITED (O) vol.1 is out now. Photo: Pavlo Poputalo Other stories / Ukraine: How to help, resources, messages of solidarity Ukrainian clubbing community shares experience of war Ukrainian electronic music scene urges Russian boycott in open letter From One Ukrainian to the Global Underground: Help