From Ukraine and for Latin America, the band GO_A gave us the opportunity to know them and speak about their history, their members and “Solovey” their winning entry of Vidbir 2020, here is what they told us:
OGAERLA: Who are you in the world of music and what is music for you?
Go_A: Music is our life, the way to express our feelings through our songs. All Go_A members previously played in rock bands. However, a common goal and love for Ukrainian culture and folklore unite all the members. So we refer to ourselves as retransmitters Ukrainian cultural heritage.
OGAERLA: In three words, how do you define the style of Go_A and how do you define yourself as people?
Go_A: Ethno, energy, emotions. Open minded musicians.
OGAERLA: You have been in music industry since 2012 having several participations in local and international festivals, how has been that way to remain in music with a non-commercial genre like electrofolk?
Go_A: when we started to perform as Go_A it wasn’t because we wanted to become rich celebrities. We decided to build our creative work on the combination of electronic music and Ukrainian folk. As a result, we got into a strange situation – we didn’t match the music format of nearly any music festival in Ukraine so we started to play in small clubs.
Then we started to get some attention because our performances have never left listeners cold. Now after we’ve won Ukrainian national selection we believe we had been doing the right thing.
OGAERLA: Countries like Poland, Israel or Belarus have witnessed you concerts and, in Slovakia they have listened to your songsque me, What do you feel when your music transcend borders and bring some of Ukrainian culture to the world?
Go_A: It is a chance to represent our culture on the international level since we retransmit Ukrainian cultural heritage to a wide audience. It is an honor and a great responsibility for us.
OGAERLA: How did you get the idea of mixing the nasal sounds, electronic music and traditional instruments of the world like the Australian didyeridú and the yembé?
Go_A: We got the idea quite naturally when I met Kate and we started to make songs together. I was fond of electronic and world music and Kate brought the idea of Ukrainian folklore. At first, we wrote one song as an experiment and it worked out well so we were surprised that no one had done anything alike before.
OGAERLA: Ukraine returned to Eurovision this year and again used the Vidbir as a platform to find the representative in Rotterdam, how did this opportunity came to you, did you have to think hard to accept participation in the preselection?
Go_A: It was because of our fans. For almost a year we had been receiving messages from them that we should participate in the next national selection. So we’ve decided to give it a try.
OGAERLA: When listening to the songs participating in the Vidbir 2020, you were positioned as one of the big favorites to win. How did you face this previous favoritism during the competition?
Go_A: Actually, before the Vidbir final, we were on the 5th place of 6 contestants according to bookmakers. But also we were receiving a lot of positive comments from people all over Europe. So we just made our preparations for the performance because we knew it was up to us to make it right.
OGAERLA: Tell us about the musical genres you are identified and which artists inspire you
Go_A: All Go_A members have their own, sometimes even opposite to each other, musical preferences. That’s why we’re being inspired by artists from different musical genres. To pick 3 favorite artists, for Taras there are Dakhabrakha, Devin Townsend Project and Pendulum; for Kate – Sigur Ros, Loreen, Radiohead.
OGAERLA: Have you thought before this year about participate in Eurovision or this opportunity suddenly appeared?
Go_A: As we said before, our fans convinced us to participate in Vidbir. Also during our concerts in Europe in 2018 and 2019 we learned that people liked our music not only in Ukraine. And last year our song Vesnyanka made it to the Apple Music Top 40 in Slovakia. So we’ve decided to take our chances.
OGAERLA: What is the story and message do you want to deliver with “Solovey” in Rotterdam?
Go_A: The song “Solovey” (Nightingale) is based on Kate’s personal story. It is about a strong girl who gives in and let she fall in love. Then, suddenly she realizes that she is not taken seriously.
She holds on to her dignity till the last and keeps playing her role as if she doesn’t really care, and yet turns the tables.
OGAERLA: Could you tell us which Ukrainian proposal for Eurovision has been your favorite?
Go_A: We’re fond of Jamala’s “1944”, we find this song very inspiring.
OGAERLA: Eurovision has a large number of fans in Latin America. Have you visited any of our countries?
Go_A: Unfortunately, we haven’t. But we hope we’ll have a chance to do it in the future.
OGAERLA: Would you like to bring your music to our countries or maybe make some collaboration with some latin artist?
Go_A: We’ll be happy to do both! Latin music is very passionate and energetic. Also before Go_A our sound producer Taras played in a Batucada (Brazilian drum orchestra) band here in Kyiv and it inspired him in several of our songs.
OGAERLA: Finally, what message do you want to give to the people who are reading this interview?
Go_A: Remember who you really are and hold on to it because it’s one of things in life that’s really matter. And thank you for attention to our band!
Interview: Christopher Estrada
Traduction: Alberto Delgado