Originally from Ukraine, YEV brings a multicultural, pop folk sound to themes of resilience at a time when we really need them. His music is an invocation for action for and by all of us. You can see him play live at the album release March 29 at the Icehouse.
Please tell us about yourself and your music.
I’m YEV, a Ukrainian American artist based in the Twin Cities. My music blends cinematic folk rock, modern blues, vintage pop, and world music, deeply influenced by my Ukrainian heritage and a love for American musical culture. Through melody and storytelling, I explore themes of resilience, love, loss, and belonging, drawing inspiration from personal experiences as an immigrant and the stories of Ukrainian refugees and war veterans. A pivotal moment in my musical journey was being awarded the 2023-2024 Cedar Commissions, which allowed me to delve deeper into themes of solidarity with Ukraine’s struggle and begin the process of writing my debut album, set for release in April.
Your debut album, YEV, is a powerful depiction of life as an immigrant and refugee resilience. The music is polished like a Broadway musical, which I think makes it easier for an audience that may not have the same lived experience to process the stories. And then there’s “Oi Chi To Kin,” where the sound will bring tears to the eyes despite the fact that I don’t understand the words. How intentional was the blend of beauty and rawness in the telling of such important stories?
Thank you for your kind words Ann. I’m delighted to hear that the cinematic elements of the songs are helping new listeners connect with the music—that truly means the world to me. Bridging different worlds together, both musically and thematically, was definitely a goal for me with this album, and it’s great to hear that the message rings true. With “Oi Chi To Kin,” I aimed to offer a fresh, modern take on this traditional Ukrainian folk tune. The song tells a poignant story of a Kozak who falls in love with a girl but must leave her to go to war, evoking a sense of romantic yearning and melancholy. I wanted to tap into that sense of sorrow and longing, which led the song to take on a haunting direction in its production. Additionally, this rendition allowed me to incorporate my Western “modern blues” influences, bridging my Ukrainian and American backgrounds. Even if the words aren’t understood by many, I’m glad to hear that the emotion of the music transcends language barriers.
“Witness” feels like an anthem. What would you like to see listeners take away or do after listening to the song?
My motivation for writing “Witness” was to highlight the strength and bravery of the Ukrainian people, but its core message is universal. The song is indeed designed to be an anthem—a call to action and reflection. I hope listeners feel inspired to acknowledge and honor the struggles and resilience of those who have faced, and continue to face, adversity. More importantly, I hope it motivates them to become active participants in creating positive change, whether by supporting humanitarian efforts, engaging in community initiatives, or simply fostering empathy and understanding in their daily lives. And, of course, to keep the Ukrainian people in their hearts and minds.
Ukrainian
I chose to include “Motherless Child” on the album because of my deep personal connection with the song. When I first heard “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” it resonated immediately—I moved to America at a young age with my mother, who passed away during my youth, and the lyrics captured my own feelings of loss and displacement. Recently, I’ve also been reflecting on children impacted by global conflicts, especially those from Ukraine who’ve lost their homes or families. To visually explore these themes, I filmed a music video in Norway honoring the hardships of the most vulnerable. My rendition serves as a tribute to this classic spiritual, bridging past and present struggles through the universal emotions of loss and longing.
Please tell us about the upcoming album release.
My self-titled debut album bridges my Ukrainian heritage with a deep love of vintage American music, aiming to bring together two worlds in harmony. Inspired by the courage of Ukrainian refugees and war veterans as well as my own immigrant journey, the songs explore themes of bravery, love, loss, and belonging through a unique blend of cinematic folk-rock, vintage pop, and soulful world music. I’m excited to celebrate the album’s release with a special performance at Icehouse on March 29th, where CDs will be available ahead of the official April 25th street date. My hope is that this music resonates deeply, offering listeners a voice for emotions that are often left unspoken.
Mostly Minnesota 