Berlin’s nightlife is beginning to reawaken, although its spirit has never really rested. With the lifting of restrictions, DJs and producers are now able to bring us the party IRL so, you can say goodbye to the online live streams. Since the fall of the wall, Berlin has been the epicentre for people from all over the world to come together, to unite and become one on the dancefloor, transcending the anxieties and mundanities of day-to-day life. Now, the people of Berlin and beyond are showing solidarity for Ukraine, with a number of fundraising events and charity EPs in aid of the devastating humanitarian crisis. We have compiled a shortlist of experimental, forward-thinking labels and artists that are supporting those in need.
HÖR: Hope in Unity
Berlin’s very own HÖR has responded to the devastating situation in Ukraine by creating a 27 track digital album, Hope in Unity. Comprising a real diversity of sounds from a range of producers from around the globe, Hope in Unity is certainly the perfect name for this compilation.
All proceeds from this album will be donated to Bridges Over Borders Berlin, a community-based collective of artists and volunteers that aim to support BIPoC, LGBTQIA+ and other marginalised refugees to access housing, essential items, medical care, integration support, and immigration advice.
Hidden Element: Everything Happens for a Reason
Hidden Element is a producer from Kyiv, Ukraine. Inspired by sci-fi movies, Hidden Element (Igor Kirilenko) combines pieces of breakbeat, techno and ambient sounds together to create experimental tracks filled with texture. His latest release, “Everything Happens For a Reason”, was produced long before the war and captures “the vast sense of suffering and overcoming”. On the release, Kirilenko wrote, “I’m in Kyiv and not going anywhere. I’m not leaving my home. I don’t see any reason to postpone this release, because I’m not sure I’ll have an opportunity to do it in the future.”
Everything Happens For a Reason captures the complexities of the human experience. “Everything we’ve achieved can easily be demolished, bringing us back to square one. Either way, these experiences shape us, give us a chance to become stronger, bolder, more determined.”
All proceeds from “Everything Happens For a Reason” will be donated to the needs of the Ukrainian Army, who are fighting for the peaceful skies of Ukraine to return once and for all.
Mama Told Ya: Use Your Difference To Make the Difference
Founded by Anetha, Parisian label ‘Mama told ya’ is at the forefront of experimental, forward-thinking electronic music. Focused on collaboration as a creative engine, ‘Mama told ya’ has released EPs from artists such as UFO95, ABSL und Ryan James Ford, with most of the releases featuring sounds from Anetha herself. With each EP, Mama brings us a new piece of advice, and her latest is “Use your difference to make the difference” – UFO95s mind-bending journey of techno, IDM and early gabber, encouraging us to explore our own inner uniqueness.
All proceeds from digital sales in March via Bandcamp will be donated to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund to support the people of Ukraine.
Corridor Audio: We Are Invincible
Corridor Audio is a Ukrainian based label that aims to release a symbiosis of music and abstract art to encourage creativity and reflection. Their most recent release is ‘We Are Invincible,’ an album comprising 25 tracks from 25 different Ukrainian electronic producers and incorporates ambient, experimental sounds to more intelligent dance music sounds. On the project, Corridor Audio says, “it is difficult to say what our music will become in the future. But we are sure that new music will be the music of peaceful Ukraine, the music of the free land, the music of strong heroes, full of rage and strength to fight for the future of their independent state.”
All revenue from ‘We Are Invincible’ will be donated to charitable funds supporting the people of Ukraine.
John Object: Life
John Object’s ‘Life’ is moving to say the least. A Kyiv, Ukraine based producer, John Object (Timur) has created a catalogue of 58 unreleased works under his latest release ‘Life.’ His decision to release this was due to the devastating circumstances that he, and thousands of other Ukranians, finds himself in. On the release, Timur wrote, “I have no idea what my life is going to be like tomorrow and how much longer I have, so it felt appropriate to share an archive of my 2010-2019 works, in case I never get to do that when I’m old.”
John Object’s ‘Life’ is a reminder that the people of Ukraine are real people, going through something entirely unimaginable. His release is on Bandcamp as a “Name Your Price,” making contributions more widely accessible.
Natural Selection: In Aid of Ukraine
London-based label Natural Selection has united some of the most respectable names within the electronic scene, including a selection of Ukrainian artists, in their 33 track compilation, ‘In Aid of Ukraine.’
All proceeds will be donated to Ukrainian charity foundation ‘Come Back Alive’; a non-governmental organisation that provides support to the Ukrainian military.
Support Ukrainian Labels and Artists: Open Source Spreadsheet
The Internet can truly be an incredible thing, and our final example shows just that. An open-source Google spreadsheet has been created for people to add the names of both Ukrainian labels and artists who you can support directly. This is a list that is ever-growing, and is a great tool for those wanting to further their knowledge on Ukraine’s music scene as well offering the means to support artists directly.