Emerging from the vibrant cultural mosaic of Ukraine, Nina Eba unveils her debut album, MORPHO, an odyssey of self-discovery and artistic evolution reminiscent of the enchanting metamorphosis of the blue morpho butterfly. Just as the butterfly’s dazzling hue is a play of light on countless scales, Eba’s music refracts her life’s myriad experiences into a captivating sonic tapestry.
MORPHO is a six-track exploration of unrequited love, the harrowing escape from war-torn Ukraine, the solace of escapism, and the resistance against the digital world’s constant pull. It’s a journey through isolation, social media’s grip, and the cyclical nature of existence.
Drawing inspiration from avant-garde icons such as FKA Twigs, Sega Bodega, and Sevdaliza, Eba’s style is a fusion of R&B and art-pop, with breakbeat and bass undertones. Her hybrid set on HÖR BERLIN in June showcased her magnetic sound design and stage persona, seamlessly balancing gentleness, toughness, and whimsy. Her voice has resonated on Rinse France and Radio Rudina, and her poignant Air Raid Siren podcast documenting the invasion of Ukraine has been featured on NTS, RBL Berlin, Voices Radio, and Hong Kong Community Radio.
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Photo credit: Daria Savytska
Music has been Eba’s constant companion; from her mother’s choir serenades during pregnancy to her earliest compositions at 12, it’s been a lifelong pilgrimage and her early years in Kyiv’s rock bands segued into solo productions inspired by Nicolas Jaar and Crazy P. Despite a devastating burglary that robbed her of her work, she found her path again through DJing and audio installations, influenced by the eclectic vibes of Burning Man.
Eba’s tenure with Kyiv’s GRVGRV collective—a bastion of genre-defying, bass-driven sounds—fostered her creative identity. “GRVGRV was my sanctuary, the cornerstone of my musical growth,” she reflects. Now observing Ukraine’s creative renaissance from her new base in Graz, she continues to push boundaries and nurture her artistic vision.
Having fled her homeland at the war’s onset, Graz has allowed Eba to thrive artistically and personally. “Debuting as a solo artist at the Woman Action Forum was a turning point,” she shares. The serene Austrian city provides fertile ground for her experimental artistry and personal growth.
Her album’s single, Cocoon, delves into the quest for sanctuary amid ever-growing chaos—a reflection on escapism as a refuge from both emotional and physical peril. Alone in a dormitory, Eba found her “cocoon,” a haven where she wove her transformative journey into silk-like harmonies and arpeggiators, capturing the calm before the storm.
Nina Eba’s MORPHO is not just an album—it’s an intimate chronicle of metamorphosis, a testament to resilience, and a beacon of hope for Ukraine’s cultural future.
