Saicur emerges as a powerful voice of feminism and self-confidence in contemporary European music. With the release of her debut song “Live or Die” on November 10th, the Ukrainian artist introduces a captivating blend of ethno-electronica. Rejecting musical norms, the track challenges listeners to ponder life’s fundamental question: “What will you leave behind when you die?” It’s a radical message urging action over inaction, a theme resonating through the experimental fusion of genres. Unbound by conventions, not only creates unique melodies but also fearlessly advocates complex feminist ideas, making her a distinctive force in the music industry.
KALTBLUT caught up with the artist as part of our #TheCulturalConnection-interview-series to chat about her message and why she’s been asking herself the question, what one leaves behind after death.
KALTBLUT: How are you aiming to bring across the feminist message in your music, and your latest track “Live or Die”?
Saicur: For me, feminism in music is more than the “Go girl” slogans that were important ten years ago. Now, to me, it’s more like songs from Disney cartoons — about a woman’s purpose and path. Foremost, it is important that a woman doesn’t dissolve in relationships with a man until she achieves her goals and reveals her purpose. In my music, I’m not manifested as a woman but as a human being. Roughly speaking, my music is unisex, because I don’t see the difference.
With the “Live or Die” song, I choose myself, my success, and my high standard of living, not the relationships that exist today and are gone tomorrow. For me, investing my time and energy in a relationship while I am still nobody is questionable.
KALTBLUT: You’ve taken inspiration from traditional Ukrainian folk music, as well as experimenting around with different, unconventional sounds. How do you approach writing/ recording a track when there are no boundaries?
Saicur: I’m inspired by Ukrainian ethnicity as a person, but as an artist, I haven’t yet written anything with motifs of Ukrainian ethnicity. The ethnicity of the people of the world can be seen in my work. For example, “Live or Die” gives Arabic melodies. But you correctly noticed that I’m inspired, and I don’t sing ethnic music, rather I add a drop of ethnicity to the song to make it tastier.
I came to “no boundaries” not immediately in my process, though. At first, I wrote “correctly”— there is a form, hooks, and essence that need to be conveyed, here are the dynamics, pit, and vocalisation. But what do rules and form have to do with Saicur as an artist?!
As soon as these frames were removed, and I began to experiment, relax, and do what I want — I heard the sound of Saicur for the first time. “Live or Die” is the first track where I let myself go. The guitar that we hear throughout the track is a random sound that I recorded while I was trying to record another, “correct” track. When we further created other tracks from the future electronic album, it turned out that they all have the same form but different sound and meanings.
I love this music because every sound is my mirror, and I like to look at myself through my music.
Because who will give me a guarantee that I will have tomorrow? A rocket will hit me in the face, and farewell — I won’t leave behind me a song or even a memory.
KALTBLUT: The song also has quite a radical meaning, with you asking what one will leave behind when they die. Was that a topic that has always played a role in your life?
Saicur: Before the full-scale invasion, I lived as if I was going to live forever. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, I said goodbye to my family — they went to Berlin, and I stayed in Kyiv with the cat. I had to think: First, I accepted the possibility of my early death. Second, I did not agree to die just like that, leaving nothing behind. Thirdly, I realised what I want to leave behind me in order to die peacefully — my music.
I set the goal of releasing all the music that I had been writing for years but hadn’t released. Yes, it is difficult, and yes, it is so personal, but it is necessary, and I need action today. Because who will give me a guarantee that I will have tomorrow? A rocket will hit me in the face, and farewell — I won’t leave behind me a song or even a memory.
Also, as a person, for the year 2024, I make a wish to lie somewhere on the beach, to hear a seagull’s noises, to get a sunburn on my nose, and to smell the sea. Preferably in Crimea, but we will see.
KALTBLUT: You’re aiming to challenge and discuss gender, as well as body-image-traditions with your work and your persona. How are you aiming to do that?
Saicur: I will try to do this through visuals: music videos and live performances. I’ll start with myself. My body is a tool to show my position. I will show the imperfection of my body, my face. I’m quite beautiful by beauty standards, so I could hide my flaws and show myself as the ideal of female beauty. It would be nice for me to assert myself, but as an artist, I’m responsible for a little girl who will look at me and say, “She’s perfect, I want to be like her”. That scares me. I want this girl to say, “I want to be the way I am”.
For me, all issues of gender and sexual orientation can be summed up in one word: “freedom.” I am Ukrainian, which means that fighting for freedom is sewn into my genetic code.
KALTBLUT: What’s next for you? How is 2024 going to look for you?
Saicur: I have two unreleased albums — the upcoming electronic album, the first track of which “Live or Die” you have already heard, and the rock album “Mercury”. I want to release them in 2024. However, the next track, “For Fun” will be released in December this year. This is a satirical and even more radical track of mine.
Therefore, follow the news on my social networks, I will tell you everything soon!
Also, as a person, for the year 2024, I make a wish to lie somewhere on the beach, to hear a seagull’s noises, to get a sunburn on my nose, and to smell the sea. Preferably in Crimea, but we will see.
Follow @saicur.ang on Instagram to keep up with her upcoming releases and stream “Live or Die” here.
You can revisit all Cultural Connection interviews at #TheCulturalConnection here.
Cover photo by @ph.catherinee
