Entering the world of Irina Shavidka, you will be greeted by melodious, catchy and emotional music. Buy it and you won't be disappointed.
Ukrainian producer, DJ and concert producer known as 8Kays, created his melodic house and techno project in 2014. Released on the Afterlife label, the track "Morning After the Rave" lit up dance floors around the world, turning melodic techno. map He is one of Afterlife's top bookers, which is a notable mention as the brand created by Tale of Us has an impressive roster of artists and hosts from around the world.
The sound engineer has released albums and remixes on major labels such as Bedrock Records, Renaissance Records, Bluefield Music, Radicon, Anjunabeats and Oddity Records. It has received critical acclaim at clubs and festivals around the world including Tomorrowland, Ofweek, Electric Daisy Carnival, Printworks, Watergate, De Mercatkantine and SOHO. The artist is known for his performances and created music that reflects his artistic spirit, full of depth and authenticity.
Today, November 17, Shavidka once again surprised the audience with the release of the album "Taranga" on the Bedrock Records label.
The single takes audiophiles on a journey through powerful bass, old-school acid sounds, intense grooves, playful synths, dramatic waves and floral drops. Indeed, "Waves" proves to be a masterfully crafted track that showcases Shavidka's production skills and his continued growth as an artist.
The DJ said that releasing "Waves" on John Digweed's iconic Bedrock Records label was a big achievement for him "because it was my childhood dream." He also released a remix of Quiver's "Hold", which was released shortly before the Russian-Ukrainian war.
"Bedrock is a really legendary label, and I heard a lot of John Digweed and John Digweed when I was in college," he says. "So for me, it's a big part of my story... and I'm honored to be a part of this version."
The trendsetter says he first discovered dance music through The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Clubheads and Fatboy Slim and credits many people, including artists, with helping him discover the scene. Shavidka's early love was trance music, a genre he made famous with his first musical project, IRA. He then turned to underground voices, which prompted him to end the IRA and become 8Kays. He says his taste for melodic techno is inspired by the rhythms he hears in music, including melodies, soulful melodies, trance, progressive music, minimalist sounds, percussive grooves and techno arrangements.
This creator was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine. He was directly affected by the war with Russia. In March 2022, the Russian invasion of his country forced him to stay in Berlin. During this time he released a song called "Subway to Berlin". The single begins with throbbing bass and sizzling synths before transitioning into organic instruments, intense beats and haunting vocals. Soft vocals then enter, followed by swirling synths, reverb and melancholic melodies. The songs are touching, showing the power of the movement and the grief that forced Shavidka to leave her hometown.
Voter says the war between Russia and Ukraine is one of the biggest obstacles in his life.
"I think [the challenge] for many Ukrainians now is to survive this stupid war," he says. "All of Ukraine is trying in every possible way to help each other and survive. I think this is a big challenge not only for me but for the whole country.
In addition, Chvidka called on the whole world to help Ukraine in this difficult time.
"I think all Ukrainians are asking the whole world not to lose focus and not to pay attention to what is happening in Ukraine," he said. “I think we're asking for help and support because we need it. We are a small country and we need the help of the whole world to finally survive and win this brutal war. So we basically need help, and we still need people who will give information about the situation in Ukraine.
During the live broadcast it was added that there are many funds that people can donate to help Ukraine. If people "take the time to dig," he says, they can find funds that will help civilians, military personnel, children, animals, people still living in Ukraine and refugees. Funders recommended by Forbes include the Ukrainian Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, Voices of Children, Humanity and Inclusion, USA for UNHCR and the Polish Red Cross.
Just six months after moving to Kharkov, Shavidka was invited by local group Vasant Music to record a new video live at the Kharkov Philharmonic. He filmed it on January 24, 2022 without people. He didn't know that Russia would invade Ukraine within a month. The performance is impressive and sonically impressive. Walking across the bridge reminds me of what life was like before the war.
Before pursuing a full-time music career, Shavidka was a lawyer and practiced civil law. He says that society and his parents expected him to have a decent and normal job. He studied law at university and began his career after graduation. But, he said, "music was always with me." The producer divides his time between being in the office during the day, going to nightclubs and free time in the studio. "I took a risk, but I think I made the right decision," he says of pursuing music full-time. However, he says that the transition from lawyer to professional DJ was one of his biggest challenges, calling it a "difficult transition".
Looking back at the beginning of his career, the advice he would have given his younger self was to never give up. Undoubtedly, Shavidka has not given up on his brilliant career so far. Starting his career as a trance producer and evolving into a house and techno sound creator, he has grown as an artist today and fulfilled his dreams by releasing music on Bedrock Records. He certainly has an impressive resume and will no doubt continue to impress.
