Sidus Atrum is a project by the Ukrainian musician Yuliia Lykhotvor who has released a new record “Spiral of Life” earlier this year. We had a chat with Yuliia and had the pleasure to learn from her about her band, her projects, and some of her views and opinions.
Interview
Hello, Yuliia. It’s really wonderful to talk with you. How are you doing during these hard times?
Hi Mirk. I’m only as good as I can be away from home and my family in times of war.
Hope this nightmare will be over soon. You have released your new record “Spiral of Life” recently. How would you describe your music to our readers who are yet to check your album out yet?
My music is a way to share my thoughts, emotions and experience with the listener. For this purpose, I can use elements of different metal genres such as black, death and doom, sometimes post-black.
Brilliant. How are you feeling about the reaction your album received from your fans?
I’m glad my album was well received by fans. It means I could convey my ideas well, they touched people.
In order to get to know you better, and to have some fun, also because I’m a nerd, how about we play a nerdy game? I will set up some alternative universes and give you a scenario and a question about it. Are you ready?
Yes, let’s try. Sometimes I’m also a nerd.
In a universe where you find yourself the queen of a kingdom, what would be the first legislation you’d make?
Death penalty for corruption and theft of public money.
In a universe where you can choose a superpower to possess, would you rather have the ability to teleport from one place to another, or the ability to read minds?
It will be the ability to teleport. I often wish to possess it in my real life. As for the reading minds, I think I can go mad from that.
In a universe where you’re the statue of liberty, what object would you be holding instead of a torch?
It would be something that symbolizes freedom of choice.
How rich would you be considered in a universe where you pay for things you purchase by telling jokes?
Perhaps I will have some food and shelter. But if black humor works then things would be better.
In a universe where the sense of taste and sense of hearing got somehow mixed up in the human body, what food would you imagine Sidus Atrum would taste like?
Sidus Atrum will taste like some Asian food where opposite tastes are mixed: spicy, sweet and salty.
In a universe where time travel is possible, what ancient times would you like to visit and see?
I’d like to visit Ancient Egypt and see how they built the pyramids.
Thank you for playing along, Yuliia! Hope you enjoyed this!
How has the current war in your country influenced you and other musicians you know?
Thank you for the game! It had some fun. War has influenced many musicians in Ukraine. Some of them have no ideas and can’t do anything because of being stressed while many have inspiration and try to record new songs to support our people, bring up the fighting spirit and share our reality with the world. I started recording my third album dedicated to this war but it’s rather hard to do being far from my studio, without the instruments, so it seems that soon Sidus Atrum may become a band with one more member.
Good luck with your new project then! Have you ever faced any kind of sexism in your professional or personal life? How would you deal with sexist behaviour and what advice would you give young people around the world who face any kind of discrimination?
Yes, sometimes I’ve faced sexism in my professional and personal life. I ignored these people and kept going towards my goal. And that’s my advice: don’t let anyone stop you from going your own way and degrading your dignity. Each person is unique and chooses his own path, the prejudices of society should not interfere with it.
Thank you for the interview, Yuliia. Hope our next one will be in more peaceful times. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for cool extraordinary questions. I wish you all peace, health and the ability to be together with your beloved ones. Very often we underestimate simple happiness until we lose it. Hope our next interview will be in more peaceful and cheerful times.
