Artem Pivovarov is a Ukrainian artist, sound producer, musician with a non-standard and modern point of view, one of the trendsetters in music industry. A shining example of the success a self-taught individual from a simple family can achieve, genuinely in love with music. He gained fame with chart-topping hits like “Deja vu,” “Moya Nich,” “Rendezvous,” and others. Artem is the author of the cultural project “Your verses, my notes”, in which he gives new breath to the legacy of Ukrainian literature, setting famous poets’ verses to music.
After a year and a half of war, Artem Pivovarov became the number one star in Ukraine. An exclusive interview with the star for Pro Ukraine.
Artem, you staunchly stand by your position on the war in Ukraine and consistently speak about it at your concerts. Recently, you had a conflict over this matter, even offering to refund tickets for those who don’t want to hear about the crimes of the Russian army. Not many artists are willing to take such a stand, usually fearing the loss of their fans, but not you. How do you manage your relationship with such fans?
At my concerts, I not only share my music, promote culture, and spread good vibes but also draw attention to the events in Ukraine. Some may not like it, but it’s important for me to talk about it. As artists, we are the mouthpieces of our country and must convey important messages to the world.
However, you have very touching relationships with your fans. You often invite children onto the stage, singing together. How do you manage to maintain this balance?
At our concerts, there’s always an exchange of energy: we share ours from the stage and receive the feedback from the audience. This process unites us and allows everyone in the hall to release emotions and recharge. Fans of my work are like a large spontaneous family with whom I actively interact at concerts and on my social media pages. This connection is important to me.
You organize many charity concerts both in Ukraine and abroad. You redirect a significant amount of your earnings to support the army. What is the most valuable item you have purchased and sent to the front lines?
After the full-scale invasion began, we realized that we needed to be useful for our country. So, we started volunteering, visiting our soldiers, organizing concerts, each of which is now in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Volunteer work requires not only funds, which we earn and allocate for assistance but also a lot of time, effort, and direct attention. Speaking with the military, you realize how much they need every day. We have delivered dozens of cars, drones, and many other necessary items, actively engaging in their search and purchase. We don’t ask for donations, we don’t open fundraisers, and we take funds directly from our concerts. Therefore, every ticket purchased by the audience is crucial.
You are referred to as the number one artist in Ukraine. Critics believe that not only talent but also character and the ability to act in extraordinary situations have elevated you to the top of the Ukrainian music scene. In your opinion, what qualities of yours have helped you in this?
I’ve wanted to pursue music since childhood. When I was little, I even played a guitar without strings. Everyone told me that I wouldn’t amount to anything, but the lack of support and any obstacles didn’t stop me on the path to my goal. It’s my character, determination, perseverance, and continuous hard work that have propelled me forward. I’m constantly moving ahead and have no plans to stop at what I’ve achieved!
Many of our stars fell silent and were paralyzed with the onset of the war – some stopped writing altogether, many left or disappeared from the radar. However, you, on the contrary, became overly active. What gives you the strength?
Certainly, it’s emotionally challenging for all of us right now. I transform those emotions into creativity, so I’ve been writing a lot. Since 2022, I’ve released 15 new works with music videos and the album “Your Verses, My Notes”, we’ve also created a special concert programme with an orchestra and choir, which gathered 2 full houses in Kyiv. After the start of the full-scale war, we were the first to hit the road with concerts across Ukraine. In these two years, we’ve toured the world with major charity events and have no plans to stop! Soon, for instance, we’ll have a concert at a large arena in Warsaw, and on April 20th, we’ll showcase a new unique show at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv.
Your project “Your Verses, My Notes” has garnered over 100 million views. It features 13 duets that literally bring together Ukrainian stars from different generations. Can you share how the work on this project takes place? How do you choose artists for a duet?
I choose the material intuitively, usually coming up with melodies quickly and immediately knowing with whom I’d like to create a musical version of a particular poem. There are already 14 collaborations, among which the most extensive to date is “Valtorna,” recorded together with the members of the PIVOVAROV team on “The Voice of the Country.”
Overall, I’m very pleased that the “Your Verses, My Notes” project has been well-received by people, as it helps promote Ukrainian culture globally, which is one of my important missions.
Do you plan to record joint duets with foreign artists?
As I mentioned earlier, I’m always moving forward, so I have many ideas and creative plans, including collaborations with foreign artists. By the way, recently at a concert in Paris, we performed the song “Oi na Hori” together with the well-known French DJ and sound producer French Fuse. It turned out to be a very interesting collaboration, and the video is already on my YouTube channel – be sure to check it out!
The interview was conducted by Michele Armand.
