Hear Ukrainian Musicians on How War Is Threatening a Thriving Scene

The rising Ukrainian hip-hop act Fo Sho wanted to talk about the music scene in their country, and how Russia’s invasion has instantly put its future in doubt — but they just couldn’t, because they were in an area that was “under attack,” their manager told IndieLand. Other musicians, including the band Boombox, have put down their instruments and taken up arms against the Russian invasion.

The new episode of IndieLand Music Now explains why Ukraine’s music scene boomed like never before after the establishment of democracy in 2014 — and how it’s under unimaginable threat now, with Ukrainian musicians weighing in on the crisis. “We need to pray for the children,” DJ Olga Korolova tells IndieLand’s David Browne.

To hear the whole episode, press play above, or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

Download and subscribe to our weekly podcast, IndieLand Music Now, hosted by Brian Hiatt, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts), and check out three years’ worth of episodes in the archive, including in-depth, career-spanning interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Halsey, Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, the National, Ice Cube, Robert Plant, Dua Lipa, Questlove, Killer Mike, Julian Casablancas, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Marr, Scott Weiland, Liam Gallagher, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Donald Fagen, Phil Collins, Justin Townes Earle, Stephen Malkmus, Sebastian Bach, Tom Petty, Eddie Van Halen, Kelly Clarkson, Pete Townshend, Bob Seger, the Zombies, Gary Clark Jr., and many others — plus dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with IndieLand’s critics and reporters. Tune in every Friday at 1 p.m. ET to hear IndieLand Music Now broadcast on SiriusXM’s Volume, channel 106.