Natalia Zhizhchenko Ukrainian multi-instrumentalist Date of Birth: 22.03.1985 Country: Ukraine

1. Natalya Zhyzhchenko: A Multifaceted Ukrainian Musician
2. Early Life and Education
3. Musical Beginnings
4. ONUKA and Solo Career
5. Influences and Interests
6. Family and Accolades

Natalya Zhyzhchenko: A Multifaceted Ukrainian Musician

Born into a family of musicians, Natalya Zhyzhchenko's musical journey began at a tender age. Her grandfather was a master of folk instruments, and her grandmother played the bandura. Her parents were pianists and her uncle also played the piano.

Early Life and Education

Natalya grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine, where her mother's work at a music school fostered her musical development. At the age of five, she began touring with musicians and, at nine, became a soloist with the духовой оркестр Украины (Ukrainian National Guard Orchestra). She studied at a gymnasium where she excelled in foreign languages, graduating with honors.

Natalya pursued higher education at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, where she specialized in ethnocultural studies, Hungarian translation, and international cultural cooperation. Her master's thesis examined the impact of the Chernobyl disaster on the culture of the Ukrainian Polesia region.

Musical Beginnings

Natalya's early musical career included performances with the Ukrainian folk band Tomato Jaws from 2002 to 2013 and collaborations with Russian musician Artem Kharchenko on the electronic duo KOOQLA. She showcased her versatility by playing vocals, synthesizers, and the Ukrainian folk instrument sopilka.

ONUKA and Solo Career

In 2013, Natalya launched her solo project as DJ Nata Tomata before joining forces with The Maneken frontman Evgen Filatov to form ONUKA. ONUKA's unique blend of electronic music with traditional Ukrainian instruments gained widespread recognition. Their debut album was released in October 2014 and was praised for its innovative sound.

Influences and Interests

Natalya draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including The xx, Björk, Thom Yorke, Mujuice, Radiohead, and Matthew Herbert. She is also an avid learner and currently studying the theremin.

Family and Accolades

Natalya is married to Evgen Filatov. Their relationship began as a professional collaboration and evolved into a romantic partnership. Natalya has received numerous accolades, including the 2015 Elle Style Award for Musician of the Year in Ukraine.