Oleksandra Zaritska of the epic pop group KAZKA came to the United States alone – her bandmates Dmytro Mazuriak and Mykyta Budash having been drafted into mandatory military service as the Russian Military’s deadly and destructive invasion of Ukraine continues.
KAZKA, who broke globally with the 2018 single “Plakala,” had been scheduled to perform at South by Southwest 2020 before it was canceled due to the growing global pandemic. Booked as an official showcaser once again, but now with her two collaborators unable to make the trip, Zaritska made the trip not knowing exactly how she’d be able to play.
A scheduled performance at SXSW’s International Day Stage yesterday at 3pm, that the Chronicle attended, turned up empty due to travel delays, but even before that a plan was formulating amongst local musicians and industry workers to create a special showcase for Zaritska.
Now it’s been announced that her Saturday night showcase at Speakeasy (412 Congress) has become an Austin Stands With Ukraine event where Zaritska will play with Austin Music Hall of Famer Charlie Sexton as a special guest and ATX headlining musical force Jackie Venson will also perform, along with garage duo the Ghost Wolves and soul-rock breakout Chief Cleopatra. Austin musicians Bryan Ray (guitar), Ryan Hagler (bass), and Charlie Harper (drums) are serving as Zaritska’s backing band. The showcase, initially spurred by Texas Monthly’s Dan Solomon, will also feature Ukrainian guest musicians to be announced.
“Seeing all the people donating their time and effort behind the scenes to make this happen has been really amazing to witness,” Jackie Venson said about the event, also receiving support from School of Rock and UT’s Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. “I’m extra proud of my city and scene today.”
Meanwhile, Zaritska offered a message about the situation as it relates to her home country: “I really want the whole world to hear the voice of Ukraine and understand: this is a cynical war against a peaceful nation.”
This article appears in Guide to SXSW 2022.