ODYSSAY is a Ukrainian electronic music artist and live performer working within the genres of Melodic Techno and Progressive House. Rejecting the traditional DJ format, he performs exclusively live, constructing real-time sonic landscapes using a complex hardware setup of analogue synthesisers combined with live vocals. His visual presentation features signature all-white attire, serving as a deliberate contrast to the traditionally dark aesthetic of the techno underground. We had a brief chat with him about his music, his upcoming releases and more!

Hi ODYSSAY! Welcome to EDM Tunes. Your new record “Consent” has a huge emotional payoff, combining melodic techno energy with an epic choral piece. What was the original creative vision for the track, and how did it evolve during production?

Hi everyone, thanks for the opportunity to talk ahead of the release. The original idea for “Consent” was to combine two contrasting worlds. A strong, driving melodic techno energy and an emotional, cinematic vocal element that feels epic and open. From the beginning that idea stayed the same. It didn’t really change during production. What changed were the details and the emotional depth, but the core stayed the same.

You’ve said the choir wasn’t part of the initial composition. Can you tell us more about the moment during the ODA Symphony rehearsals when you realised it needed to become a central element of the final version?

During the preparation for our ODA Symphony show, we invited an orchestra and a choir. At first it was only orchestral arrangements, but then we decided to add choral parts as well. We started experimenting with new harmonies and vocal layers. It worked much better than expected. The choir added a new emotional layer and made the track feel much bigger. After the rehearsals it became clear that this version with the choir should be the final one of “Consent”.

How do you approach creating music that works in many different settings while maintaining emotional depth?

It is always a challenge to balance emotional depth with strong dance energy. For me everything starts from inside. Music is not just a technical process, it comes from the artist’s inner state. I always try to put emotion into my tracks. It feels like a natural part of my style. At the same time I want movement and energy that works on the dance floor. So it becomes a contrast between cinematic emotional moments and energetic drops. That contrast is the core of my sound.

A key aspect of “Consent” is its balance between tension and release. When you’re producing, what techniques do you use to build anticipation and create those powerful emotional climaxes?

Tension and release is essential in every track. Music should feel like a journey. Transitions can be fast or slow, but they always create emotion and expectation. It can be a long build-up before a drop or a sudden shift from a breakdown into full energy. The contrast between sections creates impact. Especially when there is no kick or bass, that is where the emotion becomes strongest. I use synth movement, filters and modulation to build anticipation and emotional flow.

Unlike many electronic artists, you perform exclusively live rather than DJing. How does creating music for a live hardware-based performance influence the way you write and arrange your tracks?

Live performance does not really change my production process directly. For me these are two different things. Writing music and performing live. The only connection is that I sometimes think about how I could perform certain elements on stage. For example how I will open or control a synth or a lead sound during a show. But overall the writing process stays independent from live performance.

Your setup combines analogue synthesisers with live vocals. What does analogue equipment bring to your sound that you feel is difficult to achieve entirely in the digital realm?

Every live artist builds their setup based on personal taste. What live performance brings is direct control over sound in real time. That is what makes it different from a DJ set. The ability to shape sound live is what creates the feeling of something real happening on stage.

Your all-white visual identity stands out in a genre often associated with darker aesthetics. What message or feeling are you aiming to communicate through that visual contrast?

My visual identity is the opposite of the genre I work in. But contrast is a big part of my music and my vision. I try to bring purity, light and positive energy into what I do. I want to speak to the light side of people. We all have different sides, and I choose to focus on the light. So the visual style comes from emotional and sonic purity. I also try to keep my own state as clean and open as possible, because it affects the music and the shows.

You became the first Ukrainian electronic artist to sell out Kyiv’s Palace of Sports, performing to more than 7,000 people under wartime conditions. Looking back, what emotions do you associate with that night, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

These kinds of moments stay with you for life. That night had a very deep impact because it was something we had never done before. It was the first event from our ODA label, and we chose the Palace of Sports in Kyiv. We wanted to do everything at the highest level possible and we pushed everything to the limit. It became one of the biggest shows in Ukraine during the full scale war.

After a very difficult winter, people needed a moment to disconnect from everything happening around them. The preparation was very hard. Generators, limited resources, many challenges, but we still made it happen. It was only possible because of a strong team effort. I am really proud of everyone involved. I don’t say this often, but I am truly proud of what we achieved.

Ukrainian electronic music has gained increasing international attention in recent years. How do you see your role in representing the country’s creative scene on the global stage?

It is inspiring to see many Ukrainian artists becoming headliners on the global scene. I am proud of our talent and I look up to many of them. For me it feels natural to grow internationally and play at festivals outside Ukraine. I see myself as a representative of my country. I live in Kyiv and I understand the culture and values I carry from here.

When I play abroad, I see both Ukrainian people and new listeners discovering my music. It is powerful to see that emotional reaction, no matter where people are from. That connection is the most important thing for me.

With “Consent” continuing your journey of blending underground club culture with large-scale live performance, where do you see ODYSSAY heading next? Are there any new musical or creative boundaries you’re eager to explore?

As an artist I always try to leave space for freedom and exploration. Sometimes it means going outside your usual sound and trying something new. What matters is not repeating yourself. At the same time you should not lose your core sound. For me it is about balance. Having identity but staying open. ODYSSAY is moving forward.

Sometimes it can be more mainstream, sometimes more experimental. I allow both directions because my format is a live electronic concert, not a DJ set. That is where the next stage of ODYSSAY is coming from.