Ivasyuk, Censorship, and “Smerichka”: A UNZIP Podcast Episode

How did the show business industry operate in the USSR? To what extent were tours, trips abroad, and repertoires controlled? Were there unspoken rules that everyone knew about but no one talked about? In the latest episode of the UNZIP podcast, Albert Tsukrenko interviews composer Oleksandr Zlotnik about the inner workings of Ukrainian Soviet pop music in the 1970s–1990s, the generation of Ivasyuk and Yaremchuk, and how the legacy of that era is perceived today.

Song selection for this issue:

1. Alla Kudlay, “White Lilies,” 1990.
2. VIA “Smerichka” / Nazariy Yaremchuk, “O Grove, Green Grove,” 1982.
3. “Komfort” Ensemble, “The Surf,” 1987.
4. Vitaliy Bilonozhko, “Breath of My Native Land,” 1988.
5. Iryna Shvedova, “Stained-Glass Window,” 1988.
6. Valentina Tolkunova, “Where Did You Get Those Blue Eyes?”, 1979.
7. Rock band “Status,” “Minuet,” 1989.
8. Marenych Trio, “Red Poppies,” 1979.

Listen to the podcast recording here

UNZIP — a podcast that dives into the archives of Ukrainian music. You’ll hear host Albert Tsukrenko and his guests on the UnZip podcast search for answers to questions about our musical identity. And best of all, they’ll surprise you with songs found in the archives of Ukrainian Radio.