MOLODI
Year of foundation – 2020
City – Mariupol (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian, English, Polish
Genre – alternative pop, electronica
Composition:
- Ivan Stepanishchev (drums);
- Kyrylo Rogovy (vocals, guitar).
Former participants: Nikita Leontiev.
Band history
MOLODI (Young People) is a Ukrainian alternative pop band, which is called the new name of the domestic music scene. The Molodi band was created in 2020. The members of the band then were Ivan Stepanishchev (musician, drummer, arranger and music producer), Kyrylo Rogovyi (singer and music producer) and Mykyta Leontiev. The guys met while studying at the electromechanical technical school. And since then, friendship has grown into creative cooperation. At the time of the band's creation, Stepanishchev and Leontiev were already playing in the band. And Rogovyi joined the band at the New Year's concert.
The musicians began their journey to fame and recognition with street performances in Mariupol. As the members themselves admit, they manage to easily combine personal and professional relationships. They resolve all professional issues without conflicts, with respect and mutual understanding.
After two years of performing outdoors, the musicians moved to Kyiv, where they presented their debut track. At that time, Nikita Leontiev left the team due to differences in views on creativity.
Origin of the band name
The name MOLODI was coined by a friend of the band members, Mykyta Enleo. At that time, the founders of the band were only 19 years old. According to Ivan and Kyrylo, the name of the band fully reflects the spirit of creativity: not only youth in age, but also in feelings, attitude to life and music. The word "Molodi" became a symbol of energy, readiness to experiment with style and sound. The musicians believe that even today, despite the changes, the name remains organic. After all, it's not about numbers, but about the inner state.
Creative path
After the full-scale invasion of Russia began, the musicians moved to Lviv. It was there that the first orders for the creation of music appeared. Later, returning to Kyiv, the artists met Vitaly Ostrovskiy and began working with the singer and other stars as authors and producers. This stage was a turning point. A few months later, MOLODI received an invitation to join the Makko Music label and decided to take advantage of this opportunity.
MOLODI's music style is alternative pop music, generously seasoned with electronic elements. In the band, Vanya, as a drummer, is responsible for the rhythm. And Kyrylo performs vocal parts and from time to time picks up the guitar. So globally, the guys write all the music together, without involving other people. And the process of creating video clips, organizing work in the studio, promoting tracks, and creating costumes is taken on by the label.
After releasing 13 singles, the sound of the MOLODI band has become noticeably deeper and more technically sophisticated. The band has grown both musically and professionally. However, according to Vanya and Kirill, despite these changes, the main idea has remained the same. The concept of creativity, as before, is sincerity, openness to new forms and the daily search for an emotional connection with fans. The young people are convinced: music should resonate, touch the heart. It is this connection with fans that the artists try to achieve in each track.
Participation in the National Selection for Eurovision 2025
December 20, 2024 was a landmark day for the MOLODI team. The band became a finalist in the national selection for Eurovision 2025 with the original composition my sea, taking second place. The song was born from a personal story, from pain for their native, temporarily occupied Mariupol. In the composition, the artists showed that home can be not only a physical space, but also an internal state. This is what gives strength even in dark times. The musicians searched for the right words for a long time. It all started with one line. An entire song organically grew from it - intuitive, sincere, special.
Social activity
The members of the MOLODI band openly admit that the musical landscape has changed radically over the past decade. If artists used to depend on television and radio, today TikTok has become the main channel of interaction with the audience. The artists assume that in another ten years the situation will undergo transformations again. But for now, they strive to use the available tools as effectively as possible.
At first, the guys were a bit skeptical about TikTok. But later they realized that by ignoring it, they were missing out on a lot of opportunities. Today, the youth consider TikTok to be one of the most powerful and accessible tools for promoting their own music and shaping the image of an artist or band. It is here that musicians test demo versions of new tracks before their official release. In addition, they monitor the audience's reaction and find new fans, who are then transferred to streaming platforms.
During Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the MOLODI band actively participates in important public initiatives. In particular, it participates in charity concerts-auctions designed to raise funds for things needed at the front.
The most famous hits:
- "Sun";
- "I will not forget";
- "Drops";
- "I am not me";
- Help me;
- my sea and others.
Interesting facts about the band:
- MOLODI write songs for many stars of the Ukrainian scene. Among them are Michelle Andrade, Max Barskykh, Ostrovskyi, Love, Mary;
- Before creating the Molodi group, Ivan played in a band with Enleo and also worked as a drum teacher;
- Among the band members' favorite artists are Kadnay, Phil It, Disclosure, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, James Blake, Frank Ocean and others;
- When asked what goal Kyrylo and Ivan set for themselves, the musicians answer simply: "we want to become tops."
