Cepasa
Real name – Pavlo Volodymyrovych Lenchenko
Date of birth – May 11, 1986
City – Kyiv (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian, English
Genre – electronic music
Lineup:
- Pavlo Lenchenko (keyboards, vocals, music production, lyrics);
- Olexandr Davydenko (guitar, effects);
- Anton Migunov (bass).
On the way to his own project
Cepasa (real name – Pavlo Lenchenko) is a Ukrainian musician, vocalist and sound producer from Kyiv. The star of the modern electronic scene could have chosen a completely different path for himself – architecture or programming. The first one didn't work out, but Lenchenko became a student at Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Although he later devoted himself to music.
Pavel's debut in creativity is associated with the electronic band Tomato Jaws, which for a while became a real discovery for the Ukrainian audience. In 2013, the group, which gained wide recognition and popularity among fans of high-quality electronic sound, broke up. And each member went his own way. In particular, Nata Zhyzhchenko, who was part of the band, later headed the successful ONUKA project.
Pavel also used the experience gained in Tomato Jaws. The musician formed his own sound, which he embodied in his solo project Cepasa.
Creative path
The Ukrainian public first learned about Cepasa in 2012, when the debut album Doing Right was released on the Moon Records label. The sound of the record was dominated by slow house with expressive bass lines, which immediately set it apart from other releases. Soon the first video clip for the track Other Place appeared.
Cepasa's concert history began in 2013 with a performance at the Maly Opera on Lukyanivka, where Pavlo played as an opening act for the French electronic trio Télépopmusik. In the fall of the same year, Lenchenko's new composition Delicious was heard for the first time during the fashion show of fashion designer Irina Krasilnikova. After that, the artist posted the track online for free access by fans.
In September 2014, Cepasa warmed up the audience before the concert of the duet Darkside. For the Ukrainian artist, this was another step towards establishing himself on the big stage. Soon the release of the new single But You Don't Know took place on the author's label Cepasa Music. It includes two versions of the track – the original and the instrumental.
In October of the same year, Pavlo presents his music internationally. The artist plays live at the Waves Bratislava festival.
Style and creative development
Cepasa's style is instantly recognizable to true fans. As soon as the first notes are heard, the body begins to move to the rhythm of smooth, magnetic music. Over the years of his work, Pavlo has become one of the most famous electronic artists in Ukraine and has gained popularity abroad. The musician's tracks have been broadcast on BBC Radio 1. And on stage, the artist has shared space with such stars as the Icelandic band GusGus, the American Nicholas Jaar and the Swede JJ Johansson.
As a producer, Cepasa has worked with the British musician Keeno and the Ukrainian singer Jamala. In addition to music releases, he created soundtracks for movies, in particular for the dramatic film "Kings of Rap".
Pavel approaches each track with maximum perfectionism. He can work on one song for weeks to achieve the perfect sound. The author believes that electronic music has no boundaries and will always find its listener.
Once the artist shared an interesting fact: in addition to Kyiv, Cepasa's music is most often listened to in Berlin and London. Although the artist has not yet given concerts there. Pavlo is convinced: if the listener is close to the philosophy of your work, he will find it even without advertising, on the other side of the world.
Studio albums:
- Doing Right (2012);
- Nove (2014);
- Noises (2016);
- Dark Beauty (2018);
- Niby Chaiky (2022);
- "Heart" (2025).
The album "Heart" became special for Cepasa and fans of the project. This is the second release during a full-scale war. But work on the album began earlier. Pavlo Lenchenko believes that his music sounds especially relevant right now. It is about hope. According to the musician, war makes people close in on themselves, become tougher. And Cepasa's compositions allow you to remember the light and feel emotions, at least for a moment. And the album "Heart" is designed to ease the condition of those who are having the hardest time right now.
Singles of the project:
- But You Don't Know;
- "100 Wishes";
- Fever;
- "Where are you now";
- "Only in Kyiv".
Interesting facts about the artist:
- one of the most unusual concerts of Cepasa was a live performance in a library. Also, in addition to festivals and clubs, the musician performed in nature - by the sea, river, in the mountains;
- it would be interesting for the musician to give a concert on a submarine;
- Pavel's hobbies are tennis and football;
- Lenchenko has a great sense of humor, which makes cooperation with the musician especially pleasant and easy.
