Since taking fifth place at Eurovision, Ukrainian electro-folk band Go_A has remained in the top of Google searches this year. Following the cancellation of the 2020 contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band represented their country in 2021 and became the first participant in the history of Eurovision to present a song entirely in Ukrainian with “Shum.” The song brought Go_A fifth to the Eurovision final, and ever since, “Shum” has topped the Spotify charts and its accompanying video has amassed millions of views.
“I am often recognized on the street… every time I am surprised at such surprises and I can’t get used to it in any way,” says the group’s lead singer, Ekaterina Pavlenko, about their rapid rise to stardom since Eurovision. But while Go_A’s success may have seemed sudden, it is built on years of hard work spent honing their incredible energy and unique sound since 2012. Go_A’s story began when producer Taras Shevchenko met singer Kateryna Pavlenko, creating a Ukrainian folklore and electronic music sound that combined energy and emotion.
The name “Go_A” means “return to the roots,” by combining the English word “Go” with the Greek letter “Alpha,” symbolizing the beginning of everything. And their music centers around just that: the beginning, retelling traditional Ukrainian stories that have been passed down through generations. The group’s singer Kateryna even uses the ancient Eastern European folklore technique of white voice, which is based on an open throat and free volume.
Keep up with Go_A by following them on Instagram and Facebook.
