Masha Kondratenko: At Eurovision, I want to showcase not just strength, but also vulnerability.

About "sharovarshchyna" and meme songs, Tina Karol, Artem Pivovarov, the special meanings of the contest song and Eurovision, competition, and the show "Golos Krayiny" - in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, singer Masha Kondratenko shared her thoughts.

This year, the artist is participating in the National Selection and has already made it to the "top ten" finalists. At the beginning of the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, she "went viral" as a performer of the hits "Vanka-Vstanka" and "Lyuli-Lyuli".

RBC-Ukraine asked Kondratenko about her expectations from the song contest, her friendship with Klavdia Petrivna, and her participation in the talent show where her coaches were Potap and Nastya Kamenskykh.

– Let's start with your contest song. What is it about?

– "No Time to Cry" is a song about normal abnormality, to put it simply. When I was writing it, I really wanted to incorporate our folk motifs. After all, that’s where my creative journey began when I sang Ukrainian folk songs in my childhood. It was important for me to embed our DNA into the song. During the writing process, I had a clear visual picture: a small house with a light shining through, surrounded by complete darkness. Inside lives a family that seems to be doing well at first glance. Someone is busy with their own tasks, there’s a child playing, but outside there is darkness.

This serves as a parallel to the state of every Ukrainian right now. I wanted everyone to feel this. When we wake up in the morning to the sounds of shelling and then go to work or meetings - as if everything is normal, but we carry a heavy burden that prevents us from living a full and normal life. Yet, the song carries a message that light conquers darkness. The sound emphasizes the wave of struggle.

– How did this song come about? Did you write it specifically for the National Selection?

– I wrote it for the National Selection. It turned out that I had released an album at that time, and this song helped me reset everything. My sound producer Roma and I had several attempts, about 3 or 4 demos, but none of them satisfied me. We were searching for direction, and some versions were more dynamic and cheerful. But I realized that wasn't what I wanted to bring to the National Selection.

This song is exactly what I want to use to represent our country. I didn't want to write something outside the context of war. Because, in my opinion, Eurovision has long surpassed the boundaries of a song contest; everyone conveys their messages, their states, their views. It was very important for me to write a song that reflects what is happening in Ukraine, but with hope for the better.

– Weren't you afraid that fans might not respond as enthusiastically to such a deep track compared to something more, let’s say, cheerful or upbeat?

– To be honest, I didn’t think about it. I knew that everyone expected something fun from Masha Kondratenko, something in the style of "Vanka-Vstanka", "Lyuli-Lyuli", and others. But subconsciously, I wanted to surprise people a bit and show another side of Masha, a different version of who she can be. I am not limited to meme songs.

There is another spectrum of my emotions, musical knowledge, and skills. I wanted to showcase a different side, to reveal that Masha whose creative path began with other songs. So I wasn’t worried; I understood that there might be comments. Some still say now: "If only you had gone with 'Vanka-Vstanka', you would definitely have won." But I don’t regret at all that I made this song. I know it resonates with many.

– Why did you decide to participate in the National Selection this year?

– Because I think I wasn’t ready before. I couldn’t find what I wanted to convey, who I wanted to be. Since 2022, I could have applied, but I didn’t because I realized I needed a little more time to accumulate that energy and prepare.

Now I feel more hardened; I have gone through all the hate, the whole journey from self-hatred to acceptance of everything that is happening to me. And I just understood that I have something to say on the Eurovision stage, which is why I decided to participate this year.

I want to represent our country. I entered not just to take part. I have a clear goal - to win the National Selection and represent our country at Eurovision.
Masha Kondratenko at the National Selection (photo provided by the singer)

– If you win the National Selection, what will be your message for Eurovision?

– I want to convey not only strength but also vulnerability at Eurovision. Remind the world that we have war in our country. Share that we sometimes struggle. Because in all the news, Ukrainians are portrayed as a strong nation that has been fighting a neighboring quasi-state for many years. But I want to show that it’s not always easy for us, that we are not always strong. I want to sincerely share our tragedy. And, of course, showcase Ukrainian culture. Despite everything happening to us, we continue to create, we continue to support our people through art, and we do not stand still.

– Have you listened to the songs of other participants? Which tracks did you like?

– To be honest, all the finalists seem interesting to me. My friends MOLODI, for whom the contest song is also a very personal story. And you can feel it! Vlad Sherif's song evokes emotion. The track KRYLATA is wonderful. And the composition Ziferblat - from the group we work with in the same music company GNS (geisha ninja samurai). I really like their chorus. In short, they are all worthy, but everything will be decided during the live performances.

– If not you, who do you think should win?

– This is a difficult question for me. Because when I have competition, it kind of overwhelms me. Honestly, it’s really hard for me right now. Given that some of the participants in this selection are my friends, my good acquaintances. And it’s hard for me to say who should win. Everything will become clear when the live performances take place on February 8. Then we will all understand who is ready to represent our country both morally and with their vocal and artistic abilities.

Masha Kondratenko admitted whether she fears competition in the National Selection (photo provided by the singer)

– You mentioned competition. Is this an extra source of stress for you or is it motivation?

– Both. You exhaust yourself so much with this competition when you read all the comments, watch all the reviews... And this is stress, it’s really a huge stress. Because I spent all my childhood at competitions, and now it feels like I’ve been thrown back to the past when there were participants you already know, who are strong. And it’s not that you are afraid to compete with them, but you know it will be a tough contest. And now it works for me as both motivation and stress.

But I try to balance and focus on myself. Because stress and anxiety can ruin a live performance very badly. So I’m trying to fight it now.

– This year, there is active discussion about Tina Karol becoming a music producer for the first time. Many are curious about how she communicates and works with the finalists. How would you describe this experience so far?

– Tina is very attentive; she remembers everything. I was very surprised when we attended her solo concert, and she asked everyone about their songs, remembering all the edits. Considering she has many concerts and shoots going on at the same time. But she remembered everything clearly. She gave me great advice on how to refine the song.

When we had a live audition, Tina created the coziest atmosphere possible. My anxiety gradually faded away. She relaxed everyone, asked how they were doing. Tina is very caring and attentive to the participants. So I’m glad that we have her as a music producer this year.
Masha Kondratenko shared how Tina Karol impressed her (photo provided by the singer)

– Did she give you any feedback on the song?

– Yes, but they were more suggestions, I think. Following her advice, we added a children’s choir to the choruses. And that was just a brilliant decision; the song took on new colors. I’m glad that my song now features children singing as well.

– Let’s talk about the past. In 2012, you participated in "Golos. Diti", where Karol was a judge. Why did you choose to go with Oleg Skrypka, and what did this contest give you back then?