maybe in another life? Q+A with Rippedd
Rippedd is a shoegaze project based in Kyiv, Ukraine. With a ten-song album full of emotion and thoughtful noise that draws from the revered giants of shoegaze and experimental punk rock, Rippedd clearly has a knack for it all. Young, bright and at the center of the shoegaze scene that currently exists in Ukraine, I think we can expect even greater things to come from Rippedd and associates.
The song “i’m here” from Rippedd’s debut album maybe in another life? will find its way into episode 9 of _____ mood. The songs of maybe in another life? go from calm to loud calm and back again. The album was released in July 2023 and if you haven’t heard it already I think you’ll want to if you follow along with blank mood.
I came to this album via the recommendation of my partner, who discovered the album via AOTY. I have listened to it many times while walking around my neighborhood. I always end up wondering about calm and tenderness that come through creative outputs. To offer those things to other people, and have them well received, is a special thing in my opinion. I wonder about this even more in this case where the artist is in a place stricken by war. I decided to get in touch and ask some questions. Rippedd graciously answered them and here is our exchange.
Where are you from and what is the shoegaze (or music) scene like there?
I’m from Ukraine, there’s not many shoegaze artists here. I play in most shoegaze projects in Ukraine (literally). I’m the guitarist in last past. and Plaaaato. I don’t really like the Ukrainian music scene in general. There are some artists that I love and that’s all, actually.
So, you and some others could form a Ukrainian shoegaze supergroup quite easily then?!
Ahah, I don’t think so, we all have our own projects.
When did you start recording as Rippedd?
I started recording music with my closest friend and it was about three years ago. We figured this name after first listening to Sonic Youth’s album Rather Ripped. My friend took a part in working on this album and we came up with three songs together.
Where do you record, at home?
Yeah, I record all stuff at home.
How have you been connecting with an audience of listeners?
Ahah, I don’t really know. I think I found most of my listeners because of re-posts and collaboration with Asian Glow.
Who are your strongest influences on your music or creativity?
Actually, I can’t name only one artist, but mostly I was inspired by Slowdive and Sonic Youth. I have found out about a lot of amazing artists, but I started with them.
Your biggest challenge in music? Your biggest opportunity in music?
The biggest challenge for me is to write new songs and satisfy my expectations about it. The biggest opportunity is to give emotions to people.
What gives you emotions?
My friends, moments of life.
How would you describe your music to a 92-year old woman?
Ahah, I would say that she shouldn’t listen to it. I’d be embarrassed.
What is the most interesting thing that someone has said about your music?
I love when people are saying to me that my music gave them emotions and moments of comfort and joy. It’s always unique.
Do you think that the imaginary 92-year old woman might appreciate that aspect of your music?
I don’t really know.
Do you have plans for more recordings or a CD/vinyl/cassette release?
Today (8 September 2023) is the release of my album on cassette and soon there will be CDs with the help of Reasonable Records and two more labels.
Dream concert line-up and destination?
Kitchen, Mojave 3, Valium Aggelein, pasteboard, apistate commander (RIP) sweet trip
How do you discover bands? And your favourite Mojave 3 song?
I just surf the internet and listen to a lot of music. “After All”, I guess, but actually I love the album Ask Me Tomorrow fully.
What is the inspiration or driving force behind your album maybe in another life? Is there a story about the song “i'm here”?
War inspired me mostly. War destroyed some of my dreams, killed so many Ukrainians. But, emotionally it’s more like a discourse about a thought, “do I need another life?” are there any reasons? what’s wrong with me now?”
The song “i’m here” actually draws a similar picture. The lyrics are about a dream, or illusion that you are in that place and moment where you wanted to be. The chords and lyrics for the song were written by my friend Vanya, but I recorded and reformatted this song quite a bit.
Where is the place or moment that you want to be?
These things are existing only in my head, just dreams of calm life with close people near. Without war. Without loneliness.
May I ask about the photo of the album cover? Why did you choose it?
It's the house of my neighbors, I did this photo last autumn at night and I thought it's symbolic for the album... like a light inside is another life that you want.
It is hard for me to imagine how war and the worry and anxiety of war impacts someone’s creativity. Can you say anything about that?
In fact most songs in our lives have a foundation of emotional context. All emotions that you feel, you can give them to your music.
Can you say anything about the label that put out the album?
Electricity is a Ukranian underground label, there’s many cool bands signed on it.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about?
I really appreciate all who are listening and supporting me in my musical journey. Have a nice life, everyone.
Thank you to Rippedd for being so responsive and sharing some of the thoughts behind your songs. I hope you keep sharing your dreams through music and that it brings you calm and connection with people. Looking forward to more loud calm dream noise from Ukraine.
You can find Rippedd on Bandcamp and IG @rippedd.mp3 and get the album maybe in another life? via Electricity.