Go_A

Go_A is a Ukrainian folktronica ensemble combining Ukrainian folklore, electronic music and acoustic instruments. The band's name is composed of two important parts: 'Go' for 'movement' and 'A' for the Ancient Greek letter 'alpha', a reference to a return to one's cultural roots.

 

The band's story began in 2012, when sound producer Taras Shevchenko met ethnosinger Kateryna Pavlenko. After recording a number of songs together, Kateryna Pavlenko and sound producer Taras Shevchenko realized that Ukrainian folklore and electronic music were a perfect match, combining energy and emotion into a captivating mix. Go_A is composed of Kateryna Pavlenko (vocals), Taras Shevchenko (producer, keyboards, percussion), Ihor Didentchuk (wind instruments, backing vocals) and Ivan Hrõhorjak (guitar).

 

In 2016 Go_A won the contest "Best Song of Ukraine". The song "Vesnianka" immediately reached the top of the radio charts and was number one in the "10Dance" charts for six weeks. As a result, the band was nominated for the "KissFM Discovery of the Year" title.

 

In November 2016, the band presented their first album, “#Ідиназвук”, which translates to '#FollowTheSound' in English. In spring 2019, "Vesnianka" reached the top 10 of the Slovak іTunes Dance charts.

 

At the beginning of 2020, Go_A won the Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, receiving the highest possible score from both the jury and the TV vote. After the cancellation of Eurovision 2020 due to a coronet pandemic, Go_A was selected to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2021.

 

The band took part in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Ukraine with the song "Шум" ("Shum" - "Noise"), the music video for which was inspired by Tommy Cash's videos - the band's lead singer Kateryna Pavlenko has confessed that she is a big Tommy Cash fan. They came fifth in the Eurovision Song Contest final that year, but came second in the televote.