Alinka: The Greatest Love Story of My Life – A Resident's Ode to ∄

Few artists embody the emotional gravity and euphoric release of club music quite like Alinka. A queer artist with roots in Kyiv and a heart deeply intertwined with the dancefloor, her productions radiate both urgency and timelessness. As the first international resident at ∄ (K41), Alinka returns to a space that changed her life — spiritually, musically, and politically.

In this conversation, she reflects on the healing power of nightlife, the improvisational magic behind her music, and why "Heaven Knows" is more than just a track — it’s a love letter to the dancefloor, and to the community that built her.

Alinka: The Greatest Love Story of My Life: A Resident's Ode to ∄

I still get tears in my eyes every time I play there. There's nothing quite like it

"Heaven Knows" is a love letter to K41. What is it about that space — especially the Backyard — that makes it feel like heaven? 

I think you have to experience it in person to really fully feel it. There is a feeling of euphoria and joy there, and an energy that's unmatched. For me, it also has a lot to do with the space itself and the way it was designed. It allows you to really be immersed in the music and the energy of the room, no matter where you are within the space. It's a very spiritual and emotional experience for me. I still get tears in my eyes every time I play there. There's nothing quite like it. When you first walk through the doors, I always say it's Utopia; it's just overwhelmingly beautiful in every way. 

Alinka by Kostiantyn Bibliuk

You've said 'hell is an airport and heaven is a dance floor' Do you think clubbing can actually be a spiritual practice? 

Definitely, if you're lucky enough to experience it in the right way, I wouldn't still be doing this if I didn't have those moments. They're what drives me and inspires me to keep going. 

To be honest, this industry in recent years has felt pretty divisive and uninspiring at times, and I have felt more and more like a fish out of water

"Always On Time" flips the narrative — it's grounding, it's present. Was this duality (escapism vs. embodiment) something you consciously explored across the two tracks?

To be honest, I don't really ever start with a concept or idea when I'm writing music. I am in love with the improvisation of it all, and just letting everything come naturally. I wrote Heaven Knows first when coming back from Kyiv, and Always On Time right after. So perhaps it was subconscious somehow. But really, I'm more so just writing tracks I would want to play and dance to, so I'm more focused on the energy of the songs and keeping momentum on the dancefloor. 

Alinka by Kostiantyn Bibliuk

House music is often romanticized for its past. Your work feels timeless but still urgent. Do you feel pressure to innovate, or is the goal to move bodies first, think later?

Thank you! I fell in love with Chicago House because the music felt so timeless and fresh to me. I started making music around 2003, and it took me maybe 10 years to even like anything I made, and another 10 to get to the point I am really comfortable in the studio and can really get my voice across, so I feel like now I'm just really focused on enjoying myself and the creative process. My goal was always to write timeless tracks and to push myself and my own boundaries, and to keep learning and growing. So that's what I always try to focus on, and I don't really feel pressure to be anything other than myself and where I'm at in that moment. I know after all these years it has to come naturally and not to force any of it, or it doesn't work for me. 

I think perfectionism kills creativity

You were just announced as the first international resident at ∄ — what does it mean to hold that title as a queer artist from Kyiv, especially now?

It's the greatest honor. This club is such a monumental part of my life story. They were the first to bring me back to Kyiv since I was 8 years old. I was really disconnected from my roots at that time. It was the missing piece in my life; it really changed me. I played, I believe, the 2nd party ever there in 2019 when it first opened, the club was still under construction even. I had never been to Kyiv to play before, so I didn't know what to expect and was really nervous. But it was such a family vibe from the moment I arrived, they were so genuine and warm and welcoming, and the crowd was so open and so supportive. I played regularly after that and grew with the space and the people and found my place and my home. It's really the greatest love story of my life, and I'm happy to grow older with this place and to give everything to the community. 

How has the playing in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion shifted your relationship to music, both personally and politically? 

When Russia started the full-scale invasion, I just felt devastated, and wanted to help in any way I could. But it never felt like I could do enough, and I just felt broken by what's happening. When the club reopened to help raise money for the military and asked me to return, I immediately said yes. I was so happy that I could finally come back to Kyiv to support them and to give people some moments of joy in these difficult times. It meant everything to me; that trip really changed my life. It gave me purpose at a time I really needed it. It reminded me of the power of community, and of this music and what it all can be. Seeing the resilience of the Ukrainian people and everything they're doing during these unimaginably difficult times is so important and inspiring. I'm just honored that I could be there and be part of it. It's the most meaningful thing I've done in my life. 

 In a time when "community" is such a buzzword, how do you personally define it, and what does it mean to you?

For me, my community is my friends and family, and those who make me feel safe and supported no matter what. For me, it starts with empathy and mutual respect. I try to carry that towards the wider community, which I'm part of within our scene. To be honest, this industry in recent years has felt pretty divisive and uninspiring at times, and I have felt more and more like a fish out of water. I had to learn to just focus on what I'm doing and what feels positive for my mental health, and in a way that filtering process actually brought me closer to and gave me a new appreciation for my community and the people who continue to inspire me and who I want to support. 

I always try to choose music that gives me goosebumps and makes me feel emo in some kind of way

When do you know a track is finished? Or are they ever really done?

My focus has always been on my overall output. I like that I can hear my progression as a producer in every track, even the earlier ones where I had no idea what I was doing. I feel like the track is finished when I've given it everything I can at that time. I just moved on to the next one because I know I'll keep learning and growing, so I don't really dwell on it or try to make everything perfect. I think perfectionism kills creativity. 

What's one musical cliché you secretly love?

Lots of '80s and '90s pop songs. If I can sing it at Karaoke, it's a winner. I'm not ashamed. 

What would surprise people about your production process — any rituals, weird rules, or something else?

I guess that I don't really know what I'm doing, haha. I mean, I know how to do the things I want to do as a producer, but I'm sure I'm not doing things the textbook way. When I started, there were no YouTube or TikTok tutorials; you had to learn from doing. I didn't want anyone to be able to take credit for my work, so I just worked at it and didn't ask for help, no matter how long it took or how frustrating the process was. So, for me, I guess the rules are that there are no rules. My music got a lot better when I learned to trust my ears and not focus too much on the conventional rules or what things should sound like, but rather what I want them to sound like, and learning to implement that. 

If someone's listening to 'Heaven Knows' on the U-Bahn at 3PM — do you think it still works? Or does it need sweat and strobe to hit properly?

I've definitely seen some fun dancing on the U-Bahn at 3 PM, so why not, although I'm not sure the U-Bahn would remind anyone of heaven on earth. I hope my music can bring people a bit of joy, even at places like the airport or the U-Bahn, and at the very least, I hope it will motivate them to escape.  

One track that never leaves your USB, no matter the crowd?

Slam – Known Pleasures

Best dancefloor you've ever cried on?Not just saying this because I'm a resident now, but with my whole heart it's ∄ (K41).  Can't wait for the world to experience that. 

What's the last thing that genuinely inspired you — musically or not?

The resilience of humans, and the level of empathy and kindness given by the people who are suffering the most in the world.

If your music had a scent, what would it be?

Probably the smoke from a fog machine.

What do you hope someone feels — in their body — when your set peaks?Joy and unapologetic emotion. I'm a very sensitive person. I always try to choose music that gives me goosebumps and makes me feel emo in some kind of way, so I like to create those moments on the dancefloor. Collective emotional experience.