Ivan Marunic: Artists must always be prepared to swap their musical instruments for military ones.

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Ivan Marunich discussed readiness to go to the front, the work of the TCC, artists who have fallen out of the Ukrainian context, the significance of the song "Dog Patron" and its mission, his attitude towards Taras Topol and Andriy Khlyvnyuk.

You’ve probably seen Ivan Marunich’s humorous posts, memes, and comments on current topics at least once on social media. Just as you’ve definitely heard his song about the dog Patron, who “holds this area.” However, not everyone knows that for many years, the artist has been actively performing at the front for Ukrainian soldiers and volunteering. He continues to do so, successfully combining concerts, blogging, and public activities.

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, the frontman of the KARTA SVITU band spoke about the power of culture during wartime, his views on traitorous artists, mobilization, humor in wartime, and named "places of power" and songs that inspire him.

– Last year, your band KARTA SVITU released a two-part album "The Space of Important Things," and just before the New Year holidays, you surprised your fans with your first concert show on TV, MEGOGO, and YouTube. What inspired you and your team to create it?

– I have always been drawn to large forms in creativity, while in music, the trends are quite the opposite. In the era of 7-second TikTok videos, long-play records feel exotic. However, a year ago, in January, we gathered as a team and decided: it was time to create a product that could be called a large form. I opened my work laptop, which holds all my musical developments, and entered it like a creative storage room, where a lot of interesting material has accumulated over the years. There were many ideas and developments scattered throughout the "storage": demo recordings of songs, visuals, playbacks. Prominently placed was a golden box with the incredible story of the song "Dog Patron." Also, there were several chests with other songs that found their audience: "Like Birds," "Batin's Cart," and others.

I decided to conduct an "audit" of all this: first, I gathered all the best creative pieces together, refined the ideas for new songs, secured the support of the team, and we began to create "The Space of Important Things." This album consists of two parts, featuring serious lyrical tracks, driving and optimistic songs, and, of course, occasionally meme-worthy compositions. We initially presented it at a solo concert in Kyiv and then edited a 1.5-hour concert show to capture the work done in an audio-visual format, giving both those who missed the concert and those who want to watch it again the chance to enjoy the performance. All 18 songs sound not just like a collection of tracks - they form a conceptual story reflecting what we are currently experiencing, about people, war, and dreams.

– Your song "Dog Patron" is a real hit that has gone viral. Did you expect such a resonance around it when you wrote it?

– It is nearly impossible to predict a resonance of this magnitude. When I wrote this song, I thought it would be a joke for one evening among friends. But the track turned out to be truly phenomenal. For two and a half years, the song has brought many events, acquaintances, and concerts. First, it became a trend on TikTok, then a rock hit at KARTA SVITU concerts, and subsequently, the track became the official soundtrack of the animated film "Dog Patron," for which we received our first YUNA music award.

At the end of 2023, Ukrainians created hundreds of unique cover versions, overlaying the lyrics about Patron onto the music of global hits. The results were original, high-quality, and impressive. Notably, MONATIK, Pavel Zibrov, Vladimir Dantes, and many other artists, bloggers, and ordinary Ukrainians who create content joined this trend.

– Do you agree with the criticisms from some users who call such tracks "sharovarshchyna"? Answer the haters.

– This track is not "sharovarshchyna" at all, as it does not exploit Ukrainian symbols. Moreover, Patron has become a source of support for all generations of Ukrainians during difficult times.

Just like two years ago, the track is warmly received by the audience at all concerts, and I still receive messages almost daily that the song is loved by children, teenagers, and adults. The most touching was a letter from the mother of a young man who is in captivity, and to my surprise, it is this song that supports her during the hardest times. Of course, dozens of videos continue to come in showing children dancing, playing, and singing this song, which means it is also fulfilling a certain mission during the war.

– And what RukhankoMen does, in your opinion, is beneficial for children (specifically the track about air alerts)? Or is it just a laugh and even cringe?

– I have seen many videos from school shelters where little children dance to the "rukhanky" created by this artist. And I believe that such content should exist, as it not only comforts the little ones but also helps them to distract a bit from the terrifying moments occurring around almost every day.

– Do you think the track "Fortress Bakhmut," in your personal opinion, is a necessary and relevant song, or is it "speculation" on the topic of war, as Yevhen Halych once said?

– Recently, we, along with the Antitila band, performed at the YUNA Christmas concert accompanied by the National Presidential Orchestra. Our performances were at the beginning of the program. Backstage, I heard how the audience received, in particular, the song "Fortress Bakhmut." It is one of the works that glorifies the heroism of the Ukrainian army, and it has already taken a prominent place in the chronicle of the Russo-Ukrainian war. In my opinion, the words are fitting, and the performance with the orchestra only emphasized the power of the song, which, judging by the comments on YouTube, has already supported thousands of our citizens.

By the way, I would like to address the keyboardist of Antitila, Serhiy Vusyk: please take your iPhone charger back; you forgot it in the dressing room.

Ivan Marunich and Dog Patron (photo provided by the artist)

– You recently mentioned that you updated your information in "Reserve +" and are ready to go to the front if needed. Do you have any fear about the possibility of being on the "zero line"? After all, many admit that feeling anxious is quite normal.

– I have had the honor of performing for defenders since 2018 in close proximity to the front line, with over two hundred such concerts already held. When you are among the best and feel that you are doing something meaningful, worries fade into the background.

Recently, I was reviewing photos and videos from performances in Popasna, Bakhmut, and Volnovakha before the full-scale invasion... My heart ached from the realization of how many tragedies our people have to endure. But this understanding should not lead to despair; rather, it should remind us of the price we have already paid, and therefore we cannot retreat.

Performances for the military are special. Unfortunately, there are already many places on the map where we used to perform with fellow artists, but now these locations are either destroyed or temporarily occupied by the enemy. In any case, music helps to refresh the fighters, lifts their spirits, and boosts morale. It’s pleasant to hear such feedback from soldiers and officers. Just like in any other civilian profession, musicians must also always be ready to switch from musical instruments to military ones.

Ivan Marunich regularly performs for the military (photo provided by the singer)

– What do you think about the periodic raids of the TCC at concerts? Because of this, many events are actually canceled: people are scared and do not buy tickets...

– It is essential to understand that mobilization is one of the integral components during wartime, especially one that has fallen on our shoulders. The best approach is to take fate into your own hands: be proactive, train, and connect with servicemen who can offer advice. We are still in a phase of war where everyone must find their place in this struggle.

Of course, there are outrageous situations and "excesses" from representatives of recruitment centers, but I know of more than one case where the path to the army and the paperwork were handled exemplary. Here, undoubtedly, mutual respect is needed between candidates for the army and representatives of mobilization centers.

– Are concerts, performances, and festivals needed right now? Or, as they say, "not the time"? </