Earlier this month, a trio of Ukrainian musicians came together as Jam for Victory and released a collection of improvised tracks (discussed here) in order to raise funds for wartime charities responding to the Russian invasion that’s been going on since February (and actually much longer). Igor Sydorenko, best known as guitarist/vocalist of Stoned Jesus, has taken the lead on the project — from behind, on drums, in this case — and has a new group involved of Ukrainian musicians assembled, with members of Ghost Cities and Ignea on board for the new jam session, aptly titled Vol. II as a follow-up release.

Different players mean different personalities musically, of course, and the inclusion of sax and synth is a marked distinguishing factor between the first session and this one, but you and I both know what’s up here. It’s a jam recorded on a phone. If you’re going to bitch about the audio fidelity, you missed the point
The point is buy the fucking thing at (at least) the asking price and know that in addition to supporting cool players with a righteous idea, you’re helping cash get to where it needs to be on the ground in Ukraine.

Until the next one:

JAM FOR VICTORY is an opportunity for everyone in the Ukrainian music underground scene to try and remember what it is to be a musician in these terrifying times. They never played with each other before, so it’s all pretty spontaneous! All proceeds go to local Ukrainian charities, so feel free to support us in any way possible. Enjoy and share!

Tracklisting:
1. II-5 08:10
2. II-6 09:30
3. II-4 05:04
4. II-2 09:47
5. II-1 12:17

Eugene Zhytniuk – guitar (originally keyboards in Ignea)
Igor Sydorenko – drums (originally guitar + vocals in Stoned Jesus)
Mykola Lebed – saxophone, synth (Ghost Cities)

https://jamforvictory.bandcamp.com/

Jam for Victory, Vol. II (2022)

Not sure a case really needs to be made for this one. This is Igor Sydorenko from Stoned Jesus, Olexander Kuts from VOVK and Kostyantyn Kalachikov of Shiva the Destructor — three killer Ukrainian bands, the first of whom also just released new music — in a room jamming. They don’t mention it in the info below, but the Jam for Victory session that results in Vol. 1 below — you’ll note immediately that they allow for future collaboration to take place — was an off-the-cuff jam that took place on May 13. The Russian invasion of the nascent trio’s home country has been going on for nearly 100 days, and I guess after a while you find comfort wherever you can. For artists, that should absolutely be in art. So here we are.

The recording is what it is. They say it’s on an iPhone and it sounds like it. But if you’re going to begrudge these dudes five Euro that’s going to local charities on the ground in a frickin’ war zone — really, even if they were keeping the money and buying liquor and drugs with it, which, again, they’re not — then I’m not sure I have anything for you. If you can’t see the point of this, you may be willfully blind, and you might want to look into that.

War on any side, for any purpose, is not a thing to be celebrated. Peace as soon as possible:

JAM FOR VICTORY was an idea by Kostyantyn Kalachikov (SHIVA THE DESTRUCTOR, ASTRONAUT DUCK KILLS) – just to get in the room with some fellow Ukrainian musicians to try and remember what it is to be a musician in these terrifying times. Olexandr Kuts (VOVK) and Igor Sydorenko (STONED JESUS, ARLEKIN, KROBAK, etc) were the first people he decided to jam with, they said “let’s do this!” and coupla days later their first and so far only jam session happened.

But before they played a note, Igor proposed to record their spontaneous performance just in case – and lo and behold, now you can listen to it as it was! All proceeds go to local Ukrainian charities, so feel free to support us in any way possible. Enjoy and share!

Tracklisting:
1. I-5 05:47
2. I-4 06:34
3. I-8 05:55
4. I-3 03:29
5. I-6 05:21
6. I-9 03:25
7. I-1 07:19

Jam for Victory:
Kostyantyn Kalachikov – drums, idea
Olexandr Kuts – bass, artwork
Igor Sydorenko – guitar, recording, editing

https://jamforvictory.bandcamp.com/

Jam for Victory, Vol. 1 (2022)