be_ca_di: I consider the annual compilations the 'OCHI' label most important releases, as they preserve contemporary music for years to come

Dmytro Svitlov, known by his stage name be_ca_di, is the founder of the electronic music label "OCHI". As part of the label, he is set to release the annual compilation "24.2.25", featuring tracks from Ukrainian and international artists. This series has been released annually since the start of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Through his work, be_ca_di focuses not only on promoting Ukrainian music but also on providing financial support to Ukraine in its fight against russian aggression. The "24.2.23" compilation was continued because the war is still ongoing, and Ukraine needs help—support that the label provides through the sales of the compilation. be_ca_di shared insights with Drive Music Media about the creation of his label, the upcoming release of "24.2.25", and the mission behind his work.

Interviewer: Tell us about creating your own electronic music label, "OCHI". What inspired you to start the label, and why did you choose electronic music?

be_ca_di: After performing live at K41 and at the Boiler Room event in Sloviansk (organized by the shum.rave collective, of which I am a resident) in 2021, I felt the urge to create something of my own. I realized that I had everything necessary to make it happen – people who supported me, information channels, the untapped potential of the Ukrainian underground, and the desire to start a new, clean slate rather than joining existing labels and structures. I wanted to support niche, non-commercial sounds and musical experimentation.

At that time, I launched an open call on Instagram, collecting tracks from various Ukrainian artists. From these tracks, demos, and releases, I created shum-casts series of mixes on the shum.rave platform. I called them "Made in Ukraine", and before the full-scale invasion, we managed to release two of these mixes.

These early tracks came from relatively unknown artists from different corners of Ukraine. The third shum-cast, Ukraine at War, was released in April 2022. While creating these mixes, I stayed in touch with the artists who sent in their tracks, fostering an organic connection. So when it came time to form a new label, there was no formal selection process – we simply gathered the same people, created a group chat, and brainstormed a name. That’s how our label, "OCHI", was born.

The main goal of our collective was to highlight niche artists from various Ukrainian cities who were relatively unknown at the time, thus bringing together the diverse sounds of Ukraine.

A key idea behind the label’s foundation was to "start a new, clean history from scratch", detached from existing formations and mainstream concepts. The core of our community was built on supporting all possible musical experiments within the non-commercial soundscape. From the beginning, I understood that the traditional record label model – where artists rely on labels to distribute their music – was becoming outdated. Nowadays, anyone can register with a distribution platform and upload their own tracks. So instead of functioning as a traditional label, my priority was to unite a community around the shared idea of spreading diverse sounds through the wide geography of our residents. I didn’t intentionally choose electronic music – it was simply the field I had been working in since 2016 as a DJ and event organizer.

Interviewer: Tell us about the name of your label. Why OCHI?

OCHI symbolizes a direct, living connection with the listener. I wanted a short name that felt deeply Ukrainian but wasn’t explicitly tied to music. We considered names like Tide or Free, but I wanted something more abstract and open-ended.

Interviewer: Tell us about the "24.2.23" music compilation, which includes tracks created by Ukrainian musicians since the start of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

be_ca_di: This compilation was the first in a series of annual releases. The main goal was to collect a diverse range of tracks produced in 2022 and release them on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

We create these compilations to support the Musicians Defend Ukraine fund – 100% of Bandcamp sales go directly to the fund. Each year, we bring together the music community around a common goal: to help our fellow musicians who are now defending Ukraine on the front lines.

Interviewer: Many musicians are constantly searching for labels. You created your own. What challenges did you face along the way? What was the hardest part of the process?

be_ca_di: It wasn’t difficult – it was exciting! Mainly because I wasn’t alone; we had our residents and a community that always had our back. At the time of creating the label, I was in touch with artists who had already formed their own collectives. I received a lot of valuable advice and support from them. I realized that everyone has their own unique journey and experience. We just needed to start and figure things out along the way, adapting to challenges as they came.

Interviewer: Tell us about the release scheduled for February 25.

be_ca_di: This will be the third in the V/A FUNDRAISER COMPILATION series, "24.2.25", benefiting Musicians Defend Ukraine (100% of Bandcamp sales will be donated directly to the fund).

After the success of the previous two compilations, "24.2.23" and "24.2.24", which raised over $1,400, we decided to continue the series. The war is still ongoing, and our friends and fellow musicians fighting against the russian invasion need all the help we can provide.

We gathered 68 tracks from 57 artists through an open call over three months. The compilation will be released exclusively on Bandcamp.

This collection showcases a rich variety of genres – from ambient and subtle field recordings to witch house, techno, and trance. Vocal-infused instrumental music also has its place in the mix. Pre-orders for 19 tracks from the compilation are already available on Bandcamp. On the release date, February 25, 2025, the full compilation will be available for purchase. Additionally, a preview mix featuring snippets from each track is available on SoundCloud.

I will also create a full-length mix of all tracks and upload it to the label’s SoundCloud, allowing the music to tell a story and capture a snapshot of time through sequencing and mixing. These tracks were produced and compiled in 2024 and have never been released before. This compilation features artists not only from Ukraine but from around the world.

I see these annual compilations as some of the most important releases/projects for the label. They serve as a time capsule, preserving the thoughts and ideas of those who deserve to be documented in our cultural memory. In the future, people will return to these compilations – to remember, to never forget.

Interviewer: What do you look for when selecting tracks for your label? Which artists do you collaborate with, and do you support newcomers in electronic music?

be_ca_di: Supporting new artists is the core mission of our label. I’m always interested in working with hungry, experimental musicians who have a distinctive sound. We currently have 25 residents, but we also feature guest releases from non-residents. When selecting tracks, I rely purely on intuition, which I’ve developed over years as a DJ. Having listened to tens of thousands of tracks, I can quickly tell whether a track excites me or not.

There are no formal selection criteria – it’s either captivating or it’s not.

If I like a track but we’re unable to release it on a suitable date, we always help the artist find another label through our network. We also sometimes encourage self-releases, especially when an artist wants complete control over their music, considering the personal and intimate nature of certain tracks.

Interviewer: What can electronic music fans expect after the compilation’s release on February 25? What new projects are you working on?

be_ca_di: After the "24.2.25" release, we’ll continue promoting it throughout March.

We have a few planned releases, but as usual, after the compilation, the label will take a creative break to develop fresh material and return with new concepts and ideas.

Interviewer: You released "IRREVERSIBLE", a collection dedicated to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. How does war manifest in your music, and what meanings did you embed in this collection?

be_ca_di: I created this soundscape the day after russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Dam – to process my emotions and document this crime. I used streaming platforms as a form of media – the title IRREVERSIBLE: RUSSIANS DESTROYED KAKHOVKA DAM appears on major platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music, serving as a permanent reminder of who committed this atrocity.

The soundscape consists of four parts: Prologue, Drowning, Underwater, and Epilogue. I reversed vocals from a folk song by Leontovych to symbolize that music is the only thing I can bring back. The piece captures abstract images of the flood, the power of water, and the eerie silence beneath the surface.

Interviewer: What is your mission as the founder of the label? Why this particular one?

be_ca_di: My mission is to promote contemporary independent Ukrainian art and support all other channels, platforms, and spaces that share the same mission.

Interviewer: What word do you associate with your own label and the music you release under it?

be_ca_di: Imprint of the current time.

Pictures were taken by void haund, Jaroslaw Makarchuk, scramz kitty