Founders of '9STAGE' Studio, Radience and Ewald: We’re Breaking Stereotypes And Showing That Music Can Be Unpredictable And Unconventional

Kristina Raidence and Tim Ewald are a Ukrainian cinematic rock duo and the founders of the recording studio 9STAGE, dedicated to breaking stereotypes in the Ukrainian music scene and proving that music can be unconventional and boundary-pushing. Since the studio’s launch, the duo has collaborated with numerous talented Ukrainian and international artists, including Ukrainian band O.Torvald and British group Glass Animals.

On April 18, they’ll release a new single titled “Silence”, which they unexpectedly revisited after moving to Kyiv. Kristina and Tim shared with Drive Music Media about challenging the norms of Ukraine’s music industry, their upcoming release, and the meaning behind the name of their studio.

Interviewer: How did the idea of creating your own recording studio come about? What made you shift from being musicians to producing songs for others?

Kristina and Tim: Our journey began with the desire to create music that breaks away from commercial standards. As a duo, we were working on our own compositions, but when we came face-to-face with the industry, we realized that the approach of most studios and labels didn’t align with our values. Music was often created using formulaic principles that limited our creative potential.

So, we decided to build what others couldn’t offer us – we gathered the knowledge and resources to work on our own terms. Along the way, we realized we also wanted to help other artists make high-quality music without clichés and to grow while staying true to their uniqueness.

Interviewer: Tell us about the name of your studio. What’s behind “9STAGE”?

Kristina and Tim: The name “9STAGE” reflects our musical journey, which has gone through nine distinct stages. Before founding the studio, we had worked on eight different projects. Each one gave us valuable experience, lessons learned, and insights into what we wanted to change. When we came up with the concept of 9STAGE, we poured all that history into it – that’s why the name holds such symbolic meaning for us.

Interviewer: Tell us about the upcoming release scheduled for April 18.

Kristina and Tim: We started working on this song before moving to Kyiv, and while we were setting up the studio in our new location, we naturally had to pause work on it. When we finally revisited the demo after a long break, we were able to hear it with fresh ears. We felt every emotion as we completed the single, and we hope every listener will connect with the depth and meaning we’ve put into it.

Interviewer: Your studio has collaborated with renowned Ukrainian and international artists like O.Torvald and Glass Animals. Tell us about that experience.

Kristina and Tim: Working with these artists – and their teams – has been truly enriching. They’re creators with a clear sense of self, their audience, and what resonates on a deep emotional level. These collaborations gave us invaluable experience, which we now apply to both our own projects and to the work we do for artists we support.

Interviewer: There’s another side to your journey — your own music. Tell us how your duo started.

Kristina and Tim: We've both been involved in music since childhood and consciously chose it as our career path. While we were still in university, we wanted to form a cover band for work, so we began searching for potential bandmates and found each other in a Telegram chat for musicians. Sharing similar musical tastes, we clicked immediately and decided to write original songs. That’s how it all began – and eventually, we fell in love, got married, and now feel truly happy to be walking this path together.

Interviewer: Which of your songs holds the most special meaning for you – and why?

Kristina and Tim: We’ve written a lot of songs – some are already finished and waiting for release, others are still in demo form. We write in both Ukrainian and English. Over the years, we’ve created around 100 tracks, many of which will definitely be released. Some we like more than others, but we can’t name just one favorite. Not because we don’t have a special one, but because each song feels special in the moment of its creation. Every song tells a story, and we pour our time, skills, and emotions into each one. So how can we pick just one, when every track comes straight from the heart?

Interviewer: Tell us about the recording process — both as musicians and producers. Which role do you prefer?

Kristina and Tim: We actually have different perspectives here – Tim is more into the technical studio work, and I’m more focused on the creative side. But for us, every stage is important. Over time, we’ve learned to enjoy each part of the process equally.

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?

Kristina and Tim: On April 18, we’re releasing a new single titled "Tyscha" (ed. – “Silence”).

Right now, we’re also working on our next song "Vyshche Neba" (ed. – “Above the Sky”) and an English-language album, though the release date for that one hasn’t been set yet.

Interviewer: What word best represents your musical journey and your studio – and why?

Kristina and Tim: The word that comes to mind is growth. We’ve done everything ourselves from day one, and that kind of path demands constant learning, improving your skills, and understanding not only your own field but also related ones – all to stay current and keep evolving.

Interviewer: What’s your mission as a Ukrainian recording studio and as a duo? Why this mission?

Kristina and Tim: We want to challenge the stereotypical perceptions of the music industry in our country and show that music can be something else — unpredictable, unconventional.

We believe that young artists who create deeper, more meaningful content – like we do, and like the ones we support – can truly connect with listeners on a profound level.

Music is an expression of identity. And what kind of identity is there when most chart-topping songs sound exactly the same?

We stand for creativity, for music that reflects individuality – something different, just like every person is. That’s been our mission from the very beginning, and it’s what we’ll continue to fight for.

Pictures were provided by Kristina Raidence and Tim Ewald