MORGENDIE: “My Album ‘Maris’ Touches On What Lies Deepest — The Fragile, The Dark, And The Eternal”

Morgendie is a collaborative music project by Ukrainian singer Amelteyaa and composer-songwriter Dmytro Kod (Kozlitin), whose music immerses listeners in the safety of inner worlds — especially in their new album “Maris.”

Recently, the singer took part in a concert at Tepliy Lampovyi, a place Amelteyaa describes as warm and familiar — something that truly feels like home.

Morgendie opened up with Drive Music Media about what musicians shouldn’t worry about at their first live show, the creative process behind “Maris”, and how she finds inspiration for new music amid the full-scale russian war against Ukraine.

Interviewer: How and when did your musical journey begin? What were your first steps in the industry?

Morgendie: My creative journey began in childhood when I started attending music school at the age of 8, studying violin. I’m still continuing my education in music college. I grew up in a family of musicians — both my mother and father dedicated most of their lives to music, mainly performing Ukrainian folk. My father was a multi-instrumentalist (with the accordion as his main instrument), and my mother was a vocalist.

Interviewer: Tell us about your album Maris. What meanings and messages did you embed in it?

Morgendie: The album Maris invites you to dive into the boundless inner worlds, where cold and warmth collide in an infinite sea. It’s an album about emotions that break through the ice, about distances that dissolve into the void of the cosmos, and about the depths of feeling that pull you down — but never let you drown.

Each song is like an echo in the silence, like a wave crashing against the rocks. Maris touches the most hidden parts of us: the fragile, the dark, and the eternal.

Interviewer: How challenging is it to create music during the full-scale war that russia is waging against Ukraine? What keeps you motivated and inspired?

Morgendie: Sometimes it’s emotionally hard — especially after constant, devastating morning news about casualties and destruction. I want to write provocative things, to scream about the pain this senseless war brings. So many wars around the world, so many genocides. It brings tears and a sense of helplessness and grief — and we still have to go on with our lives.

But my personal desire to bring light is stronger than anything. That’s who I am. I’m inspired by the simple things around me — thoughts of love, loyal friends, and reflections on the future. What will it be like? What kind of person will I become? That’s what inspires me.

Interviewer: Tell us about the name of your collaborative project morgendie. What’s the story behind it?

It was at music school where I met Dmytro Kozlitin, who suggested I write my first song — the one people now know as Narcissus. The more creative sessions we had, the more we began to think about forming a full-fledged project.

The name came from my Instagram nickname, which can be interpreted as “the last dream a person sees before they die.” That’s where the core idea was born — mystery and cosmic vibes. That’s our genre. And this concert perfectly captures the way I perceive myself and the world.

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

Morgendie: Probably the song Narcissus — a song of birth from unrequited love, the one that started everything. It’s more than a talisman of secret feelings; it’s something deeply meaningful to me. I’m 100% grateful to that person for being in my life.

This song is definitely better than the relationship we could’ve had.

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?

Morgendie: Right now I’m gathering material for a future album — one that will be full of irony, like Bloody Rose. It’s about the lightness of letting people go. I want it to capture the breezy feel of summer and moments of joy.

Interviewer: Tell us about your performance at Tepliy Lampovyi. What was that day like? What kind of unexpected issues can happen during a live show, and how do you prepare for them? What advice would you give to artists performing live for the first time?

Morgendie: Teplyi Lampovyi — despite all the rumors in Kyiv — actually feels very homelike, with a 2018 vibe. It was a great day for the blooming of indie music.

There’s always a risk of things going wrong: maybe the concert won’t break even, or someone gets sick before the show.

I’m someone who reacts calmly to those things. I believe you have to take it all easier. The number of people at a show doesn’t matter — what matters is touching their souls and giving your energy to the stage.

If someone falls sick or something happens and they can’t perform, we just calmly adjust the checklist and order of performances. That’s what we did — no drama.

My advice to artists performing for the first time: stop thinking “what if I mess up?” or “what if people don’t like it?” or “what if no one shows up to hear me?” That’s not what matters. Remember: we’re here to share our energy with people.

They came to enjoy themselves and to experience music — you’re not taking an exam, you’re an artist! Everyone makes mistakes, just approach everything with a smile.

Interviewer: What is your mission as a Ukrainian singer — and why is it important to you?

Morgendie: I want to share part of myself and my world with people. To pass on the light I carry, to exchange energy. It brings me joy to give and to share something with others — and music is the greatest gift I can offer.

Interviewer: What one word do you associate most with your music — and why that one?

Morgendie: Vibrations / Cosmos — because we’re all connected to it. I feel a deep bond with everything mysterious, distant, and somehow familiar.

Pictures were taken by kimkimes.ph