zoanthropiia— There is always more than one solution— Interview with the bRAVEs

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zoanthropiia (Si apre in una nuova finestra), a Donetsk-born, Berlin-based DJ, takes a freestyle approach to music, blending adventurous explorations of diverse sounds. She started with funky and afro-house, shaping her bold style before expanding into melodic strains, the raw energy of rave, and the mystique of trance. Her evolving sound is driven by commanding basslines, punchy beats, and spacey melodies that transport listeners into a deep sonic journey—an electrifying fusion of rhythm and emotion.

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the bRAVEs: How did you start DJing? What inspired you?

zoanthropiia: Ten years ago, my partner took me to sisyphos. I was impressed, so much happening in one place, and the pizza was great. Back home, we had a small dark room with ambient music in a club called 'нло', but it closed quickly. I became curious about how djs mix tunes. It felt like a mystery I just had to figure out. As a researcher, I started analysing live recording sets from djs I liked. Looking back, I think those djs shaped the foundation of how I understand and approach djing today.

the bRAVEs: Has your style changed since you started playing?

zoanthropiia: Oh yeah! I also believe it is unavoidable. There is always something new that inspires each of us. I started with house and techno, then moved to only techno. I must admit, the hardest sound I’ve ever played came during the first two years of full-scale war in Ukraine. If you haven’t seen it, check out my Pattern set on YouTube (that’s also where I met Cheka). I started to calm down lately, and around that time, trance caught my attention. Right now, I feel like groove and trance are blending together, and I’m very comfortable with that.

the bRAVEs: What has been your nicest DJ experience so far?

zoanthropiia: I can never really identify the best of the best. Each gig has something unique, so it’s all very relative. That said, I have very special memories from the Laboratorium party in 2023 in Kyiv. Everything was overwhelming. I remember walking in and seeing so many people dancing during the war, in a warehouse powered by generators, in the middle of winter. Best ppl! while playing, I kept getting goosebumps.

the bRAVEs: You've been living in Berlin for around 10 years. What feelings did you have then and now?

zoanthropiia: Well, it’s a complex and difficult topic. In general, I really like the city. There is no other place quite like it, and what you experience here in everyday life is truly unique. There are some things I feel were better in the past (maybe that comes with age, haha). But what’s definitely missing are places for young people. I think there are far too many shopping malls and office buildings, replacing spaces where people could meet and spend time together. It makes me sad that some of the former cultural neighbourhoods have disappeared but I'm also really happy to see new ones starting to emerge.

the bRAVEs: Berlin - Hell or Paradise?

zoanthropiia: One day it feels like hell, the next like paradise. If you want to know how it is on average, we’d have to update the answer daily over a period of time, but one thing is for sure,

Berlin is definitely fun!

the bRAVEs: You've withdrawn from social media. Was there a trigger? Can you comment on that?

zoanthropiia: Well, I understand the importance of social media these days. It’s a powerful tool for promotion. However, at some point, my tolerance for the toxicity reached its limit, and I had to step away. I’m back on instagram, mostly because many people told me they didn't know how to reach me otherwise. Actually, some people wrote that they were worried and had been looking for me. That was really sweet. Now, I use instagram passively. I’ve got used to not having it.

the bRAVEs: When you think about Ukraine, what positive thoughts come to mind?

zoanthropiia: I have only warm thoughts about Ukraine. There were many times I felt ready to move back because I missed so many things. I love how funny and creative Ukrainians are. I truly think we’re the best at finding a way out of any situation. Compared to Germany, we avoid complicated rules with a kind of elegance and ease. And there is always more than one solution.