London Cult.

A singer Golda will perform in London with a program of Jewish music with virtuoso jazz accompaniment. The concert will take place on January 31 on the stage of the legendary Clapham Grand, where such famous names of the modern music like Chuck Berry, The Kinks, Oasis and many others have performed in the past. For the singer it will not be the first performance on the London stage. Last November, the musical GOLDA: A Musical Story of Love, Loss, and Resilience premiered to a roaring success, earning acclaim from audiences, critics and press alike, thanks to the singer’s phenomenal voice and charisma and the incredible work of the Bird&Carrot Productions team.

Golda is an ambassador of Jewish culture and a finalist on The Voice Ukraine, and her repertoire simultaneously combines the beloved arrangements of classic Yiddish and Hebrew songs, as well as Eastern European music and more contemporary Western genres such as RnB and Soul. At the upcoming concert, Golda will present a new program and while the Londoners are in the anticipation for this performance, we had a chance to talk to Golda about Jewish jazz, her life in London and found out what to do in these difficult times for artists.

London Cult: Golda, after the outbreak of war you, like many of your compatriots, found yourself in exile. Was coming to London an accident or a conscious choice?

Golda: Before the war, I had no plans to move anywhere, although as a child I had a dream of settling in London someday. After all, it is the city of the heroes of our favourite books — from Sherlock Holmes to Harry Potter. London has a special aura, and it is also one of the centres of world music culture. My older brother studied in London, and when I visited him for the first time, I immediately fell in love with this city. I think that when the question of emigration came up, my childhood dream pushed me in the right direction.

LC: Was it difficult to adapt to life in a new place?

G: There were difficulties, of course. After all, I was born and raised in Odessa, where every second passerby is your friend or even a relative. London has a completely different vibe. Personal space is very much respected here. Business contacts and friendships are made differently, on a slightly different note. But despite the outward restraint, people here are very friendly and positive, and are always ready to help you. It was more difficult to stay in the profession. I realised that it was in London that I had a chance to continue my career as a singer, but I would have to start all over again and exist in a world of fierce competition. I decided to do it and challenged myself.

LC: And you did it an amazing job! Your dress for the finale of the musical “Golda” was created by the world-famous fashion designer David Coma, and for the poster you were shot by no less famous Rick Gast, the photographer of the stars, and the single was recorded by the studio where Tina Turner’s hits were born.

G: It didn’t work out right away. In the beginning, right after the move, I sang in restaurants and was grateful to fate for this opportunity. After all, many of my friends were forced to forget their former professions and start learning new ones. When Boris Grebenshchikov invited me to take part in the recording of his new album as a backing vocalist, it was a real victory. And then I was very lucky. I met Sasha Markvo, a London producer, head of the Bird&Carrot Productions, whose track record includes projects with stars like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Natalia Osipova. She believed in me. This is how the musical “Golda” came to life, with a sold out premiere in London in December. It is a story of peace and war, the collapse of familiar life and slow revival. I had a great team of professionals from different countries working with me. I hope that in this performance we have managed to express the pain and hope of many of my Ukrainian compatriots.

LC: The war in Ukraine has been going on for almost 2 years, and a few months ago there was a terrible attack on civilians in Israel. We believe that your musical and the upcoming concert are very inspiring events for Jewish London as well. And how are you, a Ukrainian and a Jew, going through everything that is happening?

G: What can I say? That my heart is bursting with pain? No words can fully express it. Both my homelands, Ukraine and Israel, have been treacherously attacked and are engulfed in the flames of war. Every day, lives are lost. Like many others, I donate part of my royalties to help the victims. But as a singer and actress, my main battlefield is the stage. I am proud to have taken part in recording a song in support of Israel together with such stars as Andrei Makarevich, Tatiana Lazareva and Max Pokrovsky. And I believe that art can influence souls and even the course of world events. The most important thing is to avoid falsity.

G: I hope it will be a real holiday for jazz lovers. The new program will include both world Jewish hits and my own compositions. I will be joined by some amazing musicians, including Joshua Alamnu, my vocal coach. He has worked with such stars as Rita Ora, Jordan Rakey, Raye, and NoGuidance.

LC: Jazz and Jews have a rich history together. Is there a particular performer that inspires you or has influenced your own performance?

G: I guess I’ll start with my grandfather. He often hummed “Papirosn”, it was my lullaby as a child. Then I studied piano at music school, while at the same time I was listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Barbra Streisand, Amy Winehouse, Leonard Cohen, George Gershwin, Ofra Haza… I think this eclecticism had a great influence on the formation of my own musical style. And, of course, I want to bring a Jewish touch to everything. And if we’re talking about one artist, I guess in my case it’s Beyonce. I’m always inspired by what she does.

LC: In these uneasy times, what advice would you give to both regular people and aspiring artists who have found themselves in a situation similar to yours?

G: I would like to say: times are not of our choosing. Many of us have experienced the horror of being near death, lost a homeland or even someone close to us. But try not to lose faith in yourself, don’t let your dreams be killed. Look for like-minded people, people who share your ideals and values. Try to find an opportunity to do what you love and don’t be afraid to take risks. Pray, if you are a believer, remember that in each of us lives a divine spark. Then you will overcome everything, and sooner or later success will come to you.