Oleksa doesn’t just drop a track and call it a day. When she released "I Am Not Yours," something about it felt different, and it isn't just what you hear. What is also surprising is where and how she made it happen.
Oleksa explains that filming the video in Kyiv wasn’t just for dramatic effect. “It shaped everything. When people outside Ukraine hear that a music video was filmed during wartime, they often imagine empty streets and a city standing still. The reality is very different. Kyiv continues to live, work and create despite everything happening around it. For me, it was important that the video was filmed in Ukraine and with a Ukrainian crew. I traveled from Miami back to Kyiv specifically for this project because I wanted the people who helped create it to be local artists, filmmakers and creatives. The experience added a layer of authenticity that would have been impossible to recreate elsewhere.”
For Oleksa, the music and her surroundings are intertwined. She says, “The song is about independence and reclaiming your voice, and in many ways the environment around us reflected those same ideas. The video became more than just visuals for a song. It became a snapshot of resilience and the determination to keep creating no matter the circumstances.”
Even from the start, Oleksa didn’t expect the track to be aired on radio stations from Slovakia to Local Sounds Radio in Australia. “Honestly, no. When I released ‘I Am Not Yours,’ my main goal was simply to make something honest and meaningful. As an independent artist releasing a debut single, you never really know how far a song will travel.”
Oleksa keeps it real about how strange and satisfying it is to receive interest for her music globally. “Seeing support come from different countries has been incredible. The track has received airplay in Europe, North America, Africa and now Australia. It was also featured by media outlets and even entered the FLASH Radio’s Top 20 chart in Slovakia.
“The most surprising thing is that listeners from very different places seem to connect with the same emotions in the song. That reminds me that music can cross borders much more easily than people sometimes think.”
The decision to release the new Asatru remix of "I Am Not Yours," which elevates the song, was intentional. “The original version remains my official debut single, but I wanted to give the song a second life through a completely different perspective.
“What fascinated me about Asatru’s remix was that he kept the emotional core of the vocal while transforming almost everything around it. Instead of trying to make a slightly more electronic version, he rebuilt the track from the ground up and took it into Drum & Bass and Jungle territory.
“I loved the contrast. The original version feels introspective and emotional, while the remix feels like movement, freedom and momentum. Together they show two sides of the same story.”
That music video didn’t just fall together easily. She says, “The biggest challenge was coordination. Everyone involved in the project was working under conditions that most international film crews wouldn’t even consider. Air raid sirens, a generator providing power because the city was experiencing a blackout. Schedules could change unexpectedly, logistics became complicated, and there was always an element of uncertainty.
“At the same time, it was important because Ukraine has an incredible creative community. I wanted to contribute directly by working with local professionals rather than outsourcing the project.
“The result was worth all the challenges. Everyone poured their passion, talent, and determination into the project, and I think that energy shines through the entire video.”
Oleksa bounced from Kyiv to Miami, and that mix is present in the way she writes now. “Miami exposed me to a much wider range of musical influences. The city has a unique mix of cultures and sounds. You hear Latin music, electronic music, hip-hop, pop and dance music everywhere.
“At the same time, living far from Ukraine has made me appreciate my roots even more. I think my music exists somewhere between those two worlds. There is the emotional depth and perspective I carry from Ukraine, combined with the openness and energy I experience in Miami.
“That contrast has definitely influenced both my songwriting and my creative vision.”
When Asatru first sent back the remix, it caught Oleksa by surprise.
“I knew Asatru was working on something ambitious, but I wasn’t expecting such a complete transformation. The vocal felt familiar, but everything else felt like entering a different world.”
She hears the emotion powering through, even with the remix. “What impressed me most was that despite all the changes, the emotion of the song remained intact. It wasn’t just a remix for the sake of making something louder or faster. It felt like a genuine reinterpretation of the original story.
“After a few listens I realised it wasn’t replacing the original version. It was expanding it.”
We asked Oleksa what one song she could listen to on repeat while flying from Kyiv to Miami. She didn't hesitate. “That is a difficult question because my answer changes constantly.
“Right now I would probably choose ‘Teardrop’ by Massive Attack. It has a timeless quality that never feels repetitive. Every time I hear it, I notice something new in the production, arrangement or emotion.
“It’s one of those rare songs that can be both calming and inspiring at the same time, which makes it perfect for a long flight.”
There’s more on the way for Oleksa and she isn’t slowing down. “Absolutely. 2026 is just the beginning.
“I’m already working on new material and exploring different directions, while staying true to the emotional sincerity that inspired me to create ‘I Am Not Yours.’ Listeners can look forward to new singles, more visual projects, and several creative collaborations.
Oleksa told us she will be heading back to Ukraine in the coming months. And she'll be shooting her new music video there. The best way to stay up to date with Oleksa is to follow her social media and official links. "I love sharing the creative process, new releases, and behind-the-scenes moments with my listeners.This debut release has been an incredible start, and I am excited to show people what comes next.”
You can stream Oleksa's "I am Not Yours" here
Watch the video here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eviaFE55N4s
Learn more about Oleksa here
https://localsounds.com.au/artist/oleksa
SoundVerge Editorial
Independent music journalism
