Features : International Artist Ptychka Drops Japanese-inspired Single “Ichi”

A classically-trained dancer and performer, Ptychka makes her debut as both singer and songwriter in her fresh single, “Ichi.” Written and performed in Japanese, “Ichi” showcases the emerging artist’s distinct voice which draws from a variety of genres from synthpop to dance.

Asked to describe the song in three words, Ptychka says “electrifying, rebellious, but also soft. I’m still discovering my voice, it’s not edgy. It’s childlike. Like baby pop,” adds Ptychka.

“I’ve always felt an affinity with Japanese culture” shares the artist. “I taught myself basic Japanese and spent a summer in Tokyo. I speak enough to write simple lyrics and that’s how the song came about.”

‘Ichi’ has its origins in London, where Ptychka recorded the vocals with a producer who had heard a demo of her rapping in Japanese. What remained of the session were the vocals, which Ptychka rearranged and used for the track.

The artist, who studied classical ballet at a performing arts school in Russia, was raised internationally (Russia, Chile, France, England). Ptychka shares of her early days, “I started piano when I was young and was brought up on classical music. It was in my baby bottle.”

While dance is her calling, music is the reason it all began. “I always had a desire [to make music]. I didn’t have access to a studio or know producers I could latch on to,” says Ptychka. When she relocated to England, she had the opportunity to explore music beyond her rigid classical upbringing. “I explored musical diversity. I went out and immersed myself in all kinds of underground electronic music. I never really saw myself becoming a pure classical ballet dancer. The training is the best foundation but only so you can do provocative, subversive and wild things. It’s what most excites me.”

It wasn’t until the pandemic that Ptychka found herself with the time to build a studio and experiment with sound. “The artists that made me want to make music aren’t exactly mainstream. They’re more experimental, on the outskirts.”

Ptychka is also excited about the forthcoming music video. Directed by Bruno Miotto in collaboration with visual effects artist Marc-André Gray (Hunger Games, Captain America) -  it’s also experimental. They’ll be using A.I. technology like Stable Diffusion & Luma to create the aesthetic.

Ptychka’s next single, [“Louisette”] is partially inspired by a book of poetry in Friulian and is “more experimental than my first.” Also an aerialist and costume-maker, she hopes to incorporate these into her visuals. “I want to intertwine all these directions I’m going in.”

Ptychka demonstrates a high level of self-awareness, the key to constant growth. “Sometimes I go online and see so much talent—it’s so inspiring. I’ve become a better dancer and artist because of it. I try not to compare myself to the singers and dancers that are at an extremely professional level because I feel like it’s more about the light than the prism anyway. If you want to hear an amazing singer go somewhere else but if you don’t want to die of boredom - I’m over here.

“If anything in the extreme, I’m absolutely playful.”

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