Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko

As a musician, Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko is one of the leading voices in Ukraine’s experimental scene. His genre-defying work spans orchestral composition, indie rock, and rap—accumulating over 1 million Spotify streams in the past year alone. He is also the co-founder of Ceramic Knives, a Ukrainian-American post-punk duo known for its raw, minimalist sound and haunting vocal textures.

As a producer, Frazé-Frazénko collaborates with forward-thinking indie artists from Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and the U.S., shaping projects across hip hop, R&B, jazz, rock, and experimental music.

His musical evolution unfolds in distinct chapters: 2004–2008 marked his early indie rock years; 2009–2013, a deep dive into experimental music; 2015–2018 saw a return to indie rock; 2018 introduced orchestral works; and 2019–2023 explored rap. Since 2023, he has been fusing his experimental roots and indie sensibilities into a bold new sound—restless, cinematic, and deeply personal.

Ceramic Knives is a Ukrainian-American music duo blending raw folk roots with experimental textures post punk attitude, and haunting harmonies.

Formed by filmmaker-musician Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko and vocalist Mari Frazé-Frazénko, the duo reimagines traditional Eastern European songs through a cinematic lens—part ritual, part rebellion. Their stripped-down live performances weave together ghostly vocals, atmospheric guitar, and analog electronics, evoking a sound that is both ancient and eerily contemporary.

Now based in Pittsburgh, Ceramic Knives channels themes of exile, memory, and resistance into a sonic landscape that cuts deep.

More here.

This genre-bending collective began with the project Ukrainian Poetry Songs, a bold reinterpretation of four centuries of Ukrainian poetry—reimagined through a fusion of folk, garage rock, and contemporary songwriting. The live show is paired with a striking visual backdrop: a retrospective montage of Ukrainian cinema that adds a haunting, cinematic layer to the performance.

Lineup:

Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko – vocals, guitar
Mari Frazé-Frazénko – vocals
Hellcat Sneer – drums
Darren Moore – bass

The sound has been described as “The White Stripes meet Nick Cave in Ukraine—and PJ Harvey sings.” Gritty, poetic, and emotionally raw, the band brings the past into the present with electric urgency.

More here.

Since 2019, Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko has made a bold and polarizing impact as a rap artist, releasing 13 LPs, 20 singles, and 19 music videos in both Ukrainian and English. His work blends sharp lyricism, inventive production, and a voice that’s impossible to ignore.

He has collaborated with leading figures in Ukrainian rap, including VovaZiLvova and Dovhyi Pes. Critics have praised his originality, raw energy, and genre-defying sound—but his work hasn’t gone without controversy. Just as many critics have lauded his boldness, others have criticized his uncompromising tone and provocative themes. His lyrics have repeatedly sparked heated debates in the Ukrainian press, dividing audiences and establishing him as one of the most fearless and talked-about voices in the scene.

more here.

As a classical music composer, Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko has released several orchestral works alongside a dozen piano concertos and solo compositions. His works have been performed at various music festivals in Lviv and Kyiv, showcasing his unique blend of classical structure with contemporary sensibilities.

In addition to concert music, he has composed original soundtracks for films—bringing his cinematic approach and emotional depth to the screen. Whether in the concert hall or on film, his classical compositions reflect the same bold, expressive voice that runs through all of his work.

more here.

Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko has been a leading figure in the Ukrainian experimental music scene since 2009. Since 2023, he has been blending his experimental roots with his indie rock background in a continued search for a new and evolving musical language.

more here.

as a music producer, he works with leading indie artists from Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and the USA in a variety of genres such as hip hop, R&B, rock, jazz, and experimental. artists are drawn to collaborate with Oleksandr because he provides a comprehensive package encompassing ideas, music production, sound engineering, and seamless facilitation of the entire creative process. in addition, he brings a unique visual representation to each project, shaping a distinctive image for artists through music videos—all accomplished within a remarkably condensed timeframe.