8Kays
8Kays | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Iryna Shvydka |
| Origin | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Genres | Melodic techno, Melodic house |
| Occupation(s) | DJ, Record producer, live act |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Afterlife, Renaissance Records, Blaufield Music, Anjunabeats, Bedrock Records, Radikon, Eleatics Records |
| Website | 8kays |
8Kays (born Iryna Shvydka; August 27, 1985) is a Ukrainian electronic music producer, DJ, and live performer based in Berlin, Germany. Her music combines elements of melodic techno and melodic house, characterized by emotive melodies, driving basslines, and atmospheric textures.[1] She has released music on labels including Afterlife, Bedrock Records, and Anjunabeats, and has performed at international festivals such as Tomorrowland and A State of Trance.[1][2]
Early life and background
Iryna Shvydka was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and spent her formative years in the Ukrainian capital, where she completed her schooling and university education. In interviews, she has described Kyiv as “the city of my memories,” emphasizing its foundational role in her personal and artistic development.[1] Before pursuing music full-time, she worked as a civil lawyer in Ukraine.[1] Her initial foray into electronic music was under the alias IRA, producing trance music. In 2014, she transitioned to underground electronic styles and adopted the name 8Kays, citing a desire to explore more experimental and emotionally resonant soundscapes.[1]
Career
2014 – 2021: Early releases
8Kays began releasing music in the mid-2010s, with early works appearing on the Ukrainian label Eleatics Records.[1] She later signed tracks to international imprints such as Anjunabeats and Renaissance Records.[2] Her remix of Andrew Bayer Anjunabeats’s “Immortal Lover” was released on Anjunabeats in 2019.[1]
2022 – 2025: International recognition
In January 2022, 8Kays performed a live set at the Kharkiv Philharmonic in Ukraine, filming the performance without an audience on January 24, about one month before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[2]
The recorded set was subsequently released as part of a humanitarian initiative to raise funds for Ukrainian relief efforts through the nonprofit organization Stellar Ukraine.[2] The timing of the performance, captured just weeks before the outbreak of full-scale conflict, lent the project additional poignancy and urgency as the artist sought to support those affected by the war.[2]
The Kharkiv Philharmonic, a beautifully renovated concert hall in Ukraine's second-largest city, is recognized for its exceptional acoustics and elegant architecture. The venue typically hosts a diverse range of musical events, from classical concerts to contemporary performances, making 8Kays' electronic music set a notable addition to its programming history. The decision to film without a live audience created an intimate documentation of the performance within the historic space, allowing the focus to remain on the music and the venue's architectural beauty [2]
That year, her track “Morning After The Rave” was released on Afterlife, the label founded by Tale Of Us, and gained attention in the global melodic techno scene.[1]
In 2023, she released a remix of Quivver’s “Hold” and her original single “Waves” on Bedrock Records, the label founded by John Digweed.[1] She described the release as fulfilling a “childhood dream”, having listened to Digweed’s music while studying law.[1]
Perfomances
Tomorrowland, Belgium
She has performed at major venues and festivals including Tomorrowland in Belgium, Printworks in London, Watergate in Berlin, Avant Gardner in New York, and Hï Ibiza[3].[1] In December 2023, she appeared at Mixmag’s “The Lab India” event in Hyderabad.[4]
- 8Kays performing at Tomorrowland in 2022 and 2024
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8Kays performing at Tomorrowland (2022) -
8Kays performing at Tomorrowland (2022) -
8Kays performing at Tomorrowland (2024) -
8Kays performing at Tomorrowland (2024)
8Kays has performed at major international electronic music festivals and events, including Tomorrowland in Belgium. Her appearance at Tomorrowland occurred in both 2022 and 2024, with the 2024 set taking place on the festival’s Freedom Stage.[1]
Hyderabad, India
In December 2023, she performed in Hyderabad, India, as part of Mixmag's 'The Lab India' touring series. Mixmag and Budweiser launched another global edition of their legendary DJ streaming series – The Lab – with multiple events across different Indian cities throughout the year. With parties in Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi, Pune, and Goa featuring the best Indian and international talent.[4]
Guadalajara, Mexico
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8Kays performing at Guadalajara (2024) -
8Kays performing at Guadalajara (2024)
In May 2024, 8Kays performed at the Afterlife event in Guadalajara, Mexico, delivering a set of melodic techno music to the Mexican audience.[5] The performance took place on May 17, 2024, at the Akron Stadium Esplanade, marking Afterlife's first appearance in Guadalajara and representing a significant expansion of the brand into Mexico's electronic music scene.[6]
The Guadalajara appearance was part of 8Kays' extensive touring schedule in 2024, which included performances across multiple countries and continents. At the event, 8Kays performed alongside David Lindmer as one of the opening acts for the evening, preceding sets from MRAK, Colyn B2B Innellea, Anyma's "Genesys" performance, and the headline set from Afterlife founders Tale Of Us.[6]
This performance in Mexico contributed to 8Kays' growing international presence as a touring electronic music artist, allowing her to connect with Latin American audiences and experience the region's electronic music culture firsthand. The Afterlife event in Guadalajara was part of the brand's Latin American tour, with the event in Mexico serving as the second-to-last stop on this regional circuit.[7]
Musical style
8Kays describes her creative philosophy as “music without borders,” emphasizing emotional authenticity and sonic exploration. Her sound merges the atmospheric qualities of melodic house with the rhythmic intensity of techno, often featuring “stompy and energetic basslines” paired with intricate melodic elements. She strives for freshness in her productions, blending powerful heavy-infused techno with ethereal, melodic works rich in sound-design elements. Her creative vision aims to explore new musical horizons while evoking bursting energy through her sound.
While she has not extensively detailed specific musical influences, her production approach reflects deep engagement with electronic music’s evolving textures. She has stated that her project is driven by an “inner call for hunting new sound landscapes,” and she views her live performances as extensions of her studio experimentation.[8] 8Kays’ productions blend progressive trance-inspired melodies with techno rhythms. In studio sessions, she emphasizes detailed sound design, using synthesizers and effects to craft layered textures and evolving arrangements. Her live sets often integrate hardware and software to reinterpret her tracks in real time.[9]
Discography
- Singles and EPs
- “Morning After The Rave” (Afterlife, 2022)[1]
- “Waves” (Bedrock Records, 2023)[1]
- “Subway To Berlin” (with Hotmode, Radikon, 2024)
- “Basic” (with Braev, Afterlife, 2023)[1]
- “Time Warp” (with AURIN (IN), Eleatics Records, 2023)[1]
- “Dance Alone” (with Tone Of Arc, Eleatics Records)[1]
- “Respect Me / Young Souls EP” (Eleatics Records, 2021)[1]
- “Sun Will Come Out EP” (Renaissance Records, 2020)[1]
- Remixes
- Andrew Bayer – “Immortal Lover (8Kays Extended Mix)” (Anjunabeats, 2019)[1]
- Quivver – “Hold (8Kays Remix)” (Bedrock Records, 2023)[1]
- Booka Shade – “In White Rooms (8Kays Remix)” (Single, June 23, 2023)
Humanitarian work
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, 8Kays became involved in fundraising efforts for her hometown of Fastiv, supporting food and medical aid distribution through the organization Stellar Ukraine.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 Kocay, Lisa (2023-11-17). "8Kays Drops Sonically Stunning Single 'Waves' On John Digweed's Esteemed Label Bedrock Records". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Bain, Katie (2022-06-08). "8Kays' Ukraine Set at Kharkiv Philharmonic". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
- ↑ "8Kays". Resident Advisor. RA Ltd. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Mixmag and Budweiser present: The Lab India". Mixmag. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ↑ "Afterlife Guadalajara". After.Life. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Afterlife Guadalajara". After.Life. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ↑ "Afterlife Guadalajara". After.Life. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ↑ Rosenschein, Ari (13 March 2025). "Scene Report: CRSSD Fest Spring 2025". Roland Articles. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ↑ "8Kays Makes A Melodic Techno Track From Scratch". DJ Mag. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
- ↑ Bray, Axel (2023-11-17). "8Kays performs at the Kharkiv Philharmonic for Ukraine". Electronicgroove. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
External links
Category:Women DJs Category:Electronic dance music DJs Category:Ukrainian DJs
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