Q&A: OLGA KOROL
Published October 25, 2025
Ukrainian DJ and producer Olga Korol returns to Culture Box on 7 November for another night hosted by Shaktu— a Copenhagen-based event series showcasing talented female artists from the underground scene. Ahead of her performance, we caught up with Olga to learn more about her artistic journey, creative process, and experiences within the electronic music scene.
When you’re preparing music for a gig, how do you decide what feels ‘essential’ to bring with you? Is it more about a story you want to tell, or about leaving space to react to the crowd?
“My preparation is always guided by mood, by the emotional state and personal challenges that shape my perception of music. These experiences directly influence my sets.
Sadness, in particular, is a powerful source of inspiration for me. I often lose connection with the music when I’m too happy. I need that emotional depth to stay true to myself.
When selecting tracks, I focus on expressing what I’m genuinely feeling at that moment. I believe artists are most interesting when they dare to express themselves honestly, when they’re not afraid to open up and be judged.”
Has being a woman shaped your experiences and opportunities in the electronic music scene?
“I don’t really think artists should be divided by gender. Ideally talent should speak for itself. But reality shows that gender still plays a role, even today.
I started noticing these discussions more after moving to Sweden, where people are very aware of human rights and equality. Sexism and patriarchy exist everywhere, and I respect those who speak up and try to change that mindset.
Personally, I’ve never faced discrimination in the scene. Sure, male DJs are the majority, but talented women have always been welcomed. I’ve always felt supported by the electronic community I´ve been surrounded with and in some ways, being a woman even helped. It wasn’t that common before, and people were curious to see women behind the decks, especially when they delivered.
At the end of the day, only the music matters in the underground scene. I’ve had a few people suggest that I´ve succeeded just because of my looks, but if your music isn’t good, nothing can save you.”
Body Parts Records has been around for quite a while now. What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from running a label while also being an artist?
” Running a label is an important mission in many ways. It’s an opportunity to provide a platform for artists, to introduce new talents, and to give producers a chance to share their vision, all through the lens of your own musical taste.
You also carry a responsibility for what you put out there, because it helps shape people’s perception and music taste. It’s a kind of education, so you have to be accurate and mindful about what you feed the audience with.”
What production techniques or sound textures are you currently experimenting with?
“To me, production is about feeling and flow. I love to jam with my Eurorack modulars, twist the drum machines a bit, and let things unfold naturally. I record everything, then cut out the parts that carry the right emotion or groove. It’s all about capturing a moment rather than controlling it.
Sometimes, lyrics also come to mind during the process spontaneous lines or thoughts that I end up weaving into the tracks to give them a personal touch.”
You’re headlining the Shaktu takeover in Black Box on November 7. What can people expect from your set?
“I’ll definitely be digging for some new music and making a stop at my record dealer in Malmö to find a few old school bombs. Of course, I’ll also bring some of my favorite tunes, the ones I just can’t resist playing again.
There are tracks I discovered some time ago and completely fell in love with, so I keep playing them at almost every gig… Until it starts to feel a bit inconvenient because people often film those moments and share them online, which makes it look like I always play the same tracks, and it isn’t true! 🙂 I just like to fully enjoy a track and try it in different contexts until I finally get bored of it.
I also love going through my older folders and shelves to rediscover forgotten gems and bring them back to life.
Style wise, you can expect, as always, a blend of house, techno, minimal, and electro..”
READ MORE