Mykyta: Everything Is Allowed

Musical producer, event organiser and DJ Mykyta Hreshnov has made an oath never to settle for mediocrity. Originally from Odesa, Ukraine, and now based in London, Mykyta is convinced that the only way to do something is to do it well, and has found his own recipe to make it happen.

Try, Fail, Observe

How would you describe this concept and its philosophy?

For me, “everything is allowed” is not about chaos or an attempt to do everything at once. It is also not about becoming cross-eyed trying to keep multiple things within your gaze at the same time. To me, it is more about taking steps in unobvious directions and making decisions that some might consider illogical, incorrect, strange, or too bold.

The goal is not to go against the system, but to create something new. To do that, you need to step outside the box and allow yourself some freedom. You have to choose your own limits, what is acceptable for you personally and what is not, and how far you are willing to go. The trajectory of this journey primarily depends on where you want to go and how you would like to get there.

Do you remember the moment in your life when this realisation came to you? How did it feel?

I do not remember a specific moment, and I do not think there was one. I think it came to me gradually, through life experience, even while growing up.

I watched the people around me, especially those I admired, and noticed that most of them had no boundaries in their minds. They did not follow a script. Instead, they wrote their own story, based on their own goals.

How did this reflect on your creative journey?

Realising this influenced my creative path in music significantly. I have loved music since I was a child. I will always remember my first encounter with it. When I was six years old, I discovered Linkin Park and Eminem. I could never explain exactly why those two artists resonated with me so strongly, but after discovering them, I never stopped listening to music.

At that age, I also joined a music school. Unexpectedly for a child, it was a voluntary decision. I found a violin at home and begged my parents to let me learn to play it. They allowed it under one condition: that I would promise to graduate. I kept that promise and even played in an orchestra for a year afterwards.

While pursuing classical music professionally, I continued exploring other genres. I started with rap, then rock, rock and roll, blues, and jazz. Eventually, I discovered electronic music and decided I wanted to try playing it myself.

 

 

What in this philosophy keeps you going today?

My desire to create and to turn my visions into reality. I have already begun, and there are several more projects in development.

One of them that has already been realised is the Aerobica party series. Aerobica is not just a party. It is more of a space where people are surrounded by music, aesthetics, sports, movement, and dance.

The idea came from my personal desire to make people move on the dance floor. Often at parties people simply drink and stand in corners, nodding to the beat at best. I wanted people to actually dance and let go.

I decided to create a thematic experience and build a narrative around it. That is how Aerobica came to life. The aesthetics of the sport are vibrant, guests can dress in comfortable thematic clothing, and follow an “instructor” who guides them on how to move. This helps people relax and removes the fear of being judged for how they dance.
Yes, it makes the fun more curated, but it is still fun.

 

That is why I love music so much, because
it can change your mental state in seconds.

 

What is your “everything”?

Music. It occupies an enormous part of my life. I have been connected to it since childhood. Most definitely music.

Another thing I am deeply passionate about is good food and good drinks, especially natural wine. I would describe it as a culture of consumption, gastronomy and music.
Music and gastronomy are actually very similar in their essence. You cannot approach either of them without genuine feeling. When I play a DJ set, I treat it as storytelling. I take listeners on a journey.

For me it is almost like a shamanic ritual. I clear people’s minds before guiding them through a kind of threshold.

It is not only the music that shapes this ritual. The space where it is played is also extremely important. What it looks like, how the lighting works, the acoustics, the speakers.

I am also beginning to focus on production. Alongside digging and selecting music, I want to create and release my own tracks.

 

It would make me very happy
if more people followed
their passions and at least took
the first step towards their dreams.

 

“Everything” is a very broad term. How do you find your “everything”?

It is very simple and very complicated at the same time. You have to try. Try, fail, observe, try something else, listen to yourself, and look for a response. When there is a response, when you feel a certain energy, that is the direction to follow. Then you try again, fail again, and keep trying regardless.

How do you define the elements that “everything” consists of?

It is a state of consciousness developed through observation. When you play music, you learn to feel the space, the energy, and people’s reactions. All of this influences the music I choose and create.

As a performer, you set the mood, but you must also take the existing atmosphere into account. You should look for synergy between you and the dance floor. In a way, you complement each other. That is the shamanic ritual I referred to earlier.

What I enjoy most is working with the state of movement. When a track does not simply play but leads somewhere, provokes emotion, and places you in a certain mood. There is life in that. That is why I love music so much, because it can change your mental state in seconds.

 

 

Although I understand that
perfection is unattainable, it is
still something I aim for.

 

What is the role of “how” in your philosophy?

The “how” plays a very important role in my life. I follow a simple principle: if you do something, do it well. Doing something carelessly, simply for the sake of doing it, is the same as not doing it at all. For me, “how” is about attention to detail and the quality of the result.

Although I understand that perfection is unattainable, it is still something I aim for. At the same time, creativity should remain a flow. Ideas should be expressed rather than held inside and stagnating.

I will not wait endlessly for the perfect moment, but I will not rush either. What I create defines who I am. Somewhere between perfect and done, I try to find my balance.

Of course, there is also a shadow side to this approach. Is “done” sometimes better than “perfect”? After all, the pursuit of perfection can sometimes lead to doing nothing. Waiting for the perfect moment can result in burnout or anxiety, where nothing ever feels good enough.

How do you avoid losing depth in what you choose to do?

Through honesty. For me, depth lies in sincerity, first of all towards myself. I want to do things because I genuinely enjoy them, not because they are popular or simply effective.

Sometimes I may even overindulge in this. I cannot force myself to do something if I do not truly resonate with it. That being said, I am not against hype as a phenomenon. But if you are looking for real quality, you should not follow trends blindly. You should aim for value.

Do you consider your philosophy unique?

No, I do not think it is unique, but I do believe it works. The people who inspire me often follow a similar approach. I see how fruitful it can be. I am inspired by those who leap into the unknown, even when no one is cheering them on.

Do you think this philosophy should become more widespread in popular culture?

Through honesty. For me, depth lies in sincerity, first of all towards myself. I want to do things because I genuinely enjoy them, not because they are popular or simply effective.

Sometimes I may even overindulge in this. I cannot force myself to do something if I do not truly resonate with it. That being said, I am not against hype as a phenomenon. But if you are looking for real quality, you should not follow trends blindly. You should aim for value.

Instagram: @kid_a__
SoundCloud: Kid-A

Text by MAYA KIL

Photos by Simon Pella