In this interview, we delve into the world of OAK9000, who share her inspirations and unique perspectives.
1. Introduce Yourself to the Casawi Community: What drives you? What's your artistic vision, and what sets you apart from the crowd?
Hi everyone, my name is Alyona. I’m a music curator currently based in Milan, Italy. Some of you might know me as oak9000, a moniker born from dual inspiration: a cinematic tribute to Kubrick’s HAL 9000 and the deeper roots of my own heritage. In Cyrillic, my surname contains the word oak, a sacred tree in centuries of Slavic folklore and mythology. It symbolises strength, protection and wisdom. My project blends futuristic intelligence with ancestral grounding. The name becomes a bridge between ancient and future visions. It reflects a world where advanced machines and old-world spirits coexist.
2. City Inspirations: How has your city influenced your artistic path? Share how its streets, culture, and energy have molded your work.
The city influences me constantly. Milan has shaped my artistic path through its contrasts. The silence of Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa, the sculptural stillness of Cimitero Monumentale, the skyline of rooftops, and the sharp lines of skyscrapers, all of these places carry a mix of mystery, architecture and quiet intensity that naturally finds its way into my sound.
3. Creative Process: What fuels your creativity? Whether it's a ritual, a muse, or a moment of clarity, we're keen to learn.
My creativity comes from places and atmospheres. I collect sounds from the cities I visit. These moments ground me and open something intuitive. Creativity emerges when I allow myself to drift, listen and connect with the environment. The process is fuelled by travel and solitude. I need moments where I can be alone, listen inward and let new ideas speak to me. I’ve carried this instinct since childhood, when I used to record live radio shows onto old audio cassettes at home, discovering sound as something magical and personal. Now I trust the same process: staying open, moving through the world and letting ideas arrive on their own.
4. City Lifestyle and Art: How the places you lived influenced your career and work?
I began working as a fashion model right after finishing law university back home, and what was supposed to be a short adventure turned into many years living and working across Asia: Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Bali and many more. In early 2020, just a few weeks before the pandemic started, I was working within Europe and got stuck in Milan during the lockdowns. This unexpectedly opened a new chapter in my life and creative journey in ways I still find difficult to describe.
5. Latest or Upcoming Projects: Give us a glimpse into your current endeavors and what lies ahead on your creative journey.
As a DJ, I often play at fashion events but I’m equally drawn to underground parties, private clubs or festivals. My practice is now expanding into music production and audiovisual art. I’m deeply passionate about photography, embroidery and sound design. I regularly host radio shows, which allow me to experiment with long-form storytelling and deeper sonic research. Beyond these appearances, I’m developing curatorial projects that blend sound, fashion and visual culture. I collaborate with small independent brands and magazines on conceptual sound direction and I work with artists and galleries on installations, audio experiences and cross-disciplinary narratives. In parallel, I’m studying generative art and coding. I like to explore how technology, sound and images can merge into new forms.
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Instagram: @oak9000
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/oak9000
Staff
Casawi Magazine: based in Milan, we celebrate youth culture, creativity, and community across fashion, sports, music, art, design & more.
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