LONDON (AP) – “Sirens interrupted our sleep, two suitcases hold everything that’s in the past, then go!” Antitila frontman Taras Topolia sings on the Ukrainian band’s new collaboration with Ed Sheeran.
It is a revamped version of Sheeran’s hit single “2Step”. Topolia has added a new verse and made a video to promote the remix. The version was released on Monday.
“I decided to explain in song how it was the first day of war for me and for millions of Ukrainians,” the singer-songwriter – and now soldier – told The Associated Press on Tuesday, speaking to Ukraine, Frontline. But about the war against the Russian invasion.
In the music video, Topolia leans towards a military vehicle while on patrol with his battalion, the soldier having become a reality of life for the recording artist.
“We were doing our job. And like driving and in the middle of our fighting situation in the Ukrainian army and just stopped on the road and took a GoPro camera and shot this video. It took maybe 10 or 15 minutes.”
Watch the “2Steps” video below.
He says that although it was dangerous, it made for a dramatic scene.
As the father of three children, Topolia wanted the video – which shows a young family fleeing a war by car – to tell the story of a “painful and difficult situation” for Ukrainian children.
“Ukraine is not only destruction and terrible wars. Ukraine is also talented, talented people. And children who have no longer any possibility to dance, sing, hone their skills, play in playgrounds. ”
Another part of the video shows young Ukrainian dancer Oleksiy Sokolov performing in a theatre. He later dances in the rubble of a destroyed building.
“He came back from Mariupol to Kyiv to film this video,” says Topoliya. “His parents say it’s very important for him and for him to participate.”
Anttilla befriended Sheeran via social media after tweeting to the British singer-songwriter ahead of her lead performance at “Concert for Ukraine” in the UK in April.
While the Ukrainian band was unable to perform remotely at the event, Sheeran invited Antyatila to team up with him on “2Step”.
Topolia explains that it is “very difficult” to keep up with the music while fighting in the war.
“I push myself to do something creative because the situation is not so creative. The situation is terrible. But believe me, I know that, what I am doing right now is just storing the emotions inside,” he said.
“When we win, all those sentiments will be spread by songs, by songs. And I will share it with the whole world, ”says Topolia.
“Feelings of happiness, new beginnings. The feelings of the new country, the new future that we will build together.
Over the next 12 months, royalties to stream the “2Step” remix video will be donated to Music Saves UA.
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