Following the release of his new EP, I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, Australian electronic music pioneer What So Not unveils a new short documentary and full rooftop performance filmed during a recent creative trip to Kyiv alongside acclaimed Ukrainian artist Alina Pash.

Documenting Ukraine’s Creative Community

More than a performance film, the two-part project documents Ukraine’s creative community and the artists continuing to make music despite the realities of war. Filmed during a period of intensified aerial attacks on Kyiv, the documentary offers an intimate look inside the city’s music scene through the eyes of those determined to keep creating, collaborating, and preserving their culture under extraordinary circumstances.

The journey begins as What So Not returns to Ukraine to continue his creative work with Alina Pash following their collaborations on “EVEREST,” “Candy Flipping,” and “Don’t Wanna Leave Yet”. During the trip, he recorded with Ukrainian musicians who remain unable to leave the country because of wartime restrictions, gaining a deeper appreciation for the importance of continuing to amplify Ukrainian stories, language, and artistic expression.

The documentary opens on the morning of July 2, 2026, as emergency sirens echo across Kyiv following an overnight wave of attacks on the capital. Against that backdrop, What So Not captures the contrast between uncertainty and everyday life – from studio sessions and preparations for a rooftop performance with Alina Pash to smoke rising in the distance, air raid sirens, and the search for shelter.

“I’m still getting over how normalized it is here. Coming straight to the studio after an attack and writing songs about throwing raves after curfew in underground shelters.”

From Studio Sessions To The Rooftop Performance

Throughout the film, viewers are invited into Kyiv’s creative spaces, witnessing studio sessions, conversations, and personal moments that reveal the resilience of the city’s artistic community. Rather than centering solely on the circumstances surrounding them, the documentary focuses on the people behind the music and the role creative collaboration can play in preserving humanity during times of uncertainty.

The journey culminates in an intimate rooftop performance overlooking Kyiv, where What So Not and Alina Pash celebrate their shared work against one of the city’s most recognizable skylines. More than a traditional live set, the performance becomes a symbol of hope and a reflection of music’s ability to connect people across borders.

Shortly after the performance, the documentary captures another night of intensified attacks, offering a stark reminder of the environment in which the project was created.

“I knew this was a possibility coming here. But it’s hard to explain the feeling of seeing it out the window, hearing the sirens, feeling the vibrations of the explosions. The rush to get down to a shelter. The uncertainty. The sleeplessness. Trying to make the most of it with a great group of people who live this every single day. I think in that moment I saw the true beauty of Ukraine – the people, their passion, and their resilience.”

The Story Behind The Ukrainian Collaborations

The film provides deeper context for the collaborations featured on I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, revealing the relationships and experiences that shaped some of the EP’s most personal moments. While the project explores themes of transformation, connection, and human experience, the documentary brings audiences into the real-world environments and creative partnerships that inspired the music.

For Alina Pash, the project also serves as an opportunity to continue amplifying Ukrainian voices and sharing the country’s creative identity with audiences around the world.

The documentary arrives as many Ukrainian artists continue to face significant barriers to international collaboration. By traveling to Kyiv rather than asking collaborators to leave their home country, What So Not chose to immerse himself in the creative community that inspired the music – documenting not only the songs themselves, but also the people, places, and stories behind them.

The release further expands the philosophy behind I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY, a project rooted in curiosity, connection, and the creative spirit that has long defined electronic music culture. Throughout the EP rollout, What So Not has prioritized authentic collaboration, intimate experiences, and artistic exploration over scale alone.

Long recognized as one of electronic music’s most influential innovators, What So Not has spent more than a decade building a career defined by global collaboration and boundary-pushing production. His ongoing creative relationship with Alina Pash stands among his most meaningful – not only because of the music they have created together, but because of the story behind it.

More than a documentary or live performance, the project tells a story rooted in Ukraine while speaking to artists and creative communities everywhere – a testament to music’s ability to preserve identity, foster connection, and provide hope when it is needed most.