With their haunting new release “Don’t Cry” on Yulia Niko’s AXEPT label, Anturage, Alexey Union, and Catmoonk have tapped into something deeper than just a club track — they’ve built an emotional journey that bridges melancholy and hope. We sat down with the trio to unpack the creative alchemy behind the song, from teary studio sessions to late-night revelations and the spiritual heartbeat driving their sound.
Let’s start with the vocals. They carry so much vulnerability and atmosphere. Catmoonk, what emotional space were you in when writing and recording them?
I was at home when I stumbled on that guitar loop you hear in the break of the track. It hit me so hard that I picked up my own guitar, played it back, and just started improvising. Twenty minutes later, half the song was already done. There was something really emotional in the air. I still have the original version — just one guitar and a couple of effects — where this really sad story first came to life.
That vocal energy must’ve sparked something in the production process. Alexey, how did Catmoonk’s early takes influence the direction you and Anturage took with the track?
Yura and I have been working together for years, and we’ve always known he’s up for bold experiments. I’ll tell you a secret — while recording this track, there were real tears. Tears from how beautiful the piece turned out, and from Yura’s voice. We’re always chasing a new sound, and I think with this one — with Anturage — we finally nailed it.
Anturage, you and Alexey have a well-established chemistry. What did Catmoonk’s presence bring out in you creatively that might not have emerged otherwise?
I honestly think that ever since Yura came on board, my tracks have taken on a whole new color thanks to his powerful vocals — and “Don’t Cry” is no exception. We also have a great time working together in the studio, and at some point, we realized there’s real magic happening in our creative process. Right now, we’re also working on our new projects Prana Flow and True Motion, and we’ll be presenting our joint live show really soon.
There’s a real duality in the track—melancholy on one hand, but a kind of hopeful lightness too. Catmoonk, was that contrast something you were aiming to express, or did it evolve naturally?
Yeah, I’m really glad you caught that — there’s definitely a kind of hopeful light at the core of the track. The main character saying goodbye to someone he loves, but it’s not just some sad ending. I wanted to show both the feeling of something coming to an end and the calm, peaceful feeling of passing away. I wasn’t trying to write a typical breakup song — and as I was working on the lyrics, the story kind of shifted on its own. The character isn’t saying goodbye because of a breakup — he’s saying goodbye because he’s leaving this world. And the lyrics are written in a way that you only realize it right before the final chorus — and by then, it hits in a totally different way than the first one. That’s actually why the track’s called “Don’t Cry.”
Releasing “Don’t Cry” on Yulia Niko’s AXEPT label adds a new layer of credibility and community. What did it mean to each of you to have this project find a home there?
Catmoonk – Even though I’m still kinda new to the industry, I’d already heard so many good things about Yulia — about her creative journey and everything she’s achieved. I started following her on socials maybe three months before she played our track and offered to release it on her label. For me, it was one of those wow moments — like, “Damn, this is exactly what we need!”
Alexey – I’ve known Yulia for a long time and I totally trust her taste and her love for music. It felt like the perfect idea to drop our new single on her platform. Yulia is an amazing woman — and honestly, that’s what our track is about.
Anturage – I’ve been a fan of Yulia Niko’s work for a long time, so it’s a huge honor for me to release this track on her new and very promising label. I’m super grateful for the trust and the opportunity.
Alexey, your sound often leans into introspection and spirituality. How did you weave that into a track that’s also danceable and lyrically driven?
We’re always experimenting with sound! I’ve constantly got different noises in my head — nature, animals, even the sound of water. Sometimes just the rustle of grass gives me an idea! My main motto is: “Go for it, man — experiments are waiting for you!”
The rhythm section feels like the heartbeat of the track. Anturage, how did you approach building that deep, rolling groove while keeping space for the emotion to breathe?
To me, the true heart of the track is the guitar and the vocal. Yura originally sent me an acoustic version with just his voice and guitar, and that’s when I suggested we turn it into a club version — which is the one we’re releasing now. As for the drum section, I was actually inspired by our earlier track together — ‘Turn Around’ with Alexey Union and Catmoonk. I even borrowed a few elements from that project.
Catmoonk, your background is incredibly diverse—opera, jazz, rock, electronic. Were there any unexpected techniques or influences that made their way into this song?
Funny enough, none of the techniques you mentioned actually made it into the track. I ended up using the one thing that’s hardest for me — falsetto. In a way, it even sounds a bit like crying.
There’s a quote from you, Alexey, about this project being driven by a “shared passion to create something beautiful.” Can you tell us about a moment in the process that really captured that feeling?
There was this one special moment I still remember clearly. I just couldn’t get the chorus right — everything sounded either too basic or too overcomplicated. Then, one night, when I was about to give up, I sat down with my instrument, turned off everything else, and just played the chords super simply, like I was talking to myself. That was it — the melody, the lyrics, the mood — it all came together. It felt really honest. I realized sometimes you’ve just gotta let go and let the song come to you.
When the final version came together, what was the first full listen like for each of you? Was there a moment when you thought, yes, this is the one?
Alexey – When we finished writing this track, the first thing I felt was pure euphoria. You know that feeling when everything inside you is buzzing, like you’ve captured something real, something powerful? We listened back to the demo, and I just sat there smiling, because I knew — this is exactly what was meant to be. It felt like we created something truly special. And that feeling… it’s better than any kind of recognition. That’s the moment when you go, “Yeah, this is why I make music.”
Catmoonk – Oh, that moment was pure joy. It really hit me that we’d created something new. I couldn’t wait to perform it live — and when I finally did, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. I cried right there on stage.
Anturage – We went through a bunch of versions while working on it. At one point, I actually got kind of oversaturated from listening to the vocal so much — I envy anyone who gets to hear it for the first time (laughs). But in the end, we landed on something really solid, and we’re all super happy with how it turned out.
Finally—could this be the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between the three of you? Any whispers of future tracks, remixes, or even live performances?
Catmoonk – Why not? We work super well together, we’re friends, and our vision for music is pretty much aligned. And yes we’re cooking something new right now.
Alexey – We’re always in touch — as friends and as a team. Of course, we’ve got plans for new tracks. Ideas are already flying around, and we can’t wait to get back in the studio. As for shows — yep, we’ve got a big one coming this summer. Can’t spill all the details yet, but we’ll be announcing it soon on our socials. Stay tuned — it’s gonna be fire!
Anturage – As for the three of us — this definitely won’t be our last time working together.
