Blanka Barbara is building something bigger than just a label. With UNTOLD, she’s creating a platform for electronic music that thrives on emotion, narrative, and sonic experimentation. Blurring genre boundaries and embracing cinematic storytelling, UNTOLD is a home for immersive soundscapes that demand deeper listening.
The label launched with Mirali, a track originally composed for the theatre production KS6: Small Forward, now reimagined as a standalone release. With the debut single out now and a follow up EP from Blanka soon to be revealed, we spoke to Blanka about the inspirations behind the label, the importance of rhythmic storytelling, and how she sees UNTOLD evolving beyond just music.
What was the defining moment that made you decide to launch UNTOLD? Was it a long-term goal, or did something specific spark the idea?
UNTOLD has been a long-term aspiration: a stylish platform for electronic music misfits, defying genre boundaries and pushing creative limits. A quarter of the 21st century has passed, and we live under constant bombardment of stimuli in our daily lives. As a result, we demand more immersive, emotionally engaging entertainment. UNTOLD is the direct result of that epiphany – a commitment to curating both the sonic landscape and the overall sensory experience.
Another thought that I’ve been carrying with me for a while is the power of a leitmotif in music. My classical music training instilled in me a deep appreciation for narrative – the way a 40-minute symphony unfolds a story through its structure and counterpoint of melodic and emotional shifts. This makes active listening and the appreciation of musical phrases even more important. My work as a composer and producer has been a journey of exploring how to translate that narrative power into electronic music. UNTOLD seeks to bridge that gap, creating music that’s accessible and engaging, but also rewards deeper listening and emotional connection.
‘Mirali’ started as part of ‘KS6: Small Forward’ – how does its journey from theatre to label release change the way you think about the track?
In theatre or film composition, I am writing music to serve a specific dramatic purpose, evoking a precise emotion at a critical juncture. The cinematic, uplifting feel of ‘Mirali’ isn’t accidental; it’s a direct evolution of the joy and absolute happiness portrayed in the original scene. As the ‘KS6’ play is about a basketball player turned activist Katya Snytsina, who leads the London Lions team to the win of the Eurocup in 2024 (true story!), my goal was to capture that moment of explosive bliss absolutely.
‘Mirali’, which launched UNTOLD, gained a new life as a standalone piece of music, evoking a broader storyline in a different context.
UNTOLD is described as focusing on emotive and cinematic sounds. Do you see it as a space for experimentation, or will it have a more defined sonic identity?
UNTOLD is definitely a space for experimentation, but it’s a curated kind of experimentation. Think of it as a palette of colours – we’re setting the overall tone, but creators are free to mix and match those colours, playing with textures and shades to create unique and attractive soundscapes. The unifying factor is the focus on creating immersive experiences, which allows for considerable creative freedom while maintaining a cohesive label identity.
Your career has taken you from underground club residencies to theatre stages and radio broadcasts. Do you see UNTOLD as a culmination of these influences, or as something entirely new?
For me, all performances are about storytelling, atmosphere, and emotion; a masterclass in the intersection of various art forms – sound, visuals, and setting – working together. UNTOLD is a platform designed to explore the full potential of those influences without boundaries. It’s not merely a culmination of my experiences, but a springboard to new creative explorations.
You’ve created original music for theatre productions, including the Belarus Free Theatre commission. How does scoring for theatre compare to writing club-focused music?
In theatre, the music is subservient to the narrative; it’s a tool to enhance the emotional impact of the scenes and advance the plot. My work with the Belarus Free Theatre, for example, required a precise understanding of the dramatic context to create music that perfectly complemented the action and emotion of the actors. With DJing at a nightclub or for my own curated events, however, I’m the captain of the ship. I can fully direct the narrative, choosing the emotional arc, the sonic textures, and the overall journey for the listener. There’s a greater degree of freedom to experiment and explore unconventional ideas without the constraints of a pre-existing narrative.
UNTOLD launches with your own music, but do you plan to bring in emerging artists, or will it be a highly curated outlet for your personal projects?
UNTOLD serves as my own commitment to emotive, cinematic soundscapes blended with the appeal of dance music. The emphasis is on creating unique, immersive live experiences. We’re looking for artists who are not only talented but also ready to think outside the box, to collaborate, and to drive their output creatively. For example, our upcoming ‘Undying Sounds’ event at the Southbank Centre in London on the 11th of April perfectly embodies this vision: merging cinematic electronic music, jazz fusion, and intricate AI-powered visuals. This event demonstrates our commitment to fostering collaboration, pushing sensory boundaries, and feeling completely free when creating new musical experiences.
How important is rhythmic variation to your work, and do you think broken beat elements will be a signature of the label?
For UNTOLD, I envision a diverse range of rhythmic approaches, all used creatively to tell enticing stories. Whether experimenting with percussion or exploring exotic instruments or complex harmonies and chords, the label is less about a specific musical element and more about a commitment to exploring the expressive potential of rhythm within emotionally resonant soundscapes. We value creativity and individuality above rigid adherence to a specific style.
Looking ahead, do you see UNTOLD as remaining a label first and foremost, or could it expand into events, live performances, or even other forms of multimedia storytelling?
UNTOLD is not just a record label; it’s a platform for immersive storytelling. While the music releases are crucial, we aim to significantly expand into curated events and live performances. This integrated approach will allow us to create truly unique experiences that blend music with other artistic elements to amplify the emotional impact of untold stories.
Mirali is out now on UNTOLD
