He is the lead singer of Okean Elzy, Ukraine’s most successful rock band that is loved beyond its borders. From an undisclosed location in his war-torn country, he spoke with the HFPA’s Elisabeth Sereda about the importance of music during desperate times, the international community of artists and why he chose to stay and defend Ukraine. Watch also Okean Elzy’s newest song video, a cover version of Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” – called “UA So Beautiful” – dedicated to Ukraine: