Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruslana Sultanova.
Hi Ruslana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Music has always been at the center of my life. I have a classical education in piano, and since childhood I’ve been fascinated by the world of musicians and that feeling of freedom on stage, where everything else disappears.
I began in a teenage rock band and moved through powerful rock and alternative sounds toward more experimental and avant-garde trip-hop. I write my own music and lyrics and have gone through every stage of artistic growth — as a performer, creator, and storyteller.
Alongside performing, I worked as a music journalist and critic, writing about new releases and emerging artists for a magazine. Later, I moved into the professional side of the industry — PR, artist management, A&R, and festival organization — learning how music connects with people from every angle.
Everything changed after February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Life was suddenly put on pause, and I had to rebuild myself from the ground up. After a long period of uncertainty and searching for a sense of home, I found myself in Los Angeles — a city where you start from zero and have to prove yourself all over again.
Here, I continued my path in music, joining Resilience Entertainment as a tour and content manager while developing my own DJ career. DJing became a kind of therapy — a way to speak without words and guide people through sound.
I also keep releasing my own tracks and writing new music. I share my DJ sets through my series GATE on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud — each mix feels like a new departure, a new takeoff.
Music remains the only thing that truly makes me happy — without it, my life would be a mistake.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has never been smooth, but it has always been exciting. As a teenager, no one taught me how the music industry worked — how to promote myself, perform live, or even handle interviews. Back then, Spotify didn’t exist, and I learned everything by doing: fumbling through my first live streams, feeling embarrassed, figuring out how to speak on camera, dealing with criticism, and slowly gaining confidence. Every mistake was a lesson, and over time I learned how to navigate the industry and trust my instincts.
Then everything changed after February 24, 2022. Life was suddenly put on pause, and the path became even steeper. I had to rebuild my confidence, learn to trust people again, and find a new home and inspiration from scratch. Moving to Los Angeles meant starting from zero, proving myself in a completely new city, and still staying true to my music and creativity.
My journey here is still just beginning. I’m a small artist trying to be heard in Los Angeles, sharing my techno with a touch of melancholy, hoping people not only listen but feel and understand me. It’s not easy, but I refuse to give up. Every challenge so far has taught me resilience and shaped the artist I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work both behind the scenes and on stage. At Resilience Entertainment, I handle tour logistics with my team and director, and over the past three years we’ve traveled extensively, organizing countless North American tours. At the same time, I’m a DJ and producer, creating and performing melancholic, high-energy techno, sharing my sets through my series GATE on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.
Right now, my DJ sets feel like flashes…:) brief moments where I can share my music and I really hope to play more of them in the future. I’m proud to balance supporting artists behind the scenes while developing my own voice, connecting deeply with audiences, and continuing to push boundaries, even when it’s not easy.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m not easily settled 🙂 I am strong and I won’t give up until I literally stop breathing. Ideas are constantly bouncing around my head, I work tirelessly, and I’m still hopelessly in love with music… just like a teenager sneaking into their first concert.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ru_s/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ru_s
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ruslanasultanova
Image Credits
Photo: Svetlana Soroka, Evgeniya Tokareva, Toli Doroshenko
