London-based Belarusian Troubadour Sasha Ilyukevich and his band ‘The Highly Skilled Migrants’ create an incomparable brew of post punk electric energy and topical lyricism. Ilyukevich writes songs in Russian to capture the essence of Eastern-Slavic heritage but translates his lyrics into English to convey the ideas behind his songs and share the nuances of language and emotion. His songs fuse Western and Eastern-Slavic sensibilities to bridge a historical divide and engage understanding between two cultures to reverse prejudice between East and West. 

“Wow…Sasha Ilyukevich & the Highly Skilled Migrants…They’re Something Else…and what a name!” – Max Reinhardt, Late Junction, BBC Radio 3

“Real Discovery for me” – Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6

“A Genuine Individualist” – CEEL (CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN LONDON REVIEW)

“Utterly Compelling” – Morning Star (Socialist Daily Newspaper published in Great Britain)

“Transporting, Wild and Inspiring” – Clem Cecil, Pushkin House

“Exceptional Artist” – Josephine Burton, Dash Arts

https://www.sashailyukevich.com/

Agathe Max: 2020 brings a wind of change and it’s the year to dare everything we haven’t tried before. Not used to play songs on the guitar, I will take the opportunity to play new materials , out of any confort zone but probably the best way to share my pop surrender in good company and in my favorite gem music venue that Servant Quarter Jazz is.