Artist in Exile: Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko’s Ceramic Knives (Ukrainian Spring Songs)

Photo Courtesy of Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko

Ceramic Knives is a Ukrainian-American band blending raw folk roots with experimental textures, a post-punk attitude, and haunting harmonies. Formed by multi-disciplinary artist and City of Asylum Writer-in-Residence Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko and his wife, vocalist Mari Frazé-Frazénko, the duo reimagines traditional Eastern European songs through a cinematic lens—part ritual, part rebellion. Their stripped-down live performances weave together ghostly vocals, atmospheric guitar, and analog electronics, evoking a sound that is both ancient and eerily contemporary. Now based in Pittsburgh, Ceramic Knives channels themes of exile, memory, and resistance into a sonic landscape that cuts deep. 

Featured Musicians:

Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko: guitar, vocals

Mari Frazé-Frazénko: bass, vocals

Vsiudysvoia: vocals

Lesya Verba: vocals, bandura

Hugo Cruz: drums

About the Artist:

Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko is a Ukrainian filmmaker, writer, musician, and translator from Halychyna—a region suspended somewhere between Central Europe and historical amnesia. He is the author of the bestselling novel Nothing Is Under Control and one half of Ceramic Knives, the love child of a blues guitar and a haunted drum machine. As co-founder of OFF Laboratory, he publishes and translates voices silenced or distorted by war, exile, and censorship. Currently based in Pittsburgh, Oleksandr is a Research Scholar at Chatham University and was previously a Research Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Writer-in-Residence at City of Asylum. 

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.