Today we’d like to introduce you to Polina Lymar.
Hi Polina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi. I’m Polina Lymar – music teacher, singer, and songwriter, creator of Apolinara – Symphonic Gothic Metal project registered as Apolinara LLC. I started my project in 2019. I was a musician for all my life. After trying myself in different genres and bands, I reached the conclusion that I need to empower myself and start releasing my own music.
I recorded the first single “Slowly” and decided to release it under a new name, and have a basic strategy for releasing and growing my business. I started with domain registration, publishing a web page, and growing a social media following focusing on Facebook and Instagram. I learned how to release music digitally around the world on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Deezer, YouTube music, etc.
After releasing the second single in 2020, I started to work on the full-length album. I finished arrangements of 11 tracks, contracted session musicians, and a sound producer. Also, I hired an art designer from Italy. I need to say that most of my musicians are Ukrainians as I was born and raised in Ukraine. I moved to the US 10 years ago.
After finishing all “artistic” side of the album (October 2021), I dove into the “formal” part – proper registration of copyrights, establishing royalty collection services through PRO and digital distribution; starting and operating an online shop for CDs and merch (e-commerce), etc. Yes, it’s not an easy or fun thing to dive into for an artist. As a musician, I prefer to concentrate on the creative component of my project.
But I made a decision to treat “Apolinara” as a business, not just a hobby. And I don’t have any “starting capital” to hire any sort of managers, operators, and promoters. At least now, when I’m just starting, I need to know “how things work” myself. And I believe in the short future it will be my big advantage as I will be able to hire the “right” people.
My debut album “Shadows and Signs” was released on Feb. 22, 2022. It is available on all streaming platforms and services that sell digital music. My CDs, T-shirts, Posters, and other merch are available at shop.apolinara.com
Apolinara LLC has a physical address in Delaware state, while I’m a resident of Morrisville, NC.
I really want you to highlight that my album was released just 2 days before Russia started an invasion of Ukraine. The album release should have become the happiest moment of my career but it didn’t. As I said, I moved to the US just 10 years ago, my family including my parents are in Ukraine right now.
Also several of the musicians who recorded music for the album are Ukrainians – some of them are in shelters or fighting, some had to run away to seek safety in Europe. It’s unspeakable and devastating. As Ukrainian American, I wrote to our local Representatives in Congress, joined several rallies, talked to news media, and performed (and will do more) other public activities in support of Ukraine.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think I answered this question in the previous step. Difficulties: Overcome personal fear that I cannot produce my music alone, breakthrough this concept that I need a proper, establish band…
I learn a lot of new skills about online management, social media, LLC operation, and e-commerce. I recorded my vocals for the album during a pandemic, it was challenging to find a working recording studio.
So I decided to invest in better sound equipment of my own and build a “sound room” at my home. So here, I learned a lot about sound treatment and noise proving, a recording process in general.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My project and company are Apolinara. Apolinara is me, it’s everything I wanted to do for a very long time, many years, but I didn’t dare. Apolinara creates music in the Symphonic Gothic Metal genre. Under the same artist’s name, I’m recording also acoustic covers of famous songs.
Also, I teach singing because I love music and I like to teach people who also love music. I’m a professional singer and songwriter. But for Apolinara, I became a lot more – manager, promoter, social media, e-commerce operator, etc. I guess for every artist, the biggest accomplishment should be actual art. For me, it’s my debut album release.
It happened on February 22, 2022. The title of the album is “Shadows and Signs”, and it’s available on every streaming platform and digital music sales shop. The physical CDs and other merch – in my new webshop – shop.apolinara.com.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Good things take time. Also, everything is possible but requires a lot of dedication. Discipline beats any talent.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@apolinara.com
- Website: https://www.apolinara.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apolinaraofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apolinaraofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Apolinara
- Other: https://shop.apolinara.com/
Image Credits
Almira Koshkina (https://almira-koshkina.com/)
