Ilana is an independent singer, songwriter and bassist from the Netherlands, best known as the frontwoman and creative voice of the international rock project Fallout GroundZero.

Her musical identity combines Emorock • cinematic rock, heavy bass-driven arrangements and layered vocal textures with emotionally direct songwriting. As both vocalist and bassist, Ilana plays a central role in shaping the sound and character of the project.

Her songwriting explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, equality, relationships and opposition to war, often approaching personal and social subjects from an uncompromising perspective. Her lyrics are predominantly written in English, reflecting the international character of Fallout GroundZero and its collaboration with musicians across different countries.

Music gradually became the place where those subjects could come together.

Initially  started singing alone. Then the label introduced her to other musicians, and something changed almost immediately.

She describes the experience of having a lead guitarist and second vocalist supporting her as one of the best things that happened to her musically. Instead of feeling like she had to carry everything alone, she discovered the confidence that comes from having people beside her.

That support became an important part of Fallout GroundZero.

“I needed people on stage who would make sure I opened up, felt more confident and supported.”

Performing with other musicians is therefore about much more than simply playing songs. It is about trust, energy and having people around her who help bring out the performer she knows she can be.

And perhaps most importantly, she says it has made music mentally much more fun again.

A Voice Without Borders

For Ilana, music is not limited by geography, genre or conventional band structures.

It is a way of connecting people, experiences and ideas — turning individual stories into something that can be shared across borders.

Ilana Desya Volkov — voice, bass, songwriting and the person behind Fallout GroundZero.

FROM BEDTIME STORIES TO EMOROCK

Ilana's relationship with music did not begin with the idea of becoming a rock frontwoman.

She started writing through personal experiences and everyday observations. She even began creating bedtime stories for children, including a children's bedtime song. Over time, those stories became a way of processing the things that occupied her mind. She wrote about being a lesbian, gender, violence, inequality, helping people who were unhoused, and the experiences that shaped her own life.

Question: Can you share a little about your personal life? Is there someone special in your life? I know you live with your dog and your dad, but do you ever feel ready to have a place of your own?

FAMILY, ZEUS & LIFE OUTSIDE MUSIC

Alongside my music, my life revolves around my dog Zeus and my father, they’re my family.

After leaving St. Petersburg, we lost touch with much of our extended family due to their inability to accept my gender identity. It’s a painful chapter I prefer not to dwell on; however, my past does not define who I am.

My focus is on building my own life, pursuing my music, and caring for Zeus and my dad. He has supported me in leaving Russia to seek a brighter future and better education, creating opportunities for myself. Although my dad is unable to cook due to being 85% disabled, I remain here to take care of him. There’s no room for sadness; we prioritize family and support one another.

I have been single for about three years and am currently focused on my work and the projects I’m building in music and life.

Embarking on parenthood marks a new chapter in my life, but I don’t intend to prioritize it in the near future, perhaps in about 15 years, haha!

Then there’s the issue of obtaining my driver’s license.

I’ve lol failed my driving test twice already, but I’m confident I’ll pass eventually, lol!

MUSIC WITH A PURPOSE

Question: What inspired your transition from bedtime stories in the hospital to performing live on stage?

Um yes well...

Well, it was not really a big plan.

Before Fallout became what it is now, I already liked helping people. I worked on volunteer projects where we fixed old computers for children who did not have one. We repaired laptops and gave them to children for free. That was the whole project when it started. Slowly, people with no large income started bringing theirs too, so we could fix those as well and children could use them for school.

Gender equality, violence against all genders, women, kids, men, animals and people who have no home. You can't fix the world by telling people what to do, but we can make them think deeper by writing slightly off, by not being direct. I like to say something happy when it actually twists the whole track away from the obvious.

We all can write the apple is green, while it comes in many colors, flavours and textures. So to me it is to find what fits to me and also the band's beliefs. Like the not popular track "It's Here I Belong." I'll give a short explanation if you like, here.

I don't really want to make political speeches about these things. I would rather tell stories. My stories, but also stories from other people. When I write and sing about something, it feels different. It is not only words anymore. There is feeling in it. I need to feel the emotion.

For me, music can start very quiet, almost like telling a story to someone. Then it can become bigger. I use my bass and start humming the words till the flow works for me. Sometimes we gather online and all give their input and add melody.

That is what I like about Fallout.

When we play live, I can see what the music does to people. Some people laugh. Some people shout. Some people cry. Lol, then I cry too lol. That's the beauty of music, isn't it?

I think that is why I want to make music. Not only to make words, but to make people feel something. They pay for a memory, a time to talk about for weeks, a new memory. So I have to try to get the band in my direction to make that the best memory possible. It is also the band's excitement and will be our memory after the evening. The crowd and us spend time together and I want the best time ever. It's so much fun.

...to an international Emo (tional) lol, a collection of bass guitars and a future bunker studio outside the city.

That story is still being written.

And this time, were not writing it alone.

ILANA DESYA VOLKOV
Voice. Bass. Stories. Fallout GroundZero.