Saya Siiang is the creative pseudonym of Anastasia Kushnarova – a singer, songwriter and producer from Saint-Petersburg. With atmospheric arrangements and expressive vocal performances, her music is a melancholic yet electrifying fusion of jazz, alternative R&B, rock and hip-hop. She creates a haunting melodic universe where vulnerability and strength intertwine, shaping a sound that feels both intimate and powerful.

Classically trained from the age of five, Anastasia’s musical journey began in Kirovsk, Murmansk Oblast, where she studied piano and vocal performance. Over time, she began searching for her own voice, stepping beyond the rigid confines of her music education to experiment and evolve. Performing at intimate shows, she gradually shaped her identity as an artist. Later, moving to Saint Petersburg and becoming enchanted by the city's vibrant jazz scene, she immersed herself in its energy, finding in it the spark that would ignite her passion for songwriting and composition.

As she honed her sound and began releasing original music under the name KUSHNAROVA, her work started resonating beyond the underground scene. One of her songs was featured on a compilation album by Ivan Dorn’s label, Masterskaya, and later, her tracks gained radio play on Studio 21.

In 2018, she began collaborating with Kito Jempere, eventually contributing to his 2023 album Green Monster. As part of Kito Jempere Band, she performed at Chess & Jazz, Afisha Picnic, Stereoleto, Signal and Present Perfect Festival (PPF), further expanding her presence

in the live music scene. Her work with Kito

is also featured in his book, solidifying her place in this creative collaboration.

Her live presence grew alongside her artistic evolution. She took the stage

at some of the country’s most renowned venues, marking milestones with performances at the Alexandrinsky Theatre and as an opener for Jacob Banks on his tour.

Under the alias Saya Siiang, Anastasia has reinvented herself as both an artist and a producer, shaping every element of her music — from lyrics to instrumentation — while also collaborating with other producers. Her sound is raw yet intricate, intimate yet cinematic — a space where genres collide, exploring themes of emotional turmoil, identity and love. While her style remains ever-evolving, her music is bound by a singular thread—

a vision so distinct that every note carries her unmistakable essence.

Her live performances mirror this deeply personal approach. In July 2022, she unveiled her new sound at Saint Petersburg’s legendary bookstore, Podpisnie Izdaniya, as part of the ‘Concerts at Podpisnie’ series organised by Anton Boyarskikh from Dizzy Dutch Duck. It was there that Bare Your Soul, one of her most intimate and raw compositions, made its debut. A year later, in 2023, she returned to the same venue to play a DJ set b2b with lovvlovver as part of the bookstore’s anniversary celebration.

Continuing to explore different musical textures, Saya Siiang has also ventured into Russian-language post-punk with the track Кокаинетка — a haunting reinterpretation of Alexander Vertinsky’s poetry, blending his lyricism with a stark, contemporary edge. Also, her track Dorian, another defining moment for Saya Siiang, was featured on NTS Radio London, expanding her international reach.

Currently, Saya Siiang is working on her most ambitious project yet—her upcoming album Poppy Flower. A reflection of her artistic  evolution, the album embodies the full spectrum of her musical influences, from traditional jazz to alternative rock, from hip-hop to alternative R&B. Rather than adhering to a single genre, Poppy Flower is an unfiltered exploration of sound and self, tied together by the one element that defines her completely—her voice.