Hawaiian dark pop solo artist TABOO ZERO blends elements of rock, metal and electronica to form an alluring sound that she describes as “emotional, rebellious and ethereal.”
TABOO ZERO is the musical creation of Maria ‘Masha’ Timchenko, a dark pop artist based in Honolulu but with Slavic roots, who is the first musician we’ve spoken to from Hawaii. Masha’s musical journey began just over two years ago, when she was pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Justice at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. During her final semester, Mashsa became very ill, as she explains: “It felt like my brain was on fire, I found myself isolated, overwhelmed with emotion, and unsure of what would come next.”
It was then that writing poetry came to the fore, helped to keep Masha grounded, and slowly evolved into songwriting. Music became my lifeline, the one thing that helped me process everything I was going through,” she tells us. “It gave me a voice. It helped me understand who I really was.”
“Since then, I’ve been writing non-stop. I usually begin with a melody in my head, often accompanied by lyrics, and then collaborate with producers to bring the full vision to life. I’m incredibly grateful to Devon Lafoga, who has been an absolute godsend in shaping many of my songs. I also want to thank Sunstage Studio and Jordan Mamiya for breathing new life into my work through his amazing production.”
Masha describes TABOO ZERO as an artist project, working with a band of J5, Bart, Vivian (Tisna) and Lenore the Shredder, with whom she’s actively working on co-written material. In her words, the band is: “A deeply personal creative vision that’s growing into something bigger with the help of an incredible team. I am always looking for opportunities to take my project to a new heights.
And on what to expect from the project, Masha told us: “I would describe my sound as a fusion of dark, cinematic pop with raw emotion at its core. The sound blends moody electronic textures, haunting melodies, and edgy rock elements — all wrapped in a thought-provoking atmosphere. It’s intense, vulnerable, and a little rebellious. If you like music that hits both emotionally and sonically, that’s what I aim to deliver.”
Our latest taste of this is Heaven’s Door, which was released at the end of last month. It opens up with light instrumentals and engaging echoey vocals, which are joined by big chunky guitar chords and eerie synths. It soon explodes into a big singalong chorus “I’m knocking on the heaven’s door, But no-one’s there to let me in, Tell me where do I belong, I don’t hear the angels sing, It’s because I’m made of stone, And my veins are filled with venom, Maybe I don’t have a soul, And my mind is a lethal weapon.”
The pace drops in a laid-back verse that again builds in intensity with stabbing guitars leading into another catchy chorus. The pace drops again with high-pitched vocals and mellow instrumentals, before sinister laughs tee up a final blast of the chorus.
On the track, Masha told us: “The release of Heaven’s Door definitely came with its challenges. It was originally scheduled to go live across all major streaming platforms and social media on April 30, but due to unexpected technical issues, the rollout was only partially successful at first. Still, I’m grateful that the song found its way to listeners — and the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
“For those who haven’t heard it yet, Heaven’s Door is about is about acknowledging that sometimes you’re not the hero in someone else’s story — and that’s okay. The idea of ‘perfection’ is a myth. This song is for the underdogs, the ones who keep pushing forward even when the odds are against them. It’s raw, emotional, and empowering. So if you’re about to hit play, buckle in. Heaven’s Door is a dark pop anthem for anyone ready to step into their power, even if that means embracing a little chaos. Unleash your inner villain.”
Heaven’s Door follows on from a series of singles, including the slow-building February release Winter’s Kisses, and last year’s debut EP NOT SOBER, which includes the deliciously sensual Bleeding For You.
The TABOO ZERO sound is influenced by a wide range of sounds and artists, including t.A.T.u., Luverence, Три Дня Дождя, Evanescence, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, Teddy Swims, and Linkin Park.
And on what inspires her music, Masha told us: “A lot of my inspiration comes from personal experiences — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Music is how I process life, so it often reflects what I’m going through or feeling in the moment. That said, I also love stepping into different perspectives. Sometimes I imagine what it would be like to be a character in a film or a book and write from that mindset. It gives me the freedom to explore emotions and stories beyond my own, which adds depth and contrast to my work.
There’s plenty more to come from TABOO ZERO, as Masha explains: “I’m really excited to dive deeper into what I’m calling my villain era — a bold new chapter in my artistry that’s going to bring even more intense music to life.” That includes new music that will explore “darker and more rebellious themes” and Masha is also looking for opportunities to play live shows, tour and connect with new audiences.
And Masha adds: “I hope that when people listen to my music, they find whatever it is they’re searching for — whether it’s solace, healing, inspiration, or simply a sense of understanding. My goal is for each song to create space for listeners to connect with their own emotions and explore parts of themselves they may not always acknowledge.
“For me, songwriting comes from a deeply vulnerable place. I share pieces of myself that I don’t often show — but through music, it feels safe. It’s where I can be completely honest, and I hope that honesty resonates with others in a meaningful way.”
You can follow TABOO ZERO on Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
Listen to TABOO ZERO and more new music on our Spotify playlists GigRadar Electro and GigRadar Rock
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