The Hardkiss

The Inception of The Hardkiss

The Hardkiss, an acclaimed Ukrainian rock band, was formed in 2011 in Kyiv. The band was originally named Val & Sanina, reflecting its founders – Julia Sanina (vocals) and Valeriy Bebko (guitar). Their debut video, "Babylon," released in September 2011, marked the beginning of their musical journey. Gaining immediate attention, they opened for Hurts in Kyiv in October and for American singer Solange Knowles in November of the same year.

Early Accolades and Recognition

2012 was a pivotal year for The Hardkiss as they were nominated for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Ukrainian Act. Their performance at the MIDEM festival further enhanced their reputation in the music industry. By 2013, The Hardkiss had won two awards at the Ukrainian National Music Award YUNA: Best New Act and Best Music Video for "Make-Up." They also became the face of Pepsi in Ukraine, embarking on the Pepsi Stars of Now tour across sixteen cities.

Evolution and Musical Milestones

The Hardkiss continued to evolve and grow in the following years. In 2015, they won two YUNA awards for Best Music Album for "Stones and Honey" and Best Song for "Stones." Their participation in the Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Helpless" brought them to a second-place finish in the final. The band's success continued with two more YUNA awards in 2018: Best Rock Band and Best Song in Ukrainian for "Zhuravli."

The Hardkiss Band Members

The current lineup of The Hardkiss includes Julia Sanina (vocals), Valeriy "Val" Bebko (guitar), Klim Lysiuk (bass guitar), and Yevhen Kibeliev (drums). Past members include Pol Solonar, Vitaliy Oniskevich, Roman Skorobahatko, and Kreechy (Dmytro Smotrov).

Discography Highlights

The Hardkiss has a rich discography that includes studio albums like "Stones and Honey" (2014), "Perfection Is a Lie" (2017), "Залізна ластівка" (2018), and "Жива і не залізна" (2021). They also released an EP, "Cold Altair" (2015), and a live album, "Акустика. Live" (2020).

Unique Aspects of The Hardkiss

The Hardkiss stands out for several reasons. Valeriy Bebko has directed all the band's music videos, leveraging his background in film direction. Intriguingly, the band's drummer always appears in public wearing a mask, maintaining anonymity for personal reasons. The band's collaboration with Pepsi as their official face in Ukraine and their refusal to perform as a supporting act for Placebo, believing it to be undignifying, highlight their strong artistic integrity and self-respect.

Recent Endeavors

In recent years, The Hardkiss has continued to make significant strides in their musical journey. They participated in the Eurovision 2016 national selection and released the album "Perfection is a Lie" in 2017. The album "Zalizna Lastivka" followed in 2018, featuring a blend of musical compositions and poetry by Julia Sanina. The band embarked on a large tour around Ukraine with the Acoustics program and announced a new album in 2020, followed by their participation in the qualifying round for Eurovision 2020.

The Hardkiss

Musical Magic

North American Stages

Tour Dates

Concerts

Ukrainian Music Sensation

Enchanting Musical Journey

Live Concert Experience

Rock and Electronic Fusion

Concert Excitement

Tour Highlights

Unique Musical Blend

North American Tour

Concert Exploration

Ukrainian Band

Live Music Magic

Concert Venues

Musical Fusion

The Hardkiss Experience

Captivating Performances

Band's Musical Style

Concert Adventures

Ukrainian Rock Music

Stage Magic

North American Adventure

Concert Thrills

Electrifying Performances

Music Exploration

Rock and Electronic Vibes

Ukrainian Pop Rock

Concert Buzz

Musical Diversity

Concert Spectacle

North American Beats

Live Music Vibes

Ukrainian Sensation

Concert Celebration

The Hardkiss Hits

Energetic Performances

Musical Adventure

Rock Fusion

Concert Sensation

North American Magic

Live Music Celebration

Ukrainian Beats

Concert Magic

Electronic Music Vibes

Musical Journey

North American Fusion

Rock Concert Experience