The Hardkiss Ukrainian rock band Date of Birth: 01.01.2011 Country: Ukraine

1. The Hardkiss: The Birth of a Ukrainian Rock Sensation
2. From Val & Sanina to The Hardkiss
3. The Name: A Kiss and a Touch of 'Hard'
4. Early Success and Recognition
5. Breakthrough: YUNA and M1 Music Awards
6. First Solo Concert and "Part of Me"
7. Studio Debut: "Stones and Honey"
8. EP "Cold Altair" and Online Concert
9. Eurovision Ambitions and "Helpless"
10. Second Album: "Perfection is a Lie"
11. Third Album: "Zalizna Lastivka"
12. "Akustika" Tour and "Vilema" Duet
13. "Akustika. Live" and "Zhyva i ne Zalizna"

The Hardkiss: The Birth of a Ukrainian Rock Sensation

Formed in 2011, The Hardkiss is a Ukrainian rock band that has captivated audiences with its blend of soaring melodies, hard-hitting rhythms, and thought-provoking lyrics. The band's core members, Yulia Sanina and Valeriy Bebko, are the creative driving force behind all of their original songs.

From Val & Sanina to The Hardkiss

The band's genesis can be traced back to the meeting of Yulia Sanina and Valeriy Bebko. Sanina, then an aspiring journalist, interviewed Bebko, a producer at MTV Ukraine. Their shared passion for music ignited a creative spark, and they began writing and performing together as Val & Sanina.

The Name: A Kiss and a Touch of 'Hard'

The band's name, The Hardkiss, was chosen through a process of brainstorming and feedback from friends. Sanina and Bebko sent out several options via Facebook, including The Hardkiss, Planet Pony, and another name that Sanina now forgets. After listening to their demo song, their friends commented that it had a "hard" edge to the arrangements and a "sweet" quality reminiscent of a kiss. Thus, The Hardkiss was born.

Early Success and Recognition

The Hardkiss's debut single, "Babylon," premiered on September 11, 2011, and quickly gained traction on Ukrainian music channels. Their first concert took place shortly after, followed by the release of their single "October" in October 2011. The band opened for Hurts and DJ Solange Knowles in the same year, further solidifying their presence on the Ukrainian music scene.

Breakthrough: YUNA and M1 Music Awards

In 2012, The Hardkiss's success skyrocketed. They collaborated on a short film for the "In Love with Kyiv" anthology, and their single "Make-Up" received widespread acclaim and awards, including the YUNA Award for "Video of the Year." The band was nominated for an MTV EMA (Best Ukrainian Artist) and won the "Discovery of the Year" award at the Tele Triumph ceremony.

First Solo Concert and "Part of Me"

2013 marked The Hardkiss's first solo concert and the release of their single "Part of Me." The band continued to gain international recognition, performing at the Muz-TV Awards in Russia. Their single "In Love" was released in May 2013, followed by a performance at the Russian Park Live Moscow festival.

Studio Debut: "Stones and Honey"

In October 2014, The Hardkiss released their first studio album, "Stones and Honey." The album showcased the band's diverse range, from soaring anthems to introspective ballads. The single "Doctor Thomases" became a philosophical anthem, exploring the nature of existence.

EP "Cold Altair" and Online Concert

In December 2015, The Hardkiss dropped their EP "Cold Altair." The title track delved into philosophical themes, while the band also held an online concert, marking their return from a brief hiatus.

Eurovision Ambitions and "Helpless"

In 2016, The Hardkiss participated in the Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Helpless." They came second in the final, narrowly missing out on representing Ukraine on the international stage.

Second Album: "Perfection is a Lie"

2017 saw the release of The Hardkiss's second studio album, "Perfection is a Lie." The album reflected the band's musical growth and introspection over the past two years. The band embarked on a "Perfection Tour" across 10 Ukrainian cities.

Third Album: "Zalizna Lastivka"

In 2018, The Hardkiss released their third studio album, "Zalizna Lastivka." With a cosmic theme running through it, the album featured songs as well as poetry written by Yulia Sanina.

"Akustika" Tour and "Vilema" Duet

In 2019, The Hardkiss embarked on their "Akustika" tour, featuring intimate performances with acoustic instruments. They released a vinyl version of "Zalizna Lastivka" and collaborated with Tina Karol on the song "Vilema" for the Ukrainian film "Vidana."

"Akustika. Live" and "Zhyva i ne Zalizna"

2020 brought the release of "Akustika. Live," a live album featuring acoustic versions of the band's songs. In 2021, The Hardkiss dropped their fourth studio album, "Zhyva i ne Zalizna," an acclaimed collection of Ukrainian-language tracks.