The Hardkiss

Last updated

The Hardkiss
Thehardkiss2019.jpg
L–R: Bebko, Sanina, Lysiuk, Kibeliev (2019)
Background information
Origin Kyiv, Ukraine
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Max
  • Kreechy
  • Pol Solonar
  • Vitaliy Oniskevych
  • Roman Skorobahatko
  • Dmytro Smotrov
Website thehardkiss.com
The Hardkiss logo.svg

The Hardkiss (stylised as The HARDKISS) is a Ukrainian rock band formed in 2011, consisting of Julia Sanina (vocals), Valeriy Bebko (guitar), Klym Lysiuk (bass), and Yevhen Kibeliev (drums). [3] They sing in both Ukrainian and English.

Contents

In 2012, they were nominated for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Ukrainian Act, and they have won several prizes at the YUNA music award. The Hardkiss took part in the Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, finishing in second place.

Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the band has donated part of the proceeds from their work toward humanitarian aid, and they have performed numerous charity concerts.

To date, the Hardkiss has released four studio albums, one EP, one live album, and numerous singles.

History

Formation

At the age of 18, Julia Sanina interviewed the MTV Ukraine broadcast producer Valeriy Bebko for an article she was writing as an aspiring student journalist. [4] The two became friends (and later married) and began to write music together as Val & Sanina, with Sanina as the vocalist and Bebko playing bass; they released a music video and a number of songs in Russian. [5] [4] They later met the sound engineer Max and producers Volodymyr Syvokon and Stas Tiunov of the Firework Sound record label, who suggested that they sing in English instead and build up an audience in the West. [4] The band sought a new name and asked their friends for feedback on several potential options, including "Planet Pony", "Model 8", and "the Hardkiss". [6] [4] [7] After listening to a demo of the band's music, their friends noted that it contained elements that were "hard", but also sweet and tender, like a kiss. [4]

2011–2014: First singles and shows

In September 2011, the Hardkiss released their first video, "Babylon", while their lineup had expanded to include Max and a masked drummer, Kreechy, whose role was occasionally taken on by Sanina's father, Oleksandr Holovan. [8] [4] [9] The band opened for the English synth-pop duo Hurts in Kyiv on 20 October. [10] [5] On 18 November, they opened for American singer Solange Knowles, also in Kyiv. [11]

In December 2011, the band released a music video for "Dance with Me", directed by Bebko, with Yurii Korol as the camera operator. It appeared on MTV Russia and Muz-TV, before airing globally on MTV. [12] [13] [1] The online magazine DosugUA ranked the video second on its list of the most stylish music videos of 2011. [14]

On 29 January 2012, the Hardkiss performed at MIDEM festival. [15] [16] By March, the band had been signed to Sony BMG. [1] The same year, the band was nominated for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Ukrainian Act. [17] By the time of the nomination, Pol Solonar had joined the band as a keyboards player, while Max was no longer a member. [17]

Val Bebko and Julia Sanina at the 5th Odesa International Film Festival, in 2014 OIFF 2014-07-11 172650 - Val Bebko & Julia Sanina.jpg
Val Bebko and Julia Sanina at the 5th Odesa International Film Festival, in 2014

In 2013, the Hardkiss won two awards at the Ukrainian national music award, YUNA—one for Best New Act and the other for Best Music Video for "Make Up", which was awarded to Bebko. [18] The band played their first solo live performance that year in Kyiv, with all tickets sold out one week in advance. [19] They also opened the Muz-TV Music Awards in Moscow, became the "voice and face" of Pepsi in Ukraine, and headlined the Pepsi Stars of Now tour, covering sixteen Ukrainian cities. [20] [21] [22]

2014–present

In 2014, the Hardkiss presented its first album, Stones and Honey, which contained more than ten previously released songs as well as the band's first song in Ukrainian, "Прірва", written in response to the loss of people in Kyiv and human conflict during Euromaidan. [23] [21] The record was named Best Music Album at the 2015 YUNA award ceremony, where the track "Stones" also won the award for Best Song. [24]

The band's first album was followed by an EP titled Cold Altair, which included the previously known "Tony, Talk!" and "Organ", the new songs "Altair", "Doctor Thomases", and "Hammer", an acoustic version of "Shadows of Time", renamed to "Shadows of Light", as well as two remixes of "Tony, Talk!" The EP cover art was created by the artist Denys Tsiperko, who has developed characters for Marvel and Riot Games. [25] [26] Sanina said that the record was "a lot harder and more alternative" than the band's previous work. [27]

In 2016, the Hardkiss participated in the Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Helpless", placing second in the final. [28] [29] Klym Lysiuk, who had attempted to join the band for four years and recorded bass covers of their songs, became their bassist the same year. [30] [31]

In 2018, the band won two awards at YUNA: Best Rock Band and Best Song in Ukrainian, for "Zhuravli". [32] Later that year, guitarist Roman Skorobahatko left the band but was set to continue performing with them as a live session musician. [33]

In November 2019, the band's drummer, Kreechy, revealed his idendity as Dmytro Smotrov and announced his departure after five years with the group. He was replaced by Yevhen Kibeliev of SKAI. [34]

In 2021, the Hardkiss was slated to perform a ten-year anniversary show at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, but this was cancelled after a series of delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. [35]

In the aftermath of the invasion, the Hardkiss released the song "Як ти?", together with a music video, whose proceeds were to be donated to humanitarian aid. [36] The war generated increased international interest in the band, who then embarked on charity tours in support of the armed forces of Ukraine and Ukrainian children. [37] [38] In 2025, following extensive touring, the Hardkiss began work on a new album containing songs in English and Ukrainian, which is planned for release in 2026. [39] [40] The first single, "Crush", came out together with a music video on 13 June 2025. [40]

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

  • Cold Altair (2015)

Live albums

  • Акустика. Live (2020)

Singles

  • "Babylon" (2011)
  • "Dance with Me" (2011)
  • "Make-Up" (2012)
  • "October" (2012)
  • "Part of Me" (2013)
  • "In Love" (2013)
  • "Under the Sun" (2013)
  • "Shadows of Time" (2013)
  • "Tell Me Brother" (2013)
  • "Hurricane" (2014)
  • "Stones" (2014)
  • "Strange Moves" feat. Kazaky (2014)
  • "PiBiP" (2015)
  • "Organ" (2015)
  • "Tony, Talk!" (2015)
  • "Helpless" (2016)
  • "Perfection!" (2016)
  • "Rain" (2016)
  • "Closer" (2016)
  • "Антарктида" (2017)
  • "Журавлi" (2017)
  • "Lovers" (2017)
  • "Кораблі" (2017)
  • "Мелодія" (2018)
  • "Free Me" (2018)
  • "Коханці" (2018)
  • "Серце" (2019)
  • "Хто, як не ти?" (2019)
  • "Жива" (2019)
  • "Косатка" (2020)
  • "Гора" (2020)
  • "Кобра" feat. MONATIK (2020)
  • "Все було так" (2020)
  • "Обійми" (2021)
  • "7 вітрів" (2021)
  • "Сестра" (2021)
  • "Як ти?" (2022)
  • "Маяк" (2022)
  • "Два вікна" (2023)
  • "Festival" (2023)
  • "Мрійники" feat. Tvorchi (2023)
  • "Тільки там" (2024)
  • "Crush" (2025)

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ганчукова, Елена (1 March 2012). "The Hardkiss: Мы боимся момента, когда умрет последний абориген в Австралии". allfun.md (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  2. "The Hardkiss". AllMusic . Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  3. "About". The Hardkiss Official Website. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Силина, Дина (14 June 2012). "The HardKiss". JetSetter.ua (in Russian). Archived from the original on 27 March 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Yulia Sanina: Strong, authentic voice of The Hardkiss wins fans, shakes up music scene". Kyiv Post. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  6. Женя Янович (5 June 2025). "Юля Саніна: перша чесна розмова за довгий час | Шоу 20:23 #62" [Yulia Sanina: first honest conversation in a long time]. YouTube (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  7. "Солистка The Hardkiss показала семейные фото" [The Hardkiss singer showed family photos]. YouTube (in Russian). ICTV. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  8. "Группа The Hardkiss презентовала дебютный клип" [The group The Hardkiss present their debut video]. Gloss.ua (in Russian). 13 September 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  9. Шолудько, Юлія (2 January 2021). "Юлія Саніна приголомшила, що її тато був барабанником гурту The Hardkiss" [Julia Sanina was shocked that her dad was the drummer for the band The Hardkiss]. TSN.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  10. "Dance with Me — новый клип The Hardkiss!". Muz.ru (in Russian). 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014.
  11. "Диджей-сет Соланж Ноулз на Дне рождения b-hush" (in Russian). Jetsetter. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  12. "The Hardkiss — Dance with Me" (in Russian). Muz-TV. 30 December 2011. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012.
  13. "The Hardkiss – Dance with Me". MTV.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 August 2012.
  14. "Топ-5 фешн-клипов 2011 года". DosugUA.com (in Russian). 16 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  15. "The Hardkiss at MIDEM 2012 (29th of January, 22.00 – Sparkling)". Patreon. patreon.com. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  16. "MIDEM Festival Wraps Up in France". The Hollywood Reporter. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Названо номінантів на звання Найкращого українського артиста MTV EMA-2012" (in Ukrainian). korrespondent.net. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  18. "ІІ Церемония Yuna (15.03.2013)". yuna.ua (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 15 March 2015.
  19. "Гурт The Hardkiss дав перший сольний концерт" [The Hardkiss gave their first solo concert] (in Ukrainian). TSN. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  20. История премии. Премия Муз-ТВ 2013. Перезагрузка (in Russian). premia.muz-tv.ru. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  21. 1 2 "Гурт The HARDKISS під час грандіозного шоу у Львові презентує перший альбом" [The Hardkiss presents their first album during a grand show in Lviv]. ZAXID.NET (in Ukrainian). 28 October 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  22. "В Киеве прошел финал масштабного музыкального проекта Pepsi! Stars of Now" [The final of a large-scale musical project took place in Kyiv Pepsi! Stars of Now]. pepsico.ua (in Russian). Archived from the original on 14 August 2016.
  23. "The Hardkiss під впливом трагічних подій на Майдані записали зворушливу пісню українською" [The Hardkiss, influenced by the tragic events on Maidan, recorded a touching song in Ukrainian]. TSN.ua (in Ukrainian). 23 October 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  24. "IV Церемонія Yuna (25.03.2015)" (in Ukrainian). yuna.ua. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  25. "Що пов'язує Marvel і гурт The Hardkiss | Ранок" [What connects Marvel and the band The Hardkiss | Morning] (in Ukrainian). ICTV. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  26. "The Hardkiss випустили міні-альбом Cold Altair" [The Hardkiss released the mini-album Cold Altair] (in Ukrainian). Marie Claire Ukraine. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  27. "Юлия Санина о новом альбоме The Hardkiss" [Julia Sanina on The Hardkiss' new album] (in Russian). Vogue Ukraine. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  28. Rodríguez, Tony (4 February 2016). "The Hardkiss: "The main message of Helpless is that rebirth always hurts" (Ukrainian semifinalists – Exclusive Interview)". esc-plus.com. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  29. Omelyanchuk, Olena (21 February 2016). "Jamala will represent Ukraine in Stockholm!". eurovision.tv. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  30. "The Hardkiss vlog 28 – Знайомтеся, Клим!" [The Hardkiss vlog 28 – Let's meet Klym!]. YouTube (in Russian). The Hardkiss. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  31. ""Братику, з днем народження!" Лідерка The Hardkiss Саніна опублікувала привітання" ["Happy birthday, brother!" The Hardkiss leader Sanina posted a greeting]. Гордон (in Ukrainian). 22 January 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  32. "7th YUNA honors nation's most talented musicians". Kyiv Post. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  33. "The Hardkiss покинув гітарист Скоробагатько". Гордон (in Ukrainian). 10 April 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  34. "У складі гурту The Hardkiss сталися зміни". TSN.ua (in Ukrainian). 5 November 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  35. "Після п'яти років переносів. The Hardkiss скасував свій концерт на Олімпійському, який планувався до 10-річчя" [After five years of postponements, The Hardkiss has canceled its concert at the Olympic Stadium, which was planned for the 10th anniversary]. New Voice (in Ukrainian). 3 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  36. Орлова, Віолетта (12 April 2022). ""Як ти?": The Hardkiss випустила пронизливу пісню про війну (відео)" ["Як ти?": The Hardkiss Release Profound Song About War (Video)] (in Ukrainian). UNIAN . Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  37. Карманська, Юлія (24 October 2022). "Понад два десятки гуртів з України – у світових турах. Чи зможе українська музика стати частиною світового шоу-бізу" [More than two dozen bands from Ukraine are on world tours. Can Ukrainian music become part of global showbiz?] (in Ukrainian). Forbes Ukraine. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  38. "В Туреччині відбулися благодійні концерти гурту The Hardkiss" [The band held charity concerts in Turkey The Hardkiss] (in Ukrainian). Ukrinform. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  39. Пилипчук, Михайло. "Юлія Саніна та DJ Korolova: "Хочемо виступити разом на одній із найголовніших сцен світу"" [Yulia Sanina and DJ Korolova: "We want to perform together on one of the most important stages in the world"]. ТиКиїв (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  40. 1 2 Тарасова, Дар'я (13 June 2025). "The Hardkiss представили перший сингл Crush з майбутнього альбому" [The Hardkiss have released the first single Crush from their upcoming album] (in Ukrainian). Espreso TV . Retrieved 23 June 2025.