The Hardkiss

Formed in Kyiv in 2011 around singer Julia Sanina and guitarist-producer Valeriy Bebko, The Hardkiss operates in a hybrid area between rock, pop and electronic sounds. Completed by a lineup oriented toward modern rock, the band built its reputation in Ukraine through a series of visually crafted videos and concerts where stage aesthetics play an important role. The Hardkiss blends heavy guitars, rhythms close to electronic music, direct pop melodies and prominently featured vocals, alternating songs in Ukrainian, English and, in its early days, Russian. The project drew attention in the mid-2010s thanks to a regular presence on Ukraine’s major stages and its participation in the national selection for Eurovision 2016. On the discography side, The Hardkiss released their first album, "Stones and Honey", in 2014, which established a sound combining alternative rock and synthetic pop, followed by "Perfection Is a Lie" in 2017, noted for tighter songwriting and a stronger balance between rock energy and electronic textures. Since then the band has continued with tours, single releases and reinterpretations of its repertoire in acoustic or more electronic formats, while remaining centered on Kyiv as its base for work and creation.