BOKKA emerged in 2013, founded by three anonymous musicians who aimed to highlight their sound while keeping their identities in the background.
While some might speculate that the band's core members are Karolina Kozak and Bogdan Kondracki—who are married in private—this assumption is not definitive. The name "BOKKA" could be derived from the first syllables of their names, and their debut album features a song titled "K&B," which explores themes of a lasting relationship. However, the band's style diverges significantly from Kozak’s solo work, which leans towards cozy, intimate sounds. Kondracki, a producer and arranger well-versed in numerous music genres, brings a different dimension to their music. Ultimately, the identities of BOKKA's members may be of little consequence, as the focus remains on their artistic output.
Their self-titled debut album, released by Nextpop in 2013, received critical acclaim for its captivating blend of synth pop, dream pop, shoegaze, and psychedelic electronica. The first single from this album, "Town of Strangers," was mastered in London by Mandy Parnell, who has collaborated with notable artists such as Björk, Sigur Rós, Little Dragon, Depeche Mode, and Paul McCartney.
The essence of BOKKA’s obscurity is encapsulated in their debut album’s artwork, which depicts a female figure concealing her face behind a mirror. The opening track, "Found Something," features a hypnotic female voice articulating the album's underlying concept: "All that you know/ fades away like the storm/ and the sun breaks through the clouds, you’re free." This track serves not only as an introduction but also features acoustic drums, bass, and distorted keyboard sounds, inviting listeners to approach the album with a “clean ear.”
BOKKA’s music elicits a wide range of associations, often characterized by synthetic textures, as exemplified in "Strange Spaces," where a powerful, aggressive rhythm underpins keyboard-driven melodies. Critics have drawn comparisons to Scandinavian artists such as Lykke Li, The Knife, and Sigur Rós, while also relating BOKKA to groups like Au Ra, Warpaint, and Fever Ray.
In essence, BOKKA identifies as a pop band, creating engaging music suited for radio play. Despite their somewhat somber presentation, they are not as dark as they may seem. The lead singer’s raw voice, at times reminiscent of archaic Polish folk singing, evokes a romantic and dramatic style akin to Lana Del Rey. The band adeptly blends electronic elements with live instrumentation, including guitar and bass, ensuring that while rhythm plays a significant role, the melodies remain central to their compositions. These melodies can range from dense layers of keys and bass to ethereal softness, akin to mist in open space. Their integration of ancient sounds with contemporary rhythms parallels the work of artists like Monika Brodka. BOKKA appears to comprise seasoned musicians who derive joy from the act of creating music and continually seek to surprise themselves.
In October 2015, BOKKA released their second album, "Don’t Kiss and Tell," which garnered a nomination for the Fryderyk 2016 award in the Alternative and Electronic Music category, one of Poland's most prestigious music honors. Three years later, they unveiled their third album, "Life on Planet B," which marked a shift from rock influences towards a focus on synth pop and electronics.
The band has performed at major Polish festivals, including Open'er, Tauron Nowa Muzyka, Audioriver, and the Orange Warsaw Festival, as well as at prominent music events across Europe, such as The Great Escape (UK), Reeperbahn (Germany), Colours Of Ostrava (Czech Republic), and Positivus (Lithuania). BOKKA frequently plays in Poland’s largest clubs and has also toured in cities such as Berlin, Brussels, Istanbul, Prague, and Bratislava.
