Koza Mostra is a Greek rock band founded in 2012. It consists of Ilias Kozas (lead singer, classical and electric guitar), Dimitris Raptis (drums), Stavros Apostolidis (bouzouki, backing vocals), Giannis Bellos (bass guitar, backing vocals), Tasos Gentzis (saxophone, backing vocals) and Asterios Fragos (electric guitar, backing vocals).[1] The band fuses ska, punk, and rock music together with the style of traditional Greek folk music such as Macedonian Greek music and rebetiko.[1][2]

Quick Facts Background information, Origin ...
Koza Mostra
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Koza Mostra in 2017
Background information
OriginGreece, Thessaloniki
GenresSka, Alternative, Folk, Balkan Music, Punk, Tarantella, Rock
Years active2012–present
LabelsPanik Platinum Records, Panik Oxygen Records, Koza Mostra Music
MembersIlias Kozas
Dimitris Raptis
Asterios Fragos
Giannis Bellos
Stavros Apostolidis
Tasos Gentzis
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They represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with Agathonas Iakovidis and the song "Alcohol Is Free", placed 6th in the final.[3][4]

Their debut album Keep up the Rhythm, released on March 22, 2013,[5] reached triple Platinum certification[6] from Greek music industry authority IFPI. It was published by Panik Platinum Records,[5] which is a sublabel of Panik Entertainment Group responsible for "Greek Ethnic music".[7]

On December 15, 2017, they released their second album entitled Corrida. This album was published by Panik Oxygen Records,[8] also a sublabel of Panik Entertainment Group.[7] Subsequent releases were self-released without a label by Koza Mostra.[9]

The album artwork for Koza Mostra's two studio albums, was created by Paul Hitter, who is also responsible for the majority of American punk band Gogol Bordello's artwork.[1]

On February 1, 2020 they released a single entitled "Requiem" featuring Pedro Erazo of American punk band Gogol Bordello.[10]

On June 27, 2022, they released a single entitled "Bilio".[11]

On January 6, 2024 they released a single entitled "Elvis".[12]

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Lead singer Ilias Kozas at a Eurovision Song Contest 2013 press conference.

Discography

Albums

Title Charts Info
Greece
Keep up the Rhythm 1
  • Released: March 22, 2013[5]
  • Labels: Panik Platinum Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
  • Album Art: Paul Hitter[1]
Corrida 57
  • Released: December 15, 2017[8]
  • Labels: Panik Oxygen Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
  • Album Art: Paul Hitter[1]

Singles

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
GR GER NL
[13]
UK
"Me Trela" 2012 Keep up the Rhythm
"Desire"
"Alcohol Is Free"
(feat. Agathonas Iakovidis)
2013 1 8595 30
"Lianohortaroudia"
"Ti Kano Edo" Corrida
"Giorti" 2014
"Bordello Originale"
"3 Year Anniversary Song" 2015 Non-album single
"Leventis"
(Mikis Theodorakis Cover)
Corrida
"Amerika"
(Dubioza Kolektiv Cover)
2016
"Don't Panic, We're On Titanic" 2017
"Requiem"
(feat. Pedro Erazo)
2020[10] Non-album single
"Bilio"
2022[11] Non-album single
"Elvis"
2024[12] Non-album single
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.
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Awards

More information Year, Award ...
YearAwardCategoryWork/RoleResult
2014IFPI3× Platinum Album[14]Keep up the RhythmWon
2014MAD Video Music AwardsAlternative[15]Alcohol is FreeNominated
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References

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