Koza Mostra

Koza Mostra
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

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]

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]

Lead singer Ilias Kozas at a Eurovision Song Contest 2013 press conference.
  1. ^ a b c "Band". Koza Mostra. 2024-01-27. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  2. ^ Escudero, Victor M. "Koza Mostra & Agathon rock the stage". 11 May 2013. Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  3. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (18 February 2013). "Koza Mostra & Agathonas Iakovidis to represent Greece". European Broadcasting Union.
  4. ^ Montebello, Edward (18 February 2013). "Koza Mostra feat. Agathonas to represent Greece in Malmö. They finished with 152 points and 6th place in the Eurovision Song Contest". esctoday.com.
  5. ^ a b "KEEP UP THE RHYTHM (2013)". Koza Mostra. 2024-01-27. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  6. ^ Και η απονομή έγινε και η χαρά μας είναι απερίγραπτη !!! (in Greek and English). Facebook. 7 March 2014.
  7. ^ a b "About Us". Panik Music. 2024-01-27. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  8. ^ "CORRIDA (2017)". Koza Mostra. 2024-01-27. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  9. ^ "Not on label (Koza Mostra Self-Released)". Discogs. 2024-02-01. Archived from the original on 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).