Kosheen are a British electronic music group based in Bristol, United Kingdom. The group consist of singer-songwriter Sian Evans, songwriter-producer Ron Mcelroy and drummer Mitchell Glover. The name Kosheen derives from the name of a North American Apache warrior, Cochise.[1] In Japan,[clarification needed] it was discovered that a combination of the Japanese words for "old" (古, romanised transliteration "ko") and "new" (新, "shin") would make "Kosheen" in Japanese.

Kosheen
Kosheen in 2004
Kosheen in 2004
Background information
OriginBristol, England
GenresTrip hop, breakbeat, alternative rock, electronic, drum and bass
Years active1999–present
LabelsBreakbeat Culture
(1999–2001, 2012–2017)
Moksha Recordings
(2000–2010)
Sony BMG
(2001–2004)
Universal
(2007–2010)
MembersSian Evans
Ron Mcelroy
Mitchell Glover
Past membersMarkee Ledge
Darren Beale
Websitewww.kosheen.live

History

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Resist (1999–2002)

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Their first album, Resist, was released in September 2001 on Moksha Recordings/BMG and reached number eight in the UK album chart.

Kokopelli (2003–2005)

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Their second album, Kokopelli—released in August 2003 on Moksha Recordings/Sony and named after a mythical Native American spirit—focused less on drum and bass beats and more on guitar riffs and darker-toned lyrics. It outperformed its predecessor in the UK album chart by reaching number seven, and the single "All In My Head" also reached number seven, but it did not sell as well as its predecessor.

Damage (2007–2008)

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Their third album, Damage, was released in Europe via Moksha/Universal Germany in March 2007. The UK edition of Damage, featuring two new tracks—"Analogue Street Dub" and "Professional Friend" (not included on the European edition)—was released via Moksha Recordings in September 2007.

The first single from Damage was "Overkill", released in March (Europe) and August (UK) 2007.

Independence (2012–2013)

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In 2010, Kosheen set up their own label, Skeleton, with its first release, "Warning", released on 27 September. On 19 December 2010, they posted the first track, "Belladonna", from Independence, on their Facebook page, along with three more tracks ("Waste", "Enter" and "You Don't Own Me") on their Soundcloud page.

On 25 October 2011, fresh from the success of Sian Evans collaboration with DJ Fresh "Louder" which had reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in July, Kosheen confirmed an album release in May 2012, and a single, titled "Get a New One", on 13 February. The second single, "Holding On", features Susie Ledge as the guest vocalist. An announcement was made by the band on their official website that Independence would be released at the end of September 2012. It was released on 1 October 2012. "Mannequin" was later released as the third single from the album. Other songs on the album include "Waste", "Spies", "Addict" and "Tightly".

Solitude (2013–2015)

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On 8 November 2013, Kosheen debuted a video for the song "Harder They Fall" as an introduction to their fifth studio album, Solitude.[2] Four days later, the band uploaded the artwork to Solitude along with a release date of 25 November 2013.[3]

Reunion (2019–present)

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In 2019 the band reunited and started touring.[4] No plans have been announced for new albums.

Solo projects

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In September 2015, Markee Ledge announced he was releasing a solo album, Elevate, featuring Susie Ledge on the title track.[5][6]

As of 2017, the members were working on their solo projects.[7]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[8]
AUS
[9]
AUT
[10]
BEL
[11]
GER
[12]
NL
[13]
FIN
[14]
SWI
[15]
US Elec.
[16]
2001 Resist
  • Released: 17 September 2001
  • Label: BMG / Moksha
  • Formats: CD, LP
8 29 18 8 45 25 36 15
2003 Kokopelli 7 67 6 10 16 30 40
2007 Damage
  • Released: 10 September 2007
  • Label: Moksha
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
95 18 75 48 23 35
2012 Independence
  • Released: 1 October 2012
  • Label: Kosheen Records / Ledge Productions / Sony ATV
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
37 41
2013 Solitude
  • Released: 25 November 2013
  • Label: Kosheen Records / Active Distribution
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download

Extended plays

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Year EP details
2008 Berlin Live EP
  • Released: 4 August 2008[18]
  • Label: Moksha
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
[19]
AUS
[9]
AUT
[10]
BEL
(FLA)

[11]
GER
[12]
FIN
[14]
NED
[13]
SWE
[20]
US
Dance

[16]
1999 "Yes Men" Non-album singles
"Dangerous Waters"
2000 "Hide U" / "Empty Skies" 73 78 3 5 Resist
"Catch" / "Demonstrate" 94 5 20
2001 "(Slip & Slide) Suicide" 50 34 80
"Hide U" (Remix) 6 23 77 39 15
"Catch" (re-release) 15 27 19 13 52 22
2002 "Hungry" 13 53 68 79 10
"Harder" 53
2003 "All in My Head" 7 37 54 18 Kokopelli
"Wasting My Time" 49
2004 "Avalanche" (download only)
2007 "Overkill (Is It Over Now?)" 60 70 Damage
"Guilty" (European download only)
2012 "Get a New One" Independence
"Holding On" (feat. Susie Ledge) Non-album single
"Mannequin" Independence
"Addict" 59
2013 "Harder They Fall" Solitude

Music videos

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Year Single Director
2001 "Hide U" Jason Smith
"Catch" Jeff Thomas
"Hide U" (US version)
"(Slip & Slide) Suicide" Cody Burridge
2002 "Hungry"
"Harder" Sven Harding
2003 "All in My Head"
"Wasting My Time" Mike Lipscombe
"Catch" (BCDJ's Lounge Mix) Jeff Thomas
2007 "Overkill"
"Guilty"
2012 "Get a New One" Global Fire
"Holding On"
"Mannequin" Global Fire
2013 "Harder They Fall" Global Fire

References

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  1. ^ Advisor, Resident. "Kosheen interview". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "British breakbeat group Kosheen premiere "Harder They Fall"".
  3. ^ "Facebook". Facebook.
  4. ^ "Kosheen - Official website • About". Kosheen - Official website. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  5. ^ Haynes, Arren (8 November 2015). "Kosheen's Markee Ledge is ready to drop a solo album". Guestlist.net.
  6. ^ "Kosheen's Markee Ledge releases 'Elevate' LP | News". Mn2s.com. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  7. ^ "kosheen : solo projects - kosheen". Moksha.vo.uk. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Official Charts Company - Kosheen". Official Charts Company. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  9. ^ a b "AUS Charts > Kosheen". ARIA Charts. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Discography Kosheen". Austrian-Charts.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Ultratop > Discografie Kosheen". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Chartverfolgung > Discografie Kosheen". Musicline.de. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Discography Kosheen". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  14. ^ a b "Discography Kosheen". Finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  15. ^ "Kosheen Kokopelli album". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  16. ^ a b "US Billboard Charts > Kosheen". Billboard.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  17. ^ a b "BPI Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  18. ^ "iTunes / Kosheen". iTunes. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  19. ^ "UK Charts > Kosheen". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  20. ^ "Kosheen Discography". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
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