In 2009, David Caneva Akle, a Colombian artist based in London, UK since 2007, formed an electro-bolero band called KOKN.

KOKN is a high-speed spelling of the word cocaine, imitating the Cockney of the Michael Caines of this world, or Londoners like Dizzee Rascal or Jesse Jay, when talking about the white dust.

The following year with the single release of “Ko-KN”, in 2010 the band got shaped. Step by step they defined what they are really all about: “There are no rules just feelings”. This is the starting point for all KOKN´s songs, improvisations, and musical manifestations. This open feeling has always been key to the band, even when they were playing Colombian folklore music with gaitas and drums.

KOKN has built a strong identity that has been recognized and received by festivals, after-parties, bars, clubs, universities, cultural centres, museums, art fairs. What gives KOKN something extra is that they suit every environment, adapting their sound to the places they play in, letting the music change from Jazz to Funk, Chill Out, Lounge, Dance House or Folk fusion. The band may be eclectic, but they are definite crowd pleasers.

In the summer of 2010 the band was invited to perform at the LOVEBOX festival in London and prepared a series of gigs in Europe, including Spain, France and Germany. They produced an album with Hip Hop band Giant Records, that was released during the Glastonbury Festival and the Carnival del Pueblo Festival in August 2010.

In 2011 KOKN moved to South London, releasing other single called “RESUELVE” attracting new audiences and a great response from the public, during its 3 months residency at the Notting Hill Arts Club, in partnership with MOVIMIENTOS. They also performed at the Music Hall Bar invited by GLOBALISTA, various gigs in Brixton, audiovisual interventions at the TATE modern, Rich Mix, East London University and Essex University amongst others institutions and venues.

After a couple more years of gigging and rehearsing, KOKN recorded a new album called “Nunca Termina” in 2012 and 2013. The album has a touch of Brit Pop and House as well as staying true to the traditional roots that define the band.

KOKN is a band that mixes classic and modern sounds to create a postmodernist musical concept that willfully stays far away from mainstream commercial music. KOKN´s musical pieces start from the idea that the song played is only going to be heard once, because we all live in the moment. We aim to capture our audience in that first listen, through our melodies and beats, our words and our intentions.

"There are no rules just feelings"

                                                             - El Espectador News paper