VINOK is an American-Ukrainian indie-rock band that instigates social justice.

VINOK is not just another indie-rock band, it’s a statement of authenticity and social change to create a new culture of justice in a land of unknown. Giving a voice for the marginalized and bluntly bringing to attention crucial problems of a global society is what the band is all about. Their topics range from disability rights to feminism, politics and religion. Yes, the Ukraine based band’s indie-ness is a sound you haven’t heard before - it’s an unusual mix of experimental rock and indie art-pop spiced with notes of garage rock, pulp grunge and even hip-hop.

The hints of a Wild West atmosphere are to symbolize everything the band stands for - an attempt to build freedom and hope in a harsh opportunistic world by challenging the establishment. Vinok provides fresh, powerful and insightful music with deep syncopated rhythms, haunting lyrics, soaring powerful vocals and a molotov cocktail in the face of evil. 

Co-founder, lead vocalist and keyboardist Nathalie has practiced as a mental health professional and expressive arts therapist working extensively with people who witnessed a wide array of abuse and neglect. As a journalist, VINOK’s co-founder and drummer Ilya has witnessed the atrocities executed by authoritarian and corrupt regimes in Eastern Europe and the sheer poverty that resulted from them. The band’s virtuoso bassist Anton comes from war-torn eastern Ukraine and says, “Music is my salvation”. 

Though the band started back only in February 2019, they already graced some of the biggest festivals in eastern Europe such as Ukraine’s Respublica Festival and Poland’s Slot Festival. The band’s music was mixed by sound producer and engineer PDub Walton who worked with legends such as Bjork, U2, Madonna, Massive Attack, and The Cure, and mastered by Jon Astley who worked with The Who, U2, ABBA, The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.