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HOKO (American band)

HOKO is the alternative music project of American artist, songwriter and producer Nathaniel Hoho with long time collaborator, multi-instrumentalist Jesse Kotansky.

As a touring band HOKO consists of Hoho ( vocals, guitar ) Kotansky (Guitar, Bass, Keys, Violin, Vocals) Will Markley ( bass, keys, vocals ) and

Gunnar Olsen ( drums )

HOKO was initially conceived in Los Angeles, California in 2019 from recordings made at home by Hoho. While living in LA Hoho frequently traveled back to NYC where he worked on music with Kotansky and music producer, Mike Irish.

EQT Recordings heard the project via Irish and offered HOKO a recording contract.

In 2020 the duo HOKO released their debut single, OK OK. The song debuted on the Alternative radio charts at 36 in the United States and was well received across streaming platforms worldwide. Off of the response to OK OK, HOKO was booked to perform their first show at Lollapalooza music festival. Due to the covid 19 pandemic the festival (and all live performances) was postponed until 2021.

The bands second single, Hellogoodbye, was a Zane Lowe World Premier and was featured on EA sports NHL 2021 video game, further elevating HOKO’s steadily rising profile. The song was later remixed by recording artist PVRIS

Due to border closures at this time Hoho and Kotansky each lived abroad. Hoho in Australia with wife Bridget Malcolm, and Kotansky in Germany with long time partner Andrea Petkovic.

In 2021 HOKO released their debut EP Heathen and toured supporting artists Milky Chance, Young The Giant and performed at Lollapalooza, Bottlerock, and Firefly music festivals.

In 2022 Hoho, Kotansky, and touring member Will Markley recorded a collection of songs at Motorbass studio in Paris France with producer Andrew Wells. The band supported X Ambassadors and performed at Bonnaroo music festival.

In 2023, HOKO signed to Republic Records releasing a series of singles; Hazy, Pretender, In The Summer, Ephemera, and Higher. The band toured with Inner Wave, Ripe, Almost Monday, and Weathers.

HOKO has collaborated with artists and producers including. Ammar Malik, Andrew Wells, John Hill, Matt Shultz, Mike Irish, Mikey Shoes, Pvris, Zach Dawes, and Nick Allbrook

History -

Nathaniel Hoho ( born Nathaniel Hohol ) was born in Mifflintown PA and grew up performing in bars and busking around central Pennsylvania. Hoho’s band at the time The Click Clack Boom caught the attention of Andy Hilfiger, allowing Hoho the opportunity to move from a town of 900 people to Manhattan. He then went on to be a studio assistant and audio engineer in SOHO NYC. Hoho has worked as a songwriter and producer with artists including Elliphant, Uffie, and Charli XCX. Hoho co-produced Nick Allbrooks, 2022 album Manganese. HOKO’s social media indicates HOHO spent 2 months in Australia working on an unreleased album out of Allbrook’s band Pond’s recording studio.

Hoho also has been noted to work with producer David Kahne. Their song “Boy Theres Something Wrong” received awards for Milan Gold Award - Best Original Score and IndieFEST Film Awards - Award of Excellence (original song).

Jesse Kotansky (born in Nyack, NY) grew up as an accomplished violinist, traveling to the balkans with his father Stephen Kotansky ( a balkan dance choreographer). Kotansky has done string arrangements for artists including J Mascis, Pond, Aerosmith, Adam green, and Willie J Healey.

Both living in Brooklyn NY - HOHO and Kotansky met and became friends through a community artists in NYC including notables Ezra Miller, Joseph Grazi, Mia Tyler, Nick Bockrath, and Zoe Kravtiz