Kolya

An indie/post-hardcore band from Massachusetts with clear Slint influence at the forefront, creating a moody and uncomfortable atmosphere. Rather than adopting the bouncy, poppy stylings of contemporaries like Elliott, The Promise Ring, or Rainer Maria, Kolya opted for long, winding song structures with frontman Todd Giles delivering lyrics in a narrative spoken style over intricate and dynamic instrumentals.

The band released a demo tape in 1998, followed by two 7” records on Moganono Records (a local Massachusetts label), before recording their self-titled full-length on Caulfield Records in 2001. The LP contains more standardly structured songs with shorter lengths, largely abandoning the more carefree meandering of their earlier material. The instrumentation at times evokes the urgency of mathy screamo contemporaries, while other times playing almost-catchy melodic twinkles that bring to mind Braid.

Kolya played shows with all types of bands, from indie rockers like Rockets Red Glare and The Beatings to screamo acts like The Assistant, Reversal of Man, and Joshua Fit For Battle. The band toured for a few years after the album before breaking up around 2004. Todd Giles later started The Union Ares with members of Carson Wells. The self-titled LP was remastered and reissued on vinyl in 2022 by Small Revisions.

Members

• Todd Giles - Vocals
• Matt Jencik - Guitar
• Dan Tinkler - Bass
• Mike McDonnel - Drums