Dakh Daughters

Year founded – 2012
City – Kyiv (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian, English, French, German
Genre – freak cabaret, dark cabaret

Line-up:

Nina Harenetska («DakhaBrakha»);
Ruslana Khazipova («Perkalaba», Ragapop);
Solomiia Melnyk («Powerful Girls» and Soloma Project);
Hanna Nikitina («Cabaret Chanson», Ragapop);
Nataliia Halanevych (the «BiZoN» ballet);
Nataliia Zo Zozul (the «BiZoN» ballet).

Tanya Havryliuk («TanyaTanya») was also part of the band's original line-up.

The Band's Formation

Dakh Daughters is a Ukrainian theatrical and musical band whose work spans the genres of freak cabaret, dark cabaret, and theatrical performance. Dakh Daughters is a unique all-female ensemble consisting of seven charismatic multi-instrumentalists, singers, and actresses. The project is developed under the artistic direction of Vlad Troitskyi – the founder and artistic director of the «Dakh» Theatre, who serves as the band's conceptual producer and creative leader.

The birth of Dakh Daughters was more intuitive than carefully planned: the idea took shape in 2012 at GOGOLFEST after the performers took part in the production «School of Non-Theatrical Art». In various interviews, the initiative to create the group has been attributed either to Hanna Nikitina or to Vlad Troitskyi himself. However, it was precisely this multiplicity of voices—in every sense of the phrase—that became the foundation of the band.

The defining feature of Dakh Daughters is its distinctive style – freak cabaret deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture. Their music organically combines ethnic motifs, folk intonations, and quotations from Ukrainian literature of different eras. Less than a year after its debut, the ensemble rapidly gained popularity, while fans and critics searched for comparisons ranging from the Ukrainian Spice Girls to Rammstein or Kiss. Eventually, it became clear that the band simply did not fit into any of the usual chart-driven clichés. Their work resembles a multilayered cake, where each new layer reveals an unexpected sound, a new emotion, and fresh space for the audience's imagination.

Creative Journey

Dakh Daughters' first major concert took place in April 2013 at the Kyiv Small Opera and became a true live manifesto of the group. That same summer, the band made a powerful statement on YouTube with the music video Rozy / Donbass, which intertwined a Shakespearean sonnet, folk songs, and deliberately exaggerated theatrical pathos. The composition quickly became the band's signature piece: in just three concise minutes, each performer seems to introduce herself to the audience, showcasing her own charisma. By 2026, the video had accumulated nearly five million views, significantly expanding the band's audience and fan base.

Another landmark event was the performance of the track «Hannusia» at Maidan Nezalezhnosti during the protests in December 2013. The performance cemented the band's status as a cultural voice of its time.

In November 2016, the group released its debut album IF – a record featuring nine compositions that captured the defining characteristics of Dakh Daughters' early style. Their second album, Air, was released in April 2019 and included seven tracks based on original lyrics and the poetry of Pavlo Tychyna, Mike Yohansen, Mykola Kholodny, as well as free interpretations of «Alice in Wonderland».

In February 2021, the band released its third full-length album, Make Up – not merely a music release but also the soundtrack to the theatrical performance of the same name. This time, the compositions became more cohesive, the choruses sharper, and the overall mood less sentimental yet more danceable. In 2025, Dakh Daughters presented their fourth album, Pandora's Box – nine songs reflecting on the chaos of the modern world. The title track, performed in a reggae style, sets the tone for the entire release, turning the album into a musical prophecy about the present day.

Style and Creative Development

Dakh Daughters' live performances balance freak aesthetics, jazz improvisation, and irony. The collective defines its genre as a symbiosis of theatre and music, where every concert is a complete theatrical performance rather than simply a collection of songs. In the performers' understanding, a freak is a symbol of freedom and individuality, a hero of our time who is not afraid to be themselves. It is precisely this philosophy that has allowed the band not only to carve out its own niche within the industry but also to confidently dominate it.

Dakh Daughters' repertoire features texts by Taras Shevchenko, Lesya Ukrainka, Joseph Brodsky, Charles Bukowski, Yurii Andrukhovych, and many other authors, performed in different languages and dialects. The performers play more than fifteen instruments and freely switch between them, creating a rich and unexpected sound. Music critics often compare the group to Amanda Palmer, Laibach, and Dresden Dolls, while international media outlets such as The New York Times and The Rolling Stone have praised the originality and scale of their artistic vision.

Sold-out shows across Ukrainian cities and packed venues throughout Europe and the United States only confirm the band's growing popularity and recognition. At the same time, Dakh Daughters' contemporary stage performances demonstrate a clear shift in focus toward the musical aspect of their творчість.

Civic Position

Beyond music and the stage, Dakh Daughters consistently demonstrate an active civic position. In 2017, the group supported the UAnimals initiative and spoke out against the exploitation of animals in circuses. In 2018, at the Jazz Koktebel festival, the band publicly expressed support for filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who had been unlawfully imprisoned in Russia. Individual members have also participated in cultural and charitable projects aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture and traditions.

Regular participation in international festivals, concerts, and theatrical events has made Dakh Daughters not just a musical phenomenon but also ambassadors of national culture, bringing the Ukrainian context to audiences around the world. The group's work combines art, social messaging, and powerful stage energy, turning every performance into an event that leaves a lasting emotional impression.