Łzy

History

The band was founded in 1996 in Pszów, Southern Poland (their name translates "Tears"). The members of the group all come from Racibórz and Wodzisław Śląski counties. Their first album, Słońce (The Sun), released in 1998 was not a success. However, the band found popularity with their sophomore record, W związku z samotnością (In a Relationship with Loneliness). Hit singles "Agnieszka" and "Narcyz" elevated Łzy to a nationwide stardom in Poland in 2001 and the album was certified Platinum in their home country, having sold in over 100 000 copies. Despite the commercial success, Polish mass-media were reluctant to promote Łzy's music and the group was rarely seen on the television or heard on the radio.

2002 saw the release of their third album, Jesteś jaki jesteś (You Are What You Are). It spawned three popular singles: "Jestem jaka jestem", "Ja nie lubię nikogo" and "Anastazja". The band's 2003 album, Nie czekaj na jutro (Don't Wait for Tomorrow), included the song "Oczy szeroko zamknięte", which was to become their most successful single. The song was awarded at National Festival of Polish Song in Opole. Nie czekaj na jutro was certified Platinum and remains their second best-selling album. At that time Łzy finally got recognition in Polish media. In 2004 Łzy recorded a song "Julia, tak na imię mam" for Eurovision Song Contest 2004, finally ending up in the second position in Polish elimination.

In 2005 the group released Historie, których nie było, but that achieved only a limited success in Poland. Two hits promoted the album: "Pierwsza łza" and "Przepraszam cię", with latter as an entry at Sopot International Song Festival competition. 2006 saw Łzy's 10th anniversary and the release of a compilation album The Best of 1996–2006. It included two new songs: a ballad "Gdybyś był" and a rock track "Puste słowa". Both singles became hits and the album sold well.

Ania Wyszkoni, the lead vocalist, left the band in November 2010 (two years after embarking a successful solo career) and was replaced by Sara Chmiel. Łzy's first studio album in six years was released in 2011.