Bratakus Slam Gender Tokenism with Explosive New Single Tokened
Scottish punk duo Bratakus have returned with a defiant and razor-sharp new single, Tokened, released via Venn Records. The track, a fiery rejection of gender tokenism in the music industry, is the band’s latest move in a nearly decade-long mission to challenge norms from the ground up.
Formed by sisters Brèagha and Onnagh Cuinn in the remote Highland village of Tomintoul, Bratakus built their DIY credentials early — running their own label (Screaming Babies Records), touring Japan, and landing a support slot with The Hives, all without a booking agent or streaming presence.
Now aligned with Venn Records — the label founded by Gallows’ Laurent ‘Lags’ Barnard — they’re embracing a wider platform, while keeping their message uncompromising.
“We’re Not Your Box-Ticking Band”
Tokened cuts straight to the bone of an industry still struggling with gender equity.
“It’s based on many experiences we’ve had,” explains Brèagha, “being thrown on first at gigs just to make the cis male line-up appear more equal… Or shoved onto Thursday slots at festivals, under the guise of ‘empowerment.’”
Onnagh adds: “So much of what’s dressed up as progress ends up feeling like crumbs. We want to be booked because of our music, not to pad out a quota so guys can feel good about themselves.”
Girls Rock Glasgow: Full Circle and Full of Fire
The accompanying video for Tokened was filmed with members of Girls Rock Glasgow, a grassroots organisation empowering girls and gender-expansive youth through music. It’s a poignant collaboration for Bratakus, whose very first show was at a Girls Rock Glasgow fundraiser in 2015.
STREAM TOKENED HERE
“We’ve both volunteered as teachers there ever since,” says Brèagha. “It felt like a total full circle moment.”
“Projects like this remind us why we started,” adds Onnagh. “They give us hope. These kids are the future of music.”
From a spontaneous conga line mid-performance to powerful scenes of community and creativity, the Tokened video is a rallying cry wrapped in grit, joy, and punk energy.
With their debut album for Venn Records slated for 2026, Bratakus are proving once again that they’re not here to fill a slot — they’re here to shake the foundations.
