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Kora (band)

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Kora
OriginNew Zealand
GenresReggae/dub
Years active1991–present
MembersLaughton Kora
Stuart Kora
Francis Kora
Brad Kora
Dan McGruer
Websitewww.kora.co.nz

Kora is a New Zealand five-piece music group, which consists of four brothers from the Kora family. The band, which originally began in Whakatane, New Zealand fuses elements of reggae, rock, dub, roots,[1] funk, and more recently space funk and dub step elements.

History

Early years: 1991–2002

Kora brothers Laughton, Francis, Stuart and Brad began playing together in the early 1990s in a band called ’Aunty Beatrice’, which won the 1991 Rockquest competition and the Battle Of The Bands three years in a row, earning a release on Tangata Records.[2] Dan McGruer, the only non-related member of Kora, studied commercial music at Whitireia Community Polytechnic and joined up with Laughton when they performed together in Queenstown band Soul Charge.[1]

In early 2002, core members Laughton and Dan recorded a four-song demo while living in Queenstown. Later that year the demo caught the attention of Wellington-based record label Recordings Aot(ear)oa who, in December, released the song "Barely Can See" on their LOOP Select 004 compilation album.[2] In 2002, Kora was formed.

First recordings: 2004–2007

Kora’s debut EP entitled Volume was released in late 2004 and achieved platinum status in March 2007 with over 10,000 copies sold.[3] Featuring the singles "Politician" and "Burning", the EP was independently produced and released by the band, recorded at The Surgey by Lee Prebble and mastered by Chris Faiumu of Fat Freddy's Drop.[4] Kora’s self-titled debut album was released in October 2007. It was recorded in New Zealand and mastered in London by Kevin Metcalfe at The Soundmasters International. It has sold in excess of 35,000 copies todate.[5]

Light Years: 2011-present

In March 2011, Kora released a music video for a new song titled 'Story Ain't Over' on YouTube,[6] and included a new heading on their official website stating "New album out 2011". It was announced on 2 September 2012 that their new album Light Years will be released on 26 October 2012. Light Years was released on schedule to rave reviews, the album went straight to number one on itunes where it remains, as at 1 November 2012. In 2013, Brad and Laughton left the band and they both worked on Kim Dotcom's album Good Times,[7] with Laughton Kora singing on Kim Dotcom's song "Change Your Life". Brad, Laughton and another musician also plan to launch their band The Empire, under Dotcom's record label.

Members

  • Francis Kora (bass guitar/vocals)
  • Stuart Kora (guitar/vocals)
  • Dan McGruer (bass guitar/keys/effects) [2]
Former members
  • Brad Kora (drums/vocals)
  • Laughton Kora (guitar/vocals)

Discography

Studio albums

  • Kora (2007)
  • Light Years (2012)

EPs

  • Volume (2004)

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/1072.html
  2. ^ a b c http://www.obscure.co.nz/profiles/kora
  3. ^ http://www.amplifier.co.nz/news/27246/koras-ep-volume-goes-platinum.html
  4. ^ http://www.amplifier.co.nz/news/19785/koras-ep-volume-goes-gold.html
  5. ^ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0710/S00270.htm
  6. ^ http://www.kora.co.nz
  7. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503432&objectid=11186815
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