KORA

Kora (formed in 2003) are a 5 piece band with huge live presence – vocal harmonies sailing on a powerhouse rhythm section. Solid musicians, the 4 brothers & Dan, Aotearoa (New Zealand).



Kora are; Laughton Kora on vocals, guitar, harmonica & keys; Francis Kora on bass, samples & vocals; Stuart Kora on guitar, keys & vocals; Brad Kora on drums and vocals & Dan McGruer on keys & bass.



Discography:

Kora recorded their first single & music video Politician which was play-listed by 15 stations nationwide and held the number 1 spot on Radio Scopes alternative charts for two weeks, whilst staying in the top ten for 8.



The Band headed to the studio mid 2004 to lay down a limited edition EP for both their home market & overseas release. So far the EP has reached No. 2 on IMNZ (Independent Music New Zealand) chart, No. 1 on the Groove Guide New Release charts and No. 3 on Amplifier’s 2004 best seller listings. EP Volume has reached Platinum status in NZ, it has also been picked up by Shock in Australia, & Shiva Records in the UK.



Kora’s debut self-titled album was released in NZ in 2007 and shot straight to the top of the Official NZ charts – debuting in the Number 1 slot and has now reached double platinum sales. Album is now available in Australia and UK/Europe.



Kora formed a calibration with music legends Cabaret Voltaire and released KORA KORA KORA – a Cabaret Voltaire remix of 7 tracks off Kora’s album.



Music awards include bNet Award, Vodafone Music Awards. They recently won the Vogel Award 2009 for Best Short Sci-Fi Work for their video “Skankenstein”.



LIVE:

Kora have performed at The Big Day Out 07 and rocked the mainstage in January 2010, Rhythm & Vines, Soundsplash & Splore & WOMAD Intl. They have played with the likes of Spearhead (Michael Franti) & Shihad.



Kora visited Australia for the first time in 2005 with Fat Freddy’s Drop and have since returned Aug 2007 to sell-out shows in Melbourne, Sydney & Byron Bay – they have also attended Pyramid Festival, Sydney Festival, Stone Festival, FreshFest, Playgorund & Quicksilver ProShow 2009.



Recently Kora performed at Koko’s in London & Scotland with Crazy P & Norman Jay. After the success of their March-July 2008 international WOMAD circuit which included: WOMADelaide, WOMAD NZ and WOMAD UK Kora were picked up by ITB (International Talent Bookings) and toured Europe in late 2008 selling-out their debut Amsterdam & Paris shows.



KORA toured in Japan for 2 Tokyo shows, performances in Minakami and Habuka in early February 2010. They performed at the Mosaic Festival in Singapore in March 2010.



Next up is Kora’s followup album due for a late 2010 release and a tour to the USA in spring of 2011.