Kora at WOMAD
Kora, Four Maori brothers and their adopted "bro" took over the WOMAD site in the afternoon drawing a huge and very appreciative crowd. A great festival surprise was in store as these dub-heavy guys set the place alight with their blend of funk, backbeat, rock and blues. They gripped the crowd which grew as word got round that something special was going down on the Open Air stage, despite the high temperatures Kora had everybody jumping around. The performance was nothing short of spectacular, Kora knows a thing or two about how to connect with a crowd, the strong Maori influence made Kora a new and quite unique experience. Their newly released album has gone platinum in their homeland, which might give you a clue as to just how good these multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist and interchangeable guys really are, and with the Red Arrows fly past toward the end of the set we had perfection in the sun - it was over all too soon but if you missed these guys they will be back in the UK in the Autumn so keep an eye out for Kora.

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

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

Two of the four musical brothers from the Kora family, Laughton & Brad, began playing together in the early 1990’s in a band called Aunty Beatrice. They won the National Rock Quest high school competition in 1991 and the East Coast region of the Battle of the Bands three years running. Dan McGruer studied commercial music at Whitireia Community College and is the only non-related member of Kora. He first hooked up with Laughton when they performed together in Queenstown band Soul Charge playing and writing their own music.

In 2001 Laughton & Dan went out on their own, recording four tracks including Crazy Things & Barely Can See with guest artist Lilou from Madagascar. Barely Can See has been released on Loop’s 2002 Select 004 and on the EMI 2004 compilation - Conscious Roots which has since gone platinum.

In 2002, Kora was formed as a five-piece, with brothers Brad, Francis & Stu. Kora recorded their music video Politician after winning Coke Cola’s Launchpad and have been featured in several documentaries including TVNZ’s the Living Room in April 2004. Politician 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 Inertia Music in Australia, Shiva Records in the UK and Unity Records in Hawaii.

Kora have completed NZ shows including The Big Day Out, Rhythm & Vines, Soundsplash & Splore & are lined up to appear in WOMAD 2008. They have played with the likes of Spearhead (Michael Franti) & Shihad.

Kora visited Australia for the first time during April 2005 with Salmonella Dub & Fat Freddy’s Drop and subsequently touring in Aug 2007 to sellout shows in Melbourne, Sydney & Byron Bay. Kora are returning on 30th December 2007 to attend the Pyramid Festival in Victoria.

They have just returned from a September 2007 show in London & Scotland with Crazy P & Norman J. They picked up a 2006 bNet Award for their radio release of “Flow”.

Kora’s debut self-titled album was released on 15th October 2007 and shot straight to the top of the Official NZ charts – debuting in the Number 1 slot. Kora are showing no signs of slowing down.

“Undoubtedly one to watch for the future, Kora are a band that’s spread out both geographically and sonically.”
The Package Feb 06.

Kora Official Website

Kora MySpace