Kora

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

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

Two of the four musical brothers from the Kora family, Laughton and 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 and Dan went out on their own, recording four tracks including Crazy Things and 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 and 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 eight.

The Band headed to the studio mid 2004 to lay down a limited edition EP for both their home market and 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.

Event listed by Tripodmusic Management

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