KORA are back. Following in the wake of the soul-charging 2012 release Light Years, the experimental musical titans return with a brand new single to share with Aotearoa, and the world; “Carolina”.
Listen to “Carolina” here:
iTunes – https://geo.itunes.apple.com/nz/album/id1136057761?at=10lrHH&app=itunes
Apple Music – https://geo.itunes.apple.com/nz/album/id1136057761?ls=1
Spotify – http://open.spotify.com/track/0y8aTN2aWr8VVMFhVFXUee
With every new release, KORA has evolved their sound, drawing from wildly opposite parts of the musical spectrum to create something unique and untamed. “Carolina” embraces the riff-heavy grooves of which KORA has been known to rock, with a harmonic bed devoid of any synthesizers this time around.
“Carolina” is the first single ahead of a string of new singles in the works from the much-loved kiwi band. Of the new single, Francis Kora says: “Carolina is a metaphor for something/someone that is undeniably addictive. What that something or who that someone is, we have left open to suggestion.”
With a sold out show on August 5th and a second date following at Auckland’s Powerstation on August 6th, the popular group will perform with premiere reggae, roots legends Katchafire, with word of KORA shows to be announced for Summer 16/17.
The story of KORA began in Whakatane and Queenstown as the band took New Zealand by storm in the new millenium with their first EP, Volume in 2002. It was produced and released independently by the band, with the support of Lee Prebble who recorded it, and the mastering by Mu of Fat Freddy’s Drop.
In 2007, the band’s landmark debut album, KORA chartered a huge success on the New Zealand Top 40 album chart, where it remained for 57 weeks, peaking at #1. This was followed by double platinum album sales and a surge in their fan following, which was made even more powerful with their return in 2012 with the release of Light Years. The second album remained in the charts for 11 weeks, peaking in at #1 on the New Zealand music charts and #1 on the iTunes chart, following on to be another much-loved favourite among fans and music critics alike.
With their electrical live performances, the band have always been a favourite back home, as well as overseas, where they have spread their alternative fusion of funk, rock, roots, reggae, electronica, metal and beyond. KORA have become one of the country’s most popular live bands, solidifying themselves within New Zealand’s rich history of popular music.
Critic’s Praise:
“Kora are insanely hard to peg in a genre – they’ve been called mysterious musical superheroes and have labelled their latest sound alien funk.” Stuff
“…a force to reckon with.” NZ Entertainment Podcast
