Kora

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.