In some strange way, New Zealand’s Kora have managed to simultaneously fit in perfectly with the new wave of dub/reggae bands emerging out of their country, while also completely standing out from the pack. Taking their moniker from the family name of the four Maori brothers Laughton, Francis, Stuart and Brad Kora who make up the group (along with the ‘token white guy’ Dan McGruer, as he’s described), there’s definitely a strong reggae/dub vibe in their music. But marks them out is all the other influences that are present in their music – funk, blues, house music and most importantly, a hard rockin’ vibe that has distinguished them as one of the most talked-about live acts to emerge from across the Tasman in quite a while.

After many appearances in Australia, both at our festivals like Playground Weekender as well as a series of their own solo shows, Kora are back to support Cog on an extensive national tour as well bringing some more attention to their self-titled debut album. With the tour kicking off this weekend, ITM talks to Kora.

Who are Kora?

Kora are a bunch of guys (four brothers and one token white guy) that thought of the idea of putting out music but using our own styles and flavours.

What does ‘Kora’ actually mean, and why did you choose that name?

Kora is actually our family name. So it really means a lot to us to use that name. It kinda sorted the title. Simple, and not that hard remember.

What are you working on at the moment?

Well, we’ve had a pretty heavy summer this year. And the boys just released the self-titled album late last year. That took a fair bit of work. We’ve just been hitting all the Aussie and NZ festivals, and a couple of headliners as well. It’s been bloody awesome. We focusing on London and Australia more now, and setting our sites off shore.

Where and when did you guys start playing music together?

As Kora we started around 2003 when the whole dub scene was blowing up around the country. Laughton and Dan were in a band down Queenstown called Soul Charge. Lawts was keen to involve Fran, Stu and myself and form under the name KORA. I tell yah man, the first two years were bloody hard. Especially after leaving a covers band where you were ‘guaranteed’ a payout, haha But my brothers and I gigged in bars and clubs from a really early age with our father.

Where are you based now?

Stu and I are still in our hometown Whakatane. Laughton is living in Orewa. Fran and Dan down in Wellington. Yep, we’re all spread all over the country, but I think that keeps it fresh. Especially after a hardout tour man.

Who were your early musical influences?

That’s a hard one, because it’s pretty universal. Mr Bungle, Iron Maiden, Donny Hathaway, Sly and Robbie, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen etc…. A lot of house and dub as well man.

What kinds of music do you listen to yourselves?

I love listening to virtuoso guitar heroes like Vinnie Moore, Steve Vai etc. Dr Dre is another favourite. That dude has got some pretty tight production. Simple but effective.

How would you describe your sounds to an Aussie that had never heard you guys before?

I’d say it’s different that’s for sure. A mix of rock and heavy bass with a touch of Prince in there as well, haha.

What impact do you hope your music will have on the way the world is?

I think it’s gonna take a bit more than music to change the world at the moment. I wouldn’t even know where to start there. Unfortunately you watch the news and see the same shit happen everyday and it ain’t looking too good.

What does music mean to you?

It’s another life to me. When I play I feel I can be anything I want and I aint got no boss up my ass telling me what to wear or how to act. Most people spend most of there lifes in servitude to someone else whos making a killing while the other guys just getting by paying rent. I’m just lucky that music is a job now and one that i’m fortunate enough to have.

How much of an influence has growing up in New Zealand had on your music do you think?

You can hear it and feel it in our music and live shows. It’s a small country, so Kiwis tend to help each other out. It’s really cool to pull up to a festival in NZ and you have that family feel backstage.

Who do you have to thank for your success?

Michelle our manager, for starters. Shit man she’s been through thick and thin with us from the beginning. Also our dad, who drilled us to practice from a young age.

What’s it like being a part of the New Zealand music scene?

It’s bloody awesome man. The music industry is so tight and it’s really good to have other bands like Salmonella Dub, Katchafire,Shapeshifter and so forth to help us out along the way.

Where would you rather be: doing a live show or in a recording studio?

Live show hands down. It’s really hard to play to a brick wall in studio man, haha. A lot of our fan base has come from our live performances, and we tend to try and keep it that way I hope.

Which of your tracks is your personal favourite and why?

Culture. It’s quite a haunting song, and really sits well for us especially being Maori boys. Yeah man I jam that song out a lot.

Where do you hope your music will take you in the future?

I’ve done and seen things that I thought I would never do. From here it’s just the cream of the cake. Still counting my lucky stars.

Kora’s self-titled Album is out in Australia through Shock Records, catch them live when they support Cog on their national tour…

Thursday 15th May: Palace Theatre, Melbourne
Friday 16th May : Enmore Theatre (Licensed all ages), Sydney
Saturday 17th May: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Wednesday 28th May: Wollongong Uni Bar, Woollongong
Thursday 29th May: Uni of Canberra, Canberra
Friday 30th May: Newcastle Panthers, Newscastle
Saturday 31st May: Sawtell RSL, Sawtell

And check out this clip for an idea of what Kora is all about…