kooii
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | INDIE
Music
Press
Kooii offer a dynamic live show made for dancing, delving from the hypnotic depths of reggae through to the pulsating groove of Afrobeat. Soulful melodies, three part harmonies, horns and an explosive rhythm section create an uplifting, heart-warming experience that leaves the listener relishing every last drop. - KOOII
A solid reggae tune... I love the sound of this one - great hook, and very easy to cruise along to... - Sarah Howells (Triple J Radio)
A solid reggae tune... I love the sound of this one - great hook, and very easy to cruise along to... - Sarah Howells (Triple J Radio)
Album Review: Kooii - In This Life
So often with an album one has to patiently sift through the sonic mud to find one or two granules of gold dust. Once again Kooii have saved you the trouble and delivered a heavy and robust nugget of first class afro-beat and soul. 'In This Life' is their long awaited second album, a follow up to their timeless debut 'Beads...'. The wealth of Peter Hunt's songwriting abilities marries effortlessly with an inspired rhythm section, sublime horns and brought together in a warm velvety mix by producer Paulie B. With 'In This Life' there are few Australian bands more deserving of international recognition. 5 stars!
Rudi Quinzalez
Rudekat Records
www.rudekatrecords.com
- Rudekat Records (2011)
When a band makes a debut album as stunning as Kooii's "Beads on a String" you have to ask the question...where to from here? Kooii's answer seems to be as simple as, where the music takes you. Their second long player "In This Life" certainly does that! Both albums are like book ends that perfectly complement each other and what you have left in-between, is pure music heaven!
Stephen Foster, Reggaetown World Music Festival.
www.reggaetown.com.au
- Stephen Foster - Reggaetown World Music Festival
“It is rare for bands to make a serious impact on the Australian music scene as soon as they are born, but then Kooii is anything but your average outfit. Over the past year this band has fast become one of Australia’s finest live outfits. And that magic has now been captured in studio, on Kooii’s stunning debut, Beads On A String. Combining reggae, jazz and Latin with a talent for writing songs that catch the rhythm of the listener’s step, Kooii play with deep and honest appreciation of their craft.“
- AIR (Association of Independent Records)
"This local Brissy band combines jazzy urban rhythms with funky reggae beats and resonant vocals to lull a listener into trance - like splendour. The mellow yet upbeat essence of this album can be likened to the styles of Jack Johnson and Bob Marley, which spirals through eleven unique tracks, all the while conjuring up images of tropical islands and laid back beach-side cafes. Kooii enters the musical world with a debut album that is every bit transitional as it is colourful carrying a distinct yet indefinable approach that'll make you feel blissfully relaxed and at ease. If music is supposed to ease stress, this definitely does the trick."
- Scene Magazine (July 2005)
“It is rare for bands to make a serious impact on the Australian music scene as soon as they are born, but then Kooii is anything but your average outfit. Over the past year this band has fast become one of Australia’s finest live outfits. And that magic has now been captured in studio, on Kooii’s stunning debut, Beads On A String. Combining reggae, jazz and Latin with a talent for writing songs that catch the rhythm of the listener’s step, Kooii play with deep and honest appreciation of their craft.“
- AIR (Association of Independent Records)
“It is good to see Australian bands giving their overseas cousins a run for their money! This album is soft on the ear, individualistic and yet grooves along. The mix of genres (Latin/jazz/reggae) cannot be carried off this well all that often, yet here is a band, Kooii, doing just that. The album will appeal to many people of diverse musical tastes, so tell your friends.” - Tony Bates, Highland FM
“It is good to see Australian bands giving their overseas cousins a run for their money! This album is soft on the ear, individualistic and yet grooves along. The mix of genres (Latin/jazz/reggae) cannot be carried off this well all that often, yet here is a band, Kooii, doing just that. The album will appeal to many people of diverse musical tastes, so tell your friends.” - Tony Bates, Highland FM
Discography
Beads On A String (2005) LP
In This Life (2010) LP
Call Out (2012) EP
Photos
Bio
Kooii are a band pushing boundaries in contemporary Australian music. Their compelling fusion of afrobeat, reggae and world rhythms, have earned them a glowing reputation, both on record and on stage. Their music brings together soulful vocals, three-part harmony and a deeply- set rhythm section in an ageless and familiar sound that echoes through city and country.
2012 was a year of exciting growth for the group which included performances at the Byron Bay Blues Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival, opening for Seun Kuti’s Brisbane show, a collaborative show with Ethiopian pianist, Samuel Yirga, and the release of their ‘Call Out’ Ep, which follows on from their two previous albums. Kooii returned to touring and recording in mid-2013 making a start on their 3rd album. They are looking to tour abroad in 2014 and take their music to various cultures around the world as well as continuing to grow their grassroots following with communities in their home country.
Over the last ten years, they have toured extensively throughout the Australia and New Zealand, gathering a devoted following along the way. Other festivals they have played include, Island Vibe, Reggaetown, the Kuranda Roots Festival and the Parihaka Festival (NZ).
The group’s lead-singer and trumpet player, Peter Hunt, seeds the majority of their songs influencing their distinct feeling and message. Cultivating these as well as group-compositions is the group’s core members all of which are highly expressive and skilled musos well traveled through many musical lands where they have collected the parts for their art. They are Dom Hede (drums), Tom Hinchliffe (bass), Lachlan Mitchell (guitar) and Conan Griffiths (guitar). Individual creativity shines strong while a unity between them serves the creation of music that moves on many levels.
On stage, Kooii deliver a dynamic live show made for dancing, delving from the hypnotic depths of reggae rhythms into the pulsating groove of Afrobeat via some Malian desert blues. The intrinsic understanding shared between these talented musicians allows for colourful and engaging improvisation. As a result, the music is free-flowing, uplifting, heart-warming and will leave you relishing every last drop.
In addition to 2012’s ‘Call Out’ Ep, Kooii has made two albums “In This Life” (2010), a stunning album that follows their landmark debut “Beads On A String” (2005).
Festival Appearances and Highlight Performances
Headlining show at Brisbane’s HiFi – 2013
Earth Frequency Festival – 2013
Support of Seun Kuti, Brisbane Powerhouse – 2012
Collaboration with Samuel Yirga, Melbourne Jazz Festival – 2012
Byron Bay Blues Festival – 2012
Rainbow Serpent Festival – 2012
Earth Frequency Festival – 2012
Woodford Folk Festival – 2012/13, 2009/10, 2006/7, 2005/6, 2004/5
Parihaka International Peace Festival (NZ) – 2010
Island Vibe Festival – 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006
Wallaby Ck Festival – 2011, 2006
Kuranda Roots – 2010
Qld Multicultural Festival – 2010
U-Tribe Festival – 2009
Reggaetown – 2005, 2006
Kuranda Reggae Festival – 2004
Brisbane Festival – 2006
Links
