Music
Press
"Not since the likes of Green Day and AFI has a band with so much promise come out of the East Bay as Berkeley based Kaura...pulsating rhythms and a musical voice formed by journey's to India, Thailand, Bali, and Laos, if this is just the beginning, then we have a lot to look forward to." - San Francisco Weekly
“Kaura’s experiences abroad have added to their unique sound, and many consider them to be a lovechild of Tool and Kyuss if you will. And that’s not too far fetched considering that Kaura were invited to open for Tool, an honor few can boast. Their song ‘One Becomes Two’ may even inspire you to finally remove (Tool’s) ’10,000 Days’ from your car stereo and replace it with Kaura’s 2006 demo. “ - Zero Magazine
“While melding high concept art and haunting ancient instruments with good old fashion commercial appeal could be an arduous task for lesser bands, Kaura have managed to seamlessly knit a masterful debut effort. They have established that the ability to be universally appealing while hinting at conceptual cleverness is an asset for a band whose future, is undoubtedly bright." - Music Matters
"While I can't say Kaura is the best release of 2005 -- it's too early in the year for that -- I can say that of the releases I've heard so far, Kaura is one of the best. Kaura joins my list of personal favorites…I will remember Kaura in December when I write my "Best of 2005" article...Rating=A" - The Daily Vault
“First class stuff, and very impressive for such a new band...certainly an EP that leaves you wanting to hear what the band have in store for their first full length release. In the meantime, fans of Tool, Dredg, A Perfect Circle and heavy, melodic rock in general should track down a copy of this CD and get tickets if the band plays near them...Live, the band should be spectacular.” - NineHertz UK
“The result is a rich tapestry woven from the likes of electric guitar and tabla - done so well you can’t imagine this sounding any other way...Kaura’s vision is intriguing for those tired of the same old formulaic rock...” - Adequacy
“There's a U2 feel to the band's songwriting and everything is beautifully produced and well-executed...I very much look forward to hearing more from Kaura because I like their bold exploration.” - Rough Edge
Discography
Kaura EP-2005
Tracks from the EP have received play at LA's KROQ, both major rock stations in the Bay Area, Live 105 and 107.7, as well as college radio across the country, online radio throughout the world, and are currently in rotation on Sirius and XM Satellite Radio.
KAURA-First Full Length-Summer 2009
-Recorded at over 6 different studios throughout California including sessions with Sylvia Massy (Tool, System of a Down, Prince, RHCP).
Photos
Bio
Kaura (pronounced kay-aura) was born from the vision of infusing the aggressive power of hard, yet melodic rock with the haunting and ethereal sounds of ancient instruments. In the short time since the Berkeley-based band formed in 2005, they have been invited to open for TOOL, Rob Zombie and Godsmack by Bill Graham Presents, and had A Perfect Circle�s Paz Lenchantin play on their self released EP. In addition, they traveled to the distant lands of India, Thailand, Bali, Cambodia, Laos, and Nepal to seek out instruments and experiences to fully realize their vision; all of which was captured on their �Travels� DVD. They have received airplay on Bay Area radio stations such as 105.3 and 107.7 as well as Los Angeles�s World Famous KROQ. The band is currently finishing their first full-length album that has included work with Tool and System of a Down Producer/Engineer Sylvia Massy.
�We didn�t want to make it obvious as to what instruments you were listening to but rather blend them in subtly" explains drummer Benjamin Jones about the bands sound. �We wanted to have the ability to infuse hammered dulcimers with distorted guitars, gamelan bells and tabla with tribal drums to create this really expansive depth of sound." The band came to be after many years of envisioning the message, mood, sights and sounds that would be used to create the unique palette from which the vision of Kaura would be created. Comprised of Malcolm Guess (vocals, guitar, tabla), Benjamin Jones (drums, percussion), Donovan Hernandez (bass), Ben Rojas(guitar)and Yosh(hammered dulcimer, gamelan, percussion); the band sought to not only carve out a unique musical voice but also a different lyrical voice. "The lyrical focus is more on themes of evolution, re-birth, social and personal consciousness rather than the standard self-loathing, angry at-the-world fare of most hard rock bands" says Guess. Returning from their travels in 2006, they began writing material with their new instruments and the inspiration of their adventures. Though they have accomplished a lot in the short amount of time being a band, Guess suggests "we have only hinted at what's to come." With the band's first full length scheduled to drop in 2009, a lot of people are also looking forward to hearing what's to come.
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