Music
Press
Ura, unlike the other bands, have a very 'commercial' sound and appeal. This factor probably saw them out of the running, but will prove to be valuable for the band over time. Slick, professional, and fairly spotless; Ura were yet again a band that is almost 'too good' for what is essentially a competition for newbies.
Theoretically, that's not what the competition is geared for, but it seems par for the course that new bands flock to competitions, and although Ura are a new band, they are by no means inexperienced. If you like your rock a little more 'stadium' then Ura will give you a chubby for sure. - Xpress Magazine (WA)
Ura - Small Tokens (Westlink Multimedia/Orient Pacific Music)
Perth band Ura have released a new single, 'Small Tokens', which follows on from their mini-LP The Seren Sessions Live.
Utilising gentle synthesisers over a smooth vocal from singer/songwriter Dan Bowles and nice instrumentation from the five-piece outfit, 'Small Tokens' is an easy listen with plenty of commercial potential.
The single also includes a couple of B-sides from the mini-LP, both of which showcase the band?s musical capabilities.
The use of turntables and samples add something unique to the mix, differentiating Ura from their peers in the local pop crowd.
We will look forward to a full-length release from this band. - Time Off Magazine (Qld)
Discography
Small Tokens (Single) Released Oct '05. Spot play on JJJ, RTR, RRR.
Box (EP) Released Sep '06. Title track received spot play on JJJ and top 50 of JJJ Unearthed.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Ura formed in July 2004 when singer/guitarist Dan Bowles presented a collection of demos to friend and drummer Bram Wright. One of these “demos”, the mellow electro track Thirty Two, had already been included on a compilation CD alongside artists such as Kinobe and Goldfrapp. Bram, in turn, recruited keyboardist Nick Fielding (a classical pianist – who had found local recognition playing Rhodes piano in the Perth funk act Crazy Phil’s Finely Tuned Funk Machine), Ash Sinclair joined on bass, and the quartet began building a credible live reputation in its home town of Perth.
After only a few months, the live mini-LP The Seren Sessions was released as a limited pressing and sold out almost immediately; testament to the quality set the band has become renowned for performing.
In late 2005, the single Small Tokens was released to some critical acclaim, giving Time Off magazine cause to state : "Utilising gentle synthesisers over a smooth vocal from singer/songwriter Dan Bowles and nice instrumentation from the four-piece outfit, 'Small Tokens' is an easy listen with plenty of commercial potential." The track received airplay on national broadcaster JJJ, Sydney station 2RRR as well as 96FM and RTRFM among others.
2006 has seen Ura’s audience expand and its live reputation grow with Xpress Magazine’s Mike Wafer labelling the band as “slick” and “professional. If you like your rock a little more ‘stadium’, Ura will give you a chubby for sure”.
Ura has now released the EP Box, which promises to firmly embed the band on the Australian music map. With help from recording legend JJ Allom (Massive Attack, David Bowie) and self-produced, this diverse 6 song release showcases the band’s considerable all-round musical talents and the title track should prove to be an instant radio favourite.
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