Tora (band)

Last updated

TORA
Tora music band photo.JPG
Background information
Origin Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Chillwave, electronica
Years active2013 (2013)–present
LabelsNuine & Believe Music
Members
  • Thorne Davis
  • Shaun Johnston
  • Jo Loewenthal
  • Jai Piccone
Past membersTobias Tunis-Plant
Website toramusic.com.au

Tora is an Australian electronic band formed in Byron Bay, New South Wales in May 2013. The founding members are Tobias Tunis, Thorne Davis (drums), Shaun Johnston (bass guitar), Jo Loewenthal (lead vocals, guitar, and keys), and Jai Piccone (vocals, guitar, and keys). They have undertaken Australian and international tours. Their tracks have received rotation on the Australian national radio station, after winning Triple J Unearthed competition in 2014. [1]

Contents

History

2006–2012: Early Career

All Tora band members, (Jai Piccone, Jo Loewenthal, Shaun Johnston, Thorne Davis, and Tobias Tunis-Plant) attended Shearwater Steiner School in Mullumbimby, a town in New South Wales. [2] In 2006, while in high school, they formed an indie-rock band with Loewenthal on lead guitar and vocals, Tunis on drums and Johnston on bass guitar; band was later named Alice Blu. [3] In 2010 the three left Shearwater to attain a diploma in contemporary music served by Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre (NRCAC). [3] They continued to perform as Alice Blu, including supporting gigs by the Beautiful Girls and by Daryl Braithwaite. [3] According to Loewenthal, "The business classes helped us a lot with negotiating gigs and money and knowing how to promote ourselves." [3]

2012–2013: Formation

In mid-2012 Loewenthal began experimenting in Melbourne with electronic music using Reason software while working full-time in call center. [4] He reconnected with Davis. Tunis-Plant was traveling Europe and developing new song ideas while Johnston was undertaking a Bachelor of Audio Engineering at John Martin Cass Academy. At the end of 2012, Davis and Loewenthal moved back to Byron Bay; "After moving back up from Melbourne, we decided to make a more electronic-fused band and incorporate electronic production." [5] From October Loewenthal and Tunis-Plant resumed their songwriting partnership for electronic-infused music. In January 2013, Loewenthal began teaching music to Piccone, after which they formed a songwriting partnership. When Johnston returned from Melbourne in May 2013, Tora was officially formed. [6] The group's name is from the Greek word τώρα tṓra meaning "now". [7] They released the first single, "Unobtainable", [4] co-written by Loewenthal and Tunis-Plant.

Later Loewenthal said, "We just started making music in our bedroom, which was like a big granny flat sort of thing. The first Tora track we made in four days – 'Unobtainable' – it just came together, and we were like 'wow'. Electronic music is so much more fun to play and make... So we made that track then stewed on it, then made heaps of tracks – then after a while we just decided to put them up and see what people thought. We got a much better reaction than we'd ever had for Alice Blu – so we were a bit excited about that." [4] According to Byron Bay Festival's correspondent, they played a "blend of ambient harmonies, layered rhythms and pulsing soundscapes." [8] Aside from electronica they perform in the new-age genre, chillwave. [9] [10]

2013: Debut extended play

In October 2013, Tora released their debut self-titled seven-track extended play, which had "swirling, electronica influenced pop, drawing from the likes of SOHN & James Blake". [11] Crack in the Road reviewer, Josh, commented that the group were "rather bizarre in a way, in that they’re seemingly the opposite of the 'make a shit load of noise' model, keeping it somber yet beautiful, opting to rely on minimal, sparse beats and haunting vocals." [11] The band received high rotation on national radio as the single, "Calming Her", was entered in the Triple J Unearthed competition. [10] [1] [12] It received 100,000+ plays in its first three months of release. [9] The band was invited to play their first large scale performance, at Falls Festival Byron Bay, on NYE. [9]

2014: Eat the Sun

In March 2014, Tora released their single, "These Eyes", which received 120,000+ plays within the first three weeks with support from blogs. [9] [13] It was written by Loewenthal and Tunis-Plant. [9] Amrap's AirIt's reviewer described the track, "The vocal soothes our soul, and reminds us we still have one. We're not left waiting for a drop or a climax because all we want is for the chill wave to continue indefinitely. Vocal cutting, lush synths and xylophone attach to your psyche, leaving you nothing but residual warmth." [9] The release was followed up with a tour across some of the state capital cities (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne) in April 2014. [14] Over the next few months Tunis began working with female vocalist Merryn Jeann from fellow band, Potato Potato. According to Loewenthal, "most of the song was created in our bedrooms." [15] Soon after her vocals were developed into a track titled 'Overcome ft. Merryn Jeann' released early July 2014 and marked as their most successful release, receiving blog action from channels like 'TheSoundYouNeed'. [16] A month earlier Tora won the regional leg of the Unearthed competition; consequently they opened the main stage at Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay. [4] [9]

In September 2014 Tora accepted a support slot with Miami Horror on their "Wild Motion (Set it Free)" tour again playing in Australia's major cities. [17] On return Tora released their second EP, Eat the Sun, in November 2014 with tracks "from candle-lit R&B jams, to soothing, electronically laced ballads." [18] They embarked on a national tour [19] with their Sydney and Port Macquarie performances completely sold-out. The year finished up with a run of shows at 'The Falls Arts & Music Festival 2014' in Byron Bay with Tora on the line-up along with bands such as Alt-J, Jamie XX, BadBadNotGood & Glass Animals. [20] Their tracks, "Overcome" (featuring Potato Potato), "Admire", "Jaigantic" and "High Enough", have received high rotation on national radio station, Triple J's playlist. [21] Jaigantic' was remixed by heralded LA-based producer Galimatias, which has now clocked up 16M streams (2019).

2015: International Tour

With over 2 million streams on SoundCloud [22] alone, Tora had an international tour in April 2015. In June they were at the Canadian Music Week after having performed in Los Angeles, New York, Montreal, Quebec and Sherbrooke. [23] Starting with the 'High Enough' tour in Canada the band continued through to Europe for the summer playing internationally acclaimed festivals, such as The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, Fusion Festival in Germany, and Glastonbury Music Festival in UK alongside acts such as Pharrell Williams, The Who, Glass Animals, Jon Hopkins, & Jack Garratt. 25 August the quintet release an original work titled "LATP" [24] Early October the band returned to Canada [25] for another run of shows before finishing up in America with CMJ Festival in New York City and a North American tour with fellow Australian band SAFIA. [26] The European leg of their tour, from July to September, was filmed by Carlos Walters for his Vimeo documentary, Tora European Tour Diary 2015. [27] As summarized by Loewenthal on the band's return home "193 days, almost 80 shows and over 50,000 km of driving." [28]

2017–2018: Take A Rest

In 2017 Tora released their debut album, 'Take A Rest', which was added to high rotation on Triple J and received acclaim from Elton John (Beats 1), Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1), BBC 6 Music, rotation on Germany's Flux FM and Radio Eins, as well as being a favourite amongst global tastemakers such as Line of Best Fit, Indie Shuffle and Pigeons & Planes.

After playing at Glastonbury, Splendour in the Grass, The Great Escape, Canadian Music Week, and also supporting artists like RÜFÜS DO SOL, SAFIA and Miami Horror, the release of 'Take A Rest' saw Tora return to touring the world, supporting the likes of Oh Wonder (UK), as well as showcasing the album live through the UK, Europe and Australia and performing their own sold-out shows in London, Amsterdam, Paris, Melbourne and in Byron Bay.

Much of this time was also spent working on new material, spending focused time in London, LA, Berlin and Amsterdam writing and collaborating. In 2019, they had around 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

In 2018 Tora released 'Wouldn't Be The Same' featuring Brisbane artist Keelan Mak. The track has clocked over 2 million streams.

2019: Can't Buy The Mood

On 1 March, Tora released 'Deviate', which was Co-written and co-produced in London at the RAK Studios with Roy Kerr (London Grammar, Lana Del Rey). This laid the foundations for the announcement of second album 'Can't Buy The Mood' (9 August 2019 via LUSTRE) a body of work deeply inspired by themes of human connection. Whilst Can't Buy The Mood was primarily made in the region of Byron Bay, the band also ventured into studio spaces in LA, London and Amsterdam to work on the album. Completely written and produced by the band themselves, they also did all the design and artwork, completing an artistic vision which was key to the experience of the album. With field recordings once again a key feature, the album includes 13 tracks.

Musical style

Tora's music has been compared to the likes of Sohn, Toro Y Moi and James Blake. [29] , with characteristics of the Chillwave genre. [30]

Labels, Agencies & Management

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple J</span> Australian national radio station

Triple J is a government-funded, national Australian radio station that began broadcasting in 1975 as a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). It aims to appeal to young listeners of alternative music, and plays more Australian content than commercial networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Butler Trio</span> Australian rock band

The John Butler Trio were an Australian roots-rock band led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler, an APRA and ARIA-award-winning musician. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums, Gavin Shoesmith on bass and John Butler on vocals. By 2009, the trio consisted of Butler with Byron Luiters on bass and Nicky Bomba on drums and percussion, the latter being replaced by Grant Gerathy in 2013. After both Luiters and Gerathy exited the trio in early 2019, bassist OJ Newcomb and drummer Terepai Richmond joined the band, accompanied by touring musician Elana Stone on keyboards, percussion and backing vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cat Empire</span> Australian band

The Cat Empire are an Australian jazz/funk band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1999. For most of the band's duration, the core members were Felix Riebl, Harry James Angus, Will Hull-Brown (drums), Jamshid "Jumps" Khadiwhala, Ollie McGill and Ryan Monro. Monro retired from the band in March 2021, while Angus, Hull-Brown and Khadiwhala all left in April 2022. They are often supplemented by The Empire Horns, a brass duo composed of Ross Irwin (trumpet) and Kieran Conrau (trombone), among others. Their sound is a fusion of jazz, funk, ska, and rock with heavy Latin influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grinspoon</span> Australian rock band

Grinspoon are an Australian rock band from Lismore, New South Wales, formed in 1995 and fronted by Phil Jamieson on vocals and guitar with Pat Davern on guitar, Joe Hansen on bass guitar and Kristian Hopes on drums. Also in 1995, Grinspoon won the Triple J–sponsored Unearthed competition for Lismore, with their post-grunge song "Sickfest". The name "Grinspoon" was taken from Dr. Lester Grinspoon, an associate professor emeritus of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, who supported marijuana for medical use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hilltop Hoods</span> Australian hip-hop group

Hilltop Hoods is an Australian hip hop group that formed in 1996 in Blackwood, Adelaide, South Australia. They are regarded as pioneers of the "larrikin-like" style of Australian hip hop. The group was founded by Suffa and Pressure, who were joined by DJ Debris after fellow founder, DJ Next, left in 1999. The group released its first extended play, Back Once Again, in 1997 and have subsequently released eight studio albums, two "restrung" albums and three DVDs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parkway Drive</span> Australian metalcore band

Parkway Drive are an Australian metalcore band from Byron Bay, New South Wales, formed in 2003. Parkway Drive have released seven studio albums, one EP, two DVDs, a split album and one book, titled Ten Years of Parkway Drive. The band's latest three albums have reached number 1 of the Australian ARIA Charts – Ire (2015), Reverence (2018), and Darker Still (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karnivool</span> Australian rock band

Karnivool is an Australian progressive metal band formed in Perth, Western Australia in 1998. The group currently consists of Ian Kenny on vocals, Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking on guitar, Jon Stockman on bass, and Steve Judd on drums. Karnivool emerged from a band Kenny and Goddard formed during high school. They have released three studio albums to date, the most recent of which (Asymmetry) was released in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Presets</span> Australian electronic music duo

The Presets are an Australian electronic music duo of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. Formed in 2003 and signed to Modular Records, The Presets released two EPs in advance of their debut album, Beams, released in 2005 to positive critical response. After two years of touring, including as the Australian support for Daft Punk, the band's 2008 release, Apocalypso, debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart, and went on to win six awards at ARIA Awards 2008, including Album of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue King Brown</span> Australian band

Blue King Brown are an Australian urban roots ensemble formed in 2003 in Byron Bay by mainstays Nattali Rize and Carlo Santone. They have released three studio albums, Stand Up, Worldwize Part 1 – North & South – which reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 50 – and Born Free. They have toured nationally and internationally; and supported concerts by Santana, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Damian Marley, the John Butler Trio, the Cat Empire, Silverchair, Dispatch and Powderfinger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tame Impala</span> Australian psychedelic music project

Tame Impala is the psychedelic music project of Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. In the recording studio, Parker writes, records, performs, and produces all of the project's music. As a touring act, Tame Impala consists of Parker, Dominic Simper, Jay Watson, Cam Avery, and Julien Barbagallo. The group has a close affiliation with fellow Australian psychedelic rock band Pond, sharing members and collaborators, including Nick Allbrook, formerly a live member of Tame Impala. Originally signed to Modular Recordings, Tame Impala is now signed to Interscope Records in the United States and Fiction Records in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Paper Scissors</span>

The Paper Scissors were an Australian rock band that existed between 2005 and 2012. The last line-up consisted of Jai Pyne, Xavier Naughton and Ivan Lisyak. Their sound was described as "a combination of garage-punk, rock and soul". Australian music site Polaroids of Androids described them as "undoubtedly one of Sydney's finest bands of the past decade"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papa vs Pretty</span> Australian rock band

Papa vs Pretty was an Australian rock band from Sydney, New South Wales. Originally the solo act of then 15-year-old Thomas Rawle in 2006, Papa vs Pretty became a three-piece band in 2008 with the addition of Rawle's friends Angus Gardiner and Tom Myers, and a quartet in 2012 with the arrival of Luke Liang. On Monday 30 June 2014, the band announced their breakup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ball Park Music</span> Australian indie rock band

Ball Park Music is an Australian five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane consisting of Sam Cromack, Jennifer Boyce, Paul Furness, Dean Hanson and Daniel Hanson. Since forming in 2008, the band has released seven studio albums. Their debut, Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs (2011), was nominated for Australian Album of the Year at the J Awards, and its 2012 follow-up, Museum, debuted at number nine on the ARIA charts. Their third album, Puddinghead (2014), was supported by the certified-platinum lead single "She Only Loves Me When I'm There".

The Walking Who is the stage name of Rohin Brown, an Australian musician, audio engineer, record producer and film maker. The name originated from his Australian psychedelic rock band, which he formed in 2010 in Wollongong. Original fellow members were Jay "Bird" Drury on bass guitar and Paul Mclean on drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Smith Street Band</span> Australian rock band

The Smith Street Band are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, Victoria, in which the titular Smith Street can be found. The band have released five extended plays and six studio albums, No One Gets Lost Anymore (2011), Sunshine and Technology (2012), Throw Me in the River (2014), More Scared of You than You Are of Me (2017), Don't Waste Your Anger (2020) and Life After Football (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Hearts Wake</span> Australian metalcore band

In Hearts Wake are an Australian metalcore band from Byron Bay, formed in 2006. The band comprises vocalist Jake Taylor, guitarists Eaven Dall and Ben Nairne, and drummer Conor Ward. They have released five studio albums: Divination, Earthwalker, Skydancer, Ark and Kaliyuga, which was released on 7 August 2020. The band's lyrical themes include environmentalism, environmental justice, global warming, conservation, and other social issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Kingsmill</span> Australian rock musician (born 1956)

Mark Adrian Kingsmill is an Australian rock musician. He has drummed with several bands including the Hitmen (1979–84), New Christs (1983–84), the Screaming Tribesmen (1984) and Hoodoo Gurus. He is the older brother of Richard Kingsmill, former music director and presenter on Triple J.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Holy (Australian band)</span> Australian indie rock band

Holy Holy are an Australian indie rock band formed by songwriters Timothy Carroll and Oscar Dawson (guitar) in 2011. The pair were later joined by touring musicians Ryan Strathie (drums), Graham Ritchie and Matt Redlich. They have released four top-20 studio albums and have been nominated for two ARIA Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parcels (band)</span> Australian electropop band

Parcels are an Australian electropop five-piece formed in Byron Bay, Australia, in 2014. Today they are based in Berlin, Germany. The band's line-up is composed of keyboardist Louie Swain, keyboardist/guitarist Patrick Hetherington, bassist Noah Hill, drummer Anatole "Toto" Serret, and guitarist Jules Crommelin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skegss</span> Australian surf rock band

Skegss are an Australian surf and garage rock duo trio originally from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, who formed in 2014. The band's line-up consists of Jonny Lani (drums) and Ben Reed.

References

  1. 1 2 Stevens, Rodney (17 July 2014). "Byron band Tora to play Splendour after winning Unearthed". Northern Star . Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Mandy Nolan, ed. (22 October 2013). "Something in the Water at Surf Festival". 28 (20). Byron Shire Echo . Retrieved 15 April 2016.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Change of Tune at Con". Lismore Echo. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 LeFevre, Jules (16 November 2014). "The AU Interview: Tora (Byron Bay) on Songwriting, Tours, and Everything in Between". the AU Review. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Burin, Margaret (15 October 2013). "Byron band Tora plays acoustic live in the studio". ABC North Coast (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Tora (No 2450)". hearty-vibes.com. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Introducing: Tora". Life Is a Banana. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Tora". Byron Bay Surf Festival. October 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Tora – 'These Eyes' – Internet Download". AirIt. Amrap. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  10. 1 2 Longley, Marietta (21 November 2013). "Tora – 'Calming Her'". Indie Shuffle. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  11. 1 2 Josh (9 August 2014). "Stream: Tora – Tora EP". Crack in the Road. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "Tora – 'Calming Her". Sound Injections. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "Tora: These Eyes". 13 March 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2015– via YouTube.
  14. ↑ "Live Guide". live guide.com.au. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  15. ↑ "Tora 'Overcome' Ft. Merryn Jeann". purple sneakers.com.au. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "Tora: Overcome". TheSoundYouNeed. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "Miami Horror Announce Tour". music feeds.com.au. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Tora: Eat the Sun". .hillydilly.com. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  19. ↑ Story, Ebony (24 October 2014). "Young Guns Tora Announce Eat the Sun EP and Tour!". the AU Review. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "Falls Festival release more Byron Bay tickets, expand line-up". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). 1 December 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  21. ↑ Tora's tracks on Triple J's playlists:
  22. ↑ "Tora: Soundcloud". SoundCloud . 18 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  23. ↑ Angeles, Jana; Heath, Larry (18 June 2015). "The AU Interview at Canadian Music Week: Tora (Byron Bay) Talk Crowd Interaction, Being Away from Home and More!". the AU Review. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Hillydilly – LATP". hilly dilly.com. 30 August 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  25. ↑ "Media Announcement". 1 October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015– via Facebook.
  26. ↑ "TORA X SAFIA". First-avenue.com. October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  27. ↑ Walters, Carlos (October 2015). "Tora European Tour Diary 2015 Teaser" . Retrieved 15 April 2016– via Vimeo.
  28. ↑ "Media Announcement". 29 October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015– via Facebook.
  29. ↑ "Review: Tora". Triple J Unearthed. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  30. ↑ "Review: Tora". Blankgc.com.au. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.