Tora (band)

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.{{cite journal |date=22 October 2013 |title=Something in the Water at Surf Festival |url=http://issuu.com/echopublications/docs/byronecho2820/17?e=2296014/5305223 |journal=North Coast news daily |publisher=Byron Shire Echo |volume=28 |issue=20 |editor=Mandy Nolan |accessdate=15 April 2016}} 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.{{cite news | url = http://www.echonews.com.au/news/change-of-tune-at-con-music-to-their-ears/777415/ | title = Change of Tune at Con | publisher = Lismore Echo | date = 24 February 2011 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} In 2010 the three left Shearwater to attain a diploma in contemporary music served by Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre (NRCAC). They continued to perform as Alice Blu, including supporting gigs by the Beautiful Girls and by Daryl Braithwaite. According to Loewenthal, "The business classes helped us a lot with negotiating gigs and money and knowing how to promote ourselves."

In mid-2012 Loewenthal began experimenting in Melbourne with electronic music using Reason software while working full-time in call center. 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."{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2013/10/15/3869457.htm | title = Byron band Tora plays acoustic live in the studio | last = Burin | first =Margaret | publisher= ABC North Coast (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | date = 15 October 2013 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.hearty-vibes.com/2014/08/tora-no-2450.html |title=Tora (No 2450) |publisher= hearty-vibes.com |date=9 August 2014 |accessdate=19 February 2015}} The group's name is from the Greek word τώρα tṓra meaning "now".{{cite web | url = http://lifeisabanana.com/2013/09/24/introducing-tora/ | title= Introducing: Tora | publisher = Life Is a Banana | date = 24 September 2013 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} They released the first single, "Unobtainable", 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."{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/interviews/tora-byron-bay-on-songwriting-tours-and-everything-in-between | title = The AU Interview: Tora (Byron Bay) on Songwriting, Tours, and Everything in Between | last = LeFevre | first = Jules | publisher = the AU Review | date = 16 November 2014 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} According to Byron Bay Festival's correspondent, they played a "blend of ambient harmonies, layered rhythms and pulsing soundscapes."{{cite web | url = http://www.byronbaysurffestival.com.au/tora/ | title = Tora | publisher = Byron Bay Surf Festival | date = October 2014 | accessdate = 14 April 2016 }} Aside from electronica they perform in the new-age genre, chillwave.

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".{{cite web|url=http://www.crackintheroad.com/music/24519-stream-tora-tora-ep | title= Stream: Tora – Tora EP | last = Josh | work = Crack in the Road | date = 9 August 2014 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} 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." The band received high rotation on national radio as the single, "Calming Her", was entered in the Triple J Unearthed competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.indieshuffle.com/tora-calming-her/ |title= Tora – 'Calming Her' | work = Indie Shuffle | last = Longley | first = Marietta | date = 21 November 2013 | accessdate = 15 April 2015 }}{{cite web|url=http://soundinjections.net/post/62259974385/tora-calming-her-the-name-tora-comes-from-the |title= Tora – 'Calming Her | publisher = Sound Injections |date = 20 November 2013 | accessdate = 6 November 2015}} It received 100,000+ plays in its first three months of release. The band was invited to play their first large scale performance, at Falls Festival Byron Bay, on NYE.

In March 2014, Tora released their single, "These Eyes", which received 120,000+ plays within the first three weeks with support from blogs.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6BKzuRGe7g |title= Tora: These Eyes | via= YouTube |date=13 March 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2015}} It was written by Loewenthal and Tunis-Plant. 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." The release was followed up with a tour across some of the state capital cities (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne) in April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.liveguide.com.au/Tours/797337/Tora_These_Eyes_2014_Australian_Tour?event_id=955672 |title= Live Guide |publisher= live guide.com.au |date=4 March 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2015}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.purplesneakers.com.au/2014/06/tora-overcome-ft-potato-potato/ |title= Tora 'Overcome' Ft. Merryn Jeann |publisher= purple sneakers.com.au |date=1 June 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2015}} 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'.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoJtfpDWpmY |title= Tora: Overcome |publisher= TheSoundYouNeed |date=20 September 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2015}} 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.{{cite web | url = http://airit.org.au/airit/Tora-These-Eyes-Internet-Download.html | title = Tora – 'These Eyes' – Internet Download | work = AirIt | publisher = Amrap | date = 9 July 2014 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }}

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.{{cite web|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/miami-horror-stream-new-single-announce-australian-tour/ |title= Miami Horror Announce Tour |publisher= music feeds.com.au |date=9 July 2014 |accessdate=7 November 2015}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.hillydilly.com/2014/10/tora-eat-the-sun-2/ |title= Tora: Eat the Sun |publisher= .hillydilly.com |date=14 November 2014 |accessdate=7 November 2015}} They embarked on a national tour{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/news/young-guns-tora-announce-eat-the-sun-ep-and-tour | title= Young Guns Tora Announce Eat the Sun EP and Tour! | last = Story | first = Ebony | publisher = the AU Review | date = 24 October 2014 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4139609.htm | title = Falls Festival release more Byron Bay tickets, expand line-up | publisher = Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) | date = 1 December 2014 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} Their tracks, "Overcome" (featuring Potato Potato), "Admire", "Jaigantic" and "High Enough", have received high rotation on national radio station, Triple J's playlist.Tora's tracks on Triple J's playlists:

• "Overcome" (featuring Potato Potato), "These Days" (July 2014): {{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/homeandhosed/includes/HH_playlists_archive_July2014.htm | title = Program Playlists: Home and Hosed | last = Alessio | first = Dom | publisher = Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) | date = July 2014 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }}
• "Admire" – Eat the Sun (EP) (October 2014): {{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/kingsmill/playlist/s4115265.htm | title = 2014 with Richard Kingsmill | last = Kingsmill | first = Richard | authorlink = Richard Kingsmill | publisher = Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) | date = 26 October 2014 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }}
• "Jigantic" (January 2015): {{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/homeandhosed/playlist/s4162435.htm | title = Program Playlists: Home and Hosed | last = Alessio | first = Dom | publisher = Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) | date = January 2015 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }}
• "High Enough" (June 2015): {{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/kingsmill/playlist/s4263405.htm | title = 2015 with Richard Kingsmill | last = Kingsmill | first = Richard | publisher = Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) | date = 28 June 2015 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }}
• "High Enough" (July 2015): {{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/homeandhosed/playlist/s4266591.htm | title = Program Playlists: Home and Hosed | last = Alessio | first = Dom | publisher = Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) | date = 2 July 2015 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} Jaigantic' was remixed by heralded LA-based producer Galimatias, which has now clocked up 16M streams (2019).

With over 2 million streams on SoundCloud{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/toramusic |title= Tora: Soundcloud |website= SoundCloud |date=18 November 2015 |accessdate=18 November 2015}} 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.{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/interviews/tora-byron-bay-talk-crowd-interaction-being-away-from-home-and-more | title = The AU Interview at Canadian Music Week: Tora (Byron Bay) Talk Crowd Interaction, Being Away from Home and More! | last = Angeles | first = Jana | last2 = Heath | first2 = Larry | publisher = the AU Review | date = 18 June 2015 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} 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"{{cite web|url=http://www.hillydilly.com/2015/08/tora-latp/ |title= Hillydilly – LATP |publisher= hilly dilly.com |date=30 August 2015 |accessdate=18 November 2015}} Early October the band returned to Canada{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Toramusic/ |title= Media Announcement |via= Facebook |date=1 October 2015 |accessdate=13 November 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://first-avenue.com/event/2015/10/communion |title= TORA X SAFIA |publisher= First-avenue.com |date=October 2015 |accessdate=13 November 2015}} The European leg of their tour, from July to September, was filmed by Carlos Walters for his Vimeo documentary, Tora European Tour Diary 2015.{{cite web | url = https://vimeo.com/143218243 | title = Tora European Tour Diary 2015 Teaser | last = Walters | first = Carlos | via = Vimeo | date = October 2015 | accessdate = 15 April 2016 }} As summarized by Loewenthal on the band's return home "193 days, almost 80 shows and over 50,000 km of driving."{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jo.loewenthal |title= Media Announcement |via=Facebook |date=29 October 2015 |accessdate=13 November 2015}}

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.

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.

Tora's music has been compared to the likes of Sohn, Toro Y Moi and James Blake.,{{cite web|url=https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/tora |title= Review: Tora |publisher=Triple J Unearthed |date=21 July 2014 |accessdate=1 December 2015}} with characteristics of the Chillwave genre.{{cite web|url=http://blankgc.com.au/review-tora-tora/ |title= Review: Tora |publisher= Blankgc.com.au |date=21 January 2014 |accessdate=1 December 2015}}

• Managers – Martijn De Jong & Joris Van Welson (Attack & Release)
• Labels – Nuine & Believe Music (World Ex GSA) // Eighty Eight Days for GSA
• Agents – The Agency Group (America), Z|ART (Europe)

• Take a Rest (June 2017)
• Can't Buy the Mood (August 2019)
• A Force Majeure (September 2021)

• Tora EP (October 2013)
• Eat the Sun EP (October 2014)

• Unobtainable (May 2013)
• Practice (May 2013)
• Captivate (June 2013)
• Offering (August 2013)
• These Eyes (March 2014)
• Overcome feat. Merryn Jeann (June 2014)
• Eat the Sun (July 2014)
• High Enough (June 2015)
• LATP (August 2015)
• Poly Amor (May 2016)
• Twice (July 2016)
• Wouldn't Be The Same feat Keelan Mak (October 2018)
• Deviate (February 2019)
• Morphine (April 2019)
• Can't Buy The Mood (April 2019)

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://toramusic.com.au/}}
• {{URL| https://soundcloud.com/toramusic| Tora}} on SoundCloud
• {{URL| https://www.youtube.com/user/ToraSounds/videos | Tora}} on YouTube

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tora}}

Category:Australian electronic musicians

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)