Katchafire Legacy – Bio
KatCHAFIRE – LEGACY x
KatCHAFIRE – LEGACY x
KatCHAFIRE – LEGACY No.3 Most Streamed New Zealand Artist of 2018!! NZ – https://umusicnz.lnk.to/KatchafireLegacy WORLD exNZ – smarturl.it/katchafire-legacy KATCHAFIREreleased their highly anticipated 5th studio album ‘LEGACY’ (Universal NZ / Zojak Worldwide) on 1st June 2018, and within hours hit No.1 on the New Zealand iTunes album chart and No.1 on the USA iTune Reggae chart. The ‘LEGACY’ album also impacted iTunes charts around the world… No.1 in Fiji, No.8 in Poland, No.24 in Australia, No.56 in Lichtenstein and Ivory Coast, No.57 in USA, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Maldives, Myanmar, Palestine and Libyan Arab Jamahiriya!! The ‘LEGACY’ album has spawned 4 singles & videos so far ‘Addicted’, ‘Way Beyond’, ‘Love Today’, and the latest release ‘100’ (5 Oct 2018). The next single/video is schedule for January 2019 release. KATCHAFIRE were nominated for Group Of The Year at the Island Music Awards in Hawaii in June, and were also nominated for Best Roots Artist & Best Maori Artist at the 2018 New Zealand Music Awards (Nov 2018). The ‘LEGACY’ album is exciting and fresh with messages of love, hope, togetherness, and family, featuring 12 brand new songs that the boys worked on between their extremely busy touring schedule, bringing you vibes, sounds and harmonies you expect from the brothers of the ‘Fire with some brand new feels and flavours sprinkled in the recipe.
Hailing from Kirikiriroa in Aotearoa (Hamilton in New Zealand)KATCHAFIREhave become a global roots reggae phenomenon. The all Maori reggae band bring their pure classic sound to music lovers worldwide delivering one of the most authentic Reggae shows around today. They didn’t come from privilege, they didnt have famous parents; they were ruff n tumble youths who had their lives changed by reggae music who have grown into humble husbands and fathers still finding joy spreading the love all over the world. With their previous four successful studio albums, multiple awards, platinum sales, high-selling singles and a massive fanbase selling out shows around the world, the band have been celebrating 20 years of existence on their Legacy Tour. KATCHAFIREhave created a universal vibe, crafting their sound from the foundations of classic roots reggae with an R’n’B and funk rub, fusing modern dancehall and with slinky pop, cool grooves and uplifting vibes. Built on a family movement, former lead guitarist Grenville Bell, father of lead singer Logan Bell & drummer / singer Jordan Bell, moved into and utilized a retired 2nd floor apartment office block in hte heart of Kirikiriroa which acted as the central hub where a handful of musicians along with his then teenage sons could make music all night long… the rest is history. After countless jams and sold out concerts, they swelled to an 8-piece collective of multi-talented songwriters and musicians and have become a staple on the Californian, European and Pacific Roots scenes. Speaking about the new ‘LEGACY’ album Logan Bell said“The brothers are excited to bring new music to our Fire family… We have been working hard to bring some new fire. It’s sounding great to our ears and we can’t wait to share the music with everybody.” Brother Jordan Bell said“The way this came together is the epitome of the legacy kaupapa (theme). Katchafire is such a huge family – not only the core members but local and international members,to join us on and off stage.You have been extremely import to us on this journey.We have always been grateful and this is why we always giveback by bringing as many of our brothers colleagues and pairs on this journey to share these great experiences and to share the goodness and opportunities. You have all played a part.A true family effort and labour of love”. Recent line-up changes have added new fuel to the ‘Fire and the first three singles from the LEGACY album – ‘Addicted’, ‘Way Beyond’ & ‘Love Today’ – have been picking up airplay on roots reggae radio & playlists around the world, with ‘Love Today’ hitting the Top 20 on the Global Reggae Chart. Latest release ‘100’ is a fan favourite and hit the NZ Hot Singles chart weeks before being released as a single! The 12 songs on this album were recorded in numerous studios around the world, from New Zealand & Australia to LA & Hawaii to Jamaica, featuring collaborations with some of reggae’s finest. Along with the core members ofKATCHAFIRE –Logan Bell (Vocals, Guitars, Bass),Jordan Bell (Vocals, Drums),Leon Davey (Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Percussion),Tere Ngarua (Bass, Guitar) &Wiremu Barriball (Guitar, Talkbox) – a host of guest musicians featured on the album including Tony Peebles (USA), Dean Fraser (JA), Stephen “Dubklaat” Maxwell (JA) , Johnny Chong Nee (NZ), Kirk “Kirkledove” Bennett (JA), Dallas Taukiri (NZ), Danny Donovan (JA), Conrad Scarlett (JA), Thabani Gapara (NZ/SA), Roy Kaiki (NZ), Rafael Postel (USA), Dwight Richard (USA), Lamont “Monty” Savory (JA), Garth “Duckie” Forester (JA), Te Whenua Te Wiata (NZ), Dean Fraser (JA), Sioeli Tameifuna (NZ), Beau Jeffries (NZ), Yotam Levy (NZ), Emily Campbell (NZ),RachelTwyman(NZ),MattSadgrove(NZ),AnuheaJenkins(Hawaii USA), Joel Latimer, Rio Panapa, Jason Arthur Welsh & Wayne “Unga” Thompson. ‘LEGACY’ was produced by KATCHAFIRE members and Johnny Chong Nee (NZ), Colin “Bulby York” (JA), Clive Hunt (JA), Brad Morgan (NZ), Stephen “Dubklaat” Maxwell (JA), Clarence Jey (USA) & Josef Benjamin (USA). ThealbumwasmixedandengineeredbyJames”Bonzai”Caruso(USA), Matt Sadgrove (NZ), Lance Kingi (NZ), Cameron Bartolini (USA), Hasani Snysh Willams (JA), Mike Ridder (NZ), Michael “Box Lunch” Howell (JA)
and Stephen “Dubklaat” Maxwell (JA); and was mastered by Rohan Dwyer (JA). The album artwork was created byKATCHAFIRE’s lead guitarist/vocalist Wiremu Barriball & singer Logan Bell, with the cover featuring an historic painting by revered Hawaiian artist Herb Kane which was part of his study of Polynesian voyaging canoes. KATCHAFIRE’s popularity and critical acclaim has seen them on lineups with just about every reggae artist worldwide from Marley brothers, Steel Pulse, UB40, The Wailers and many more. They’ve garnered respect from the likes of Don Letts (acclaimed documentary maker and Clash tour DJ), music journalist David Katz, and have been championed on the airwaves by radio legends such as Steve Barker (BBC), Charlie Gillet (BBC) and David Rodigan (Kiss FM and others) to name a few of a very long list.
Ever the prolific tourers, Katchafire undertook a 36 date tour of the USA & 23 date tour of Australia in 2018 with several tours of their homeland in between. After wrapping up their NZ Summer Tour, February 2019 sees the band returning to USA including the Arizona Roots Festival, One Love Cali Reggae Fest and shows with UB40 in Hawaii. KATCHAFIRE ‘LEGACY’ ALBUM OUT NOW Made with the support of NZ On Air. REVIEWS
“And as I sit here with my Bose headphones wrapped around my head there’s a party going off between my ears as this amazing band from “The Land Of The Great White Cloud” rocks steady and I wonder if the majestic islands nick-name refers to a weather occurrence or the fact they must have some realy irie Kaya down under. Somewhere Bob Marley is bobbing his natty dread head up and down dancing to “Legacy” stoked on the riddim’s he has inspired his spawn like Katchafire to bring forth to the world.” Eastern Surf Magazine, USA
“the musicianship and stunning playing on this album are so superb. Years of touring have pushed this band beyond a simple party crew elevating them to the highest level. Every song on this album is an instant classic. This band is and will continue to be revered taonga.” 13thFLOOR Magazine, New Zealand
“In LEGACY, Katchafire manages to combine a wealth of influences into something unexpectedly singular, making the album a wonderful discovery while challenging expectations within the songs themselves, which will impress longtime fans or first-time listeners.” Top Shelf Reggae, USA
“What I love about the fifth KATCHAFIRE album LEGACY is that whilst sticking heavily to their reggae roots they also seamlessly blend genres like RnB, Jazz, Pop-rock, Big-Band, disco, funk and Soul throughout only 12-tracks. This album showcases how incredibly versatile these guys are and I can only imagine what a live show would be like……”Amnplify Mag, Australia
“The track stays true to Katchafire’s tried and tested formula of classic roots reggae, R’n’B and funk, as the track delivers another all-out sensory assault for the masses and setting themselves up for an even bigger 2018 ahead with their much anticipated forthcoming studio album set to drop April, 2018.”TOPSHELFREGGAE (USA) – ‘Love Today’
“This track beautifully captures Katchafire’s signature sound and portrays a powerful love story. It has harmonies and head-bobbing rhythms that will take you beyond the world you know. Without saying, it also includes the signatures that make Katchafire the artist they are today, with a funky bass line, subtle and yet powerful horn section, and captivating vocals that only add to the soulful vibe of the track.” TOPSHELFREGGAE (USA) – ‘Addicted’
“The band has matured into one of the most cherished, original live reggae bands in the world.” THE BRAG (Australia)
“They were smiling and dancing on stage in such purity that you couldn’t help but move your body. Everywhere I looked people were dancing… it was impossible not to get pulled into the jams.” SHOWSIGOTO.COM (USA)
“Katchafire just keep coming up with goods. Their songwriting ability over the years has become second-to-none and time has allowed them to develop older songs to a point of perfection.”ARTSHUB (Australia)
“The crowd reaction indicated that almost every song played was a crowd favourite in itself.” FASTERLOUDER (Australia)
“The band’s energy was consistently through the roof, making it impossible not to get lost in the music. They had everyone in the room skanking to the riddims (or at the very least, bobbing their head to the beat).” TOPSHELFREGGAE (USA) WEBSITE – http://www.Katchafire.co.nz FACEBOOK– https://www.facebook.com/KatchafireBand INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/KatchafireOfficial SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/artist/786hGmAEXHUeCdKPAj3JIa YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/user/katchafireofficial TWITTER – http://www.twitter.com/Katchafire
KATCHAFIRE ‘100’ (released 7 Oct 2018) SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/track/2G7DqWyQtcXWnrry2ZIZVv YOUTUBE – https://youtu.be/iC7geSGHODw KATCHAFIRE ‘LOVE TODAY’ (released 9 Feb 2018) NEW ZEALAND (Universal) – https://apple.co/2nNy5WP WORLDWIDE excl.NZ (Zojak) – https://apple.co/2E3vK49 SPOTIFY – http://open.spotify.com/track/3ZyoLrRlFhrV5LsvEensTa YOUTUBE – https://youtu.be/rXTHuMCwHd8
KATCHAFIRE ‘WAY BEYOND’ (released Dec 2017) NEWZEALAND(Universal)-https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/way-bey ond-single/1321713514?app=itunes WORLDWIDE excl.NZ (Zojak) – https://itunes.apple.com/album/way-beyond-single/1319936369 SPOTIFY – http://open.spotify.com/track/7xwMGB9VPaK5OreYbMSqUL YOUTUBE – https://youtu.be/IjKLocagFPw KATCHAFIRE ‘ADDICTED’ (released Sept 2017) https://itunes.apple.com/album/way-beyond-single/1319936369 SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/album/3VG16lM4BxVWwKKN8PpQEt YOUTUBE – https://youtu.be/UJya3RnyyL0 MEDIA EPK – http://www.onepagelink.com/KatchafireLegacy
DISCOGRAPHY “Legacy” (2018 – Zojak Worldwide/Universal NZ) “Best So Far” Compilation (2013 – VP/Greensleeves) “On The Road Again” (2010 – EMI/Lion House Records) “Say What You’re Thinking” (2007 – EMI) “Slow Burning” (2005 – Mai/Shock) “Revival” (2003 – Shock/BMG) AWARDS Best Roots Artist, Best Maori Artist – New Zealand Music Awards (Nominee – 2018) Group Of The Year – Island Music Awards, Hawaii (Nominee – 2018) Best International Band – British Reggae Music Awards (Nominee – 2012) Highest Selling Single – New Zealand Music Awards (Winner – 2003) MAJOR EVENTS Arizona Roots Music & Arts Festival, Chandler AZ Austin Reggae Festival, Texas US Byron Bay Bluesfest, Australia California Roots Music & Arts Festival, Monteray US Caloundra Music Festival, Australia
Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival, Australia Glastonbury Festival, UK Island Reggae Festival, San Jose US Island Vibe Festival, San Diego US Island Vibe Festival, Australia Jackson Hole Mountain Festival, Wyoming US Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival, Nevada US MayJah RayJah Music Festival, Hawaii US No Logo Festival, France One Love Cali Reggae Fest, Long Beach US One Love Festival, New Zealand Orange County Fair, US Ostroda Reggae Festival, Poland Pleasure Garden, Australia Pot Of Gold Festival, Arizona US Reggae On The Mountain, Topanga Canyon US Reggae Sun Ska Festival, France Shaka Fest, Maui Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Santa Cruz US Summerjam Festival, Germany Sun-Dried Vibes Festival, Denver US Trench Fest, Guam Victoria Ska Festival, Canada West Beach Music & Arts Festival, Santa Barbara US
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