Kawala - News

Kawala release new single & announce tour dates

KAWALA release their first single, ‘Play It Right’ with new label, Virgin EMI out now!

Stunning vocal harmonies combine with upbeat rhythmic guitar to create a track that’s infused with joyful energy and sunny optimism.

Speaking about the song KAWALA explain, ”When writing ‘Play it Right’ we thought, what better topic for a song than to discuss the difficulties of writing a song itself. It’s kind of set from the perspective of an internal voice guiding you through the many obstacles faced when trying to write a screamer.” 

Formed in North London by then teenagers Jim Higson and Daniel McCarthy, the band are a truly unique proposition within the UK music scene. Drawing inspiration from the likes of John Martyn Bombay Bicycle Club, The Staves, Bon Iver and Half Moon Run, the pair started writing songs together and quickly developed a close musical partnership.

As the songs developed they eventually put together a full band with friends Dan Lee on electric guitar, Reeve Coulson on bass and Ben Batten on drums.

Before their recent signing to Virgin EMI, KAWALA released two EPs via Mahogany, D.I.L.Y.D and Counting The Miles. These have led the band to making appearances on all the top playlists and the EPs have a combined 18 million streams on Spotify alone

Live the band have already gone some distance. In May they played a sold out 5-date headline tour of the UK, culminating in a show at London’s Tufnell Park Dome and were also one of the first 50 acts announced at this year’s Great Escape festival in Brighton. In October 2019 they’re embarking on a 13-date headline tour and will play their biggest London show to date at the Islington Assembly Hall. Ahead of that, they play a number of festival slots with sets at Barn on The Farm, Standon Calling, Leopolloza and Wilderness. They’ll also be making their debut appearance at Reading/Leeds Festival, with the band opening the main stage on Friday morning!