New visuals from British Columbia artist Kuri. Entitled ’The Great Orator’ the visuals capture the feelings of intensity and defiance, highlighting a sense of danger, adventure and newfound identity, all while counteracting it with the innocence of children.
Kuri has garnered acclaim from the likes of Indie Shuffle, Ones to Watch, Earmilk, Culture Collide and more. He is set for a North American tour this spring, followed by a Japanese tour in the summer.
Creativity relies on vision in a figurative and literal sense.
Though he may be a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, Kuri chiefly describes himself as “an observer.” His keen insight and sonic curiosity thread together an intriguing framework of carefully constructed and composed alternative on 2019’s debut album No Village [Nevado Music]. The foundation remains rooted in organic performances, classically infused orchestration, jazzy freeform spirit, cinematic ambition, and ultimately inspired observation. “I like to watch, analyze, and create systems in my brain,” he affirms. “As a solo artist, I enjoy the freedom to express exactly what I want by drawing on what I see.”
Born and raised Scott Currie in the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia, he found himself constantly looking outward. The small Mennonite community he grew up in incited “a sense of questioning everything to figure out why we do what we do.” As the youngest of four brothers, mom bought him a drum set to jam with his guitarist siblings. Soon, he transitioned from behind-the-kit to an old piano in the house by the age of twelve.
Scott began writing under the name Kuri in 2017. Galvanized by influences ranging from Robert Glasper and Radiohead to Africa’s Tinariwen and composer John Cage, he arranged an expansive sonic palette informing his signature sound. It’s comprised of an ever-growing arsenal of instruments, including piano, drums, congas, strings, horns, bass, guitar, and more. “Every instrument has its own language,” he goes on. “I try to hone the language of each one. It helps articulate the overall goal.” After entering the CBC Searchlight competition, his songs caught the attention of Nevado Music, and Kuri signed to the label during 2018. Now, No Village strains emotionality through his analytical approach.
“…dazzling as it is bewildering… a lyrically ingenious, musically mystifying cinematic folk masterpiece.” Writes Atwood Magazine on the first single from No Village, titled Sort Sol in a piece titled titled “THE BREATHTAKING GENIUS OF KURI’S AVANT-FOLK MASTERPIECE”.