Interview: Getting to Know Kuro (Written)

Impressible Scottish alt-metallers Kuro unleash a vicious new sound: filthy riffs, hammering beats, and an electrifying electronic edge that hits as hard as it hooks. Their engrossing new EP, Circling The Drain, lands Friday 3rd October, preceded by the stomping new single and video, No Exit, out now. In this interview, we get to know them a little better.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

Hey! Thank you for having us. We’re KURO, a Glasgow-originating alt-metal band – if you love filthy riffs mixed with pounding beats then we think you’re going to absolutely love us. We started out as an electronic-alternative two piece in the midst of lockdown but quickly evolved to a full metal outfit to bring a more antagonising sound which leads us to where we are today!

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

K: Filthy riffs, pounding beats wrapped up with a fierce Nu-metal ribbon. If you come see us live you’ll leave feeling HYPED.

Robbie: Modern metal meets nu metal blended with a dirty electronic edge. Sounds like digital violence.

Ruffy: I say it’s like a mash up of nu metal/ with some electronic elements.

J.B: What the other guys tell me to play! I dunno we have been called Alt so I’ll go with that. Each member has different influences and we bring it all together and what comes out is ‘our sound’.

3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?

So much with so little time! We just dropped our newest most energetic single yet, No Exit (with a killer music video by Loki Films) which is the precursor to our upcoming EP Circling The Drain (October 3rd), not to mention we have an upcoming headliner tour across the UK (Glasgow 13/09, Manchester 02/10, Sheffield 03/10, London 04/10, Nottingham 05/10) and a few other shows we can’t quite mention yet before we take to Helsinki in November for Helsinki Industrial Festival. We have much to look forward to and we’re only just powering up.

4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?

The shows we have coming up, it’s what we live for as musicians- the ability to be in a room full of screaming people and to connect and perform.

5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.

It’s harder than ever to be a musician in this day and age with an overwhelming amount of expectations but for us, it feels like we’ve really had to work hard to break out of the “niche” many seem to have put us in. We have a unique sound which is something we’ve had to prove time and again to be taken seriously but when people have got us and come around to us it’s been the most rewarding feeling and we see that every show we play.

6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?

J.B: I think it’s good for everyone’s mental health to have a creative outlet in any form as it challenges ones self to keep up a discipline and continue to better your talent – making music is fun but it’s not how you imagine – these days with technology things are a lot more processed which is kinda sad as that takes the spontaneity out of off hearing a riff in the studio and then jamming until you have a new song but making music is fun and I like to see the song progress from an initial idea to becoming a fully fledged track we play live that’s something that makes us proud.

Ruffy: It’s been a fantastic outlet, a great way to forget about your worries and just focus on the music.

Robbie: The music I listen to on a day to day basis closely reflects what I’m going through on a day to day basis. When I’m on stage I channel whatever is going on in my life good and bad. I get to let it all out for better or for worse. Music is an expression and I let it talk for me because I’ve never been great with words.

K: As cheesy as it sounds, it’s a lifeline and it always has been since being a misunderstood weird kid but as for creating, I think I speak for everyone in the band when I say it’s the best drug in the world to be up on stage channelling it all.

7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?

It’s maybe not so much the making music part as it is everything around it. It feels like having good music alone isn’t enough to succeed in this day and age and that’s definitely a daunting thought for many artists out there and we feel it too. There’s so many jobs surrounding the music that can really ruin the magic for many- never have artists had to be their own label, producer, social media manager, booker and communications all whilst trying to create music.

To overcome it there maybe isn’t a right or wrong way but one thing for sure is that you need dedication.

8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?

This is the million dollar question. It’s hell. Never has it been easier to reach like minded fans and listeners through social media, but never has it been harder to be seen or heard. Fighting an algorithm is the most damning feeling and knowing you have to play the rules just to remind your followers you exist is perhaps the hardest part of doing all of this.

9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?

By being true to ourselves in what we do, and reminding ourselves that social media isn’t indicative of what we’re worth.

10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?

First and foremost, listen to our music, find us on the streaming services, keep our songs spinning.
Follow us on social media (@kuromusicofficial), keep liking our posts and even commenting just to show us some support.

The above is free-if people want to go a little further then come see us at a show, take a picture with us, say hi, buy a T-shirt. Everything counts and everything matters.

11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?

Ruffy: Gym, photography, movies, being outdoors.

JB: I enjoy cooking and going out treks with my dog – Just me and him, no phone/no tech nothing! It’s amazing to reset yourself and have clarity while taking in the beautiful nature.

Robbie: I love a good dive bar. I’ve been replaying a bunch of old video games from when I was younger too recently. Currently playing through Majora’s Mask, as well as Clair Obscur on the newer side of things. Can’t beat a long ol’ walk on a nice day either.

K: I love creating with my brand (KVROKVLT) but when I want to switch off it’s either socialising, exploring or playing video games or doing something nerdy like playing Dungeons and Dragons.

12. Where can people find you?

Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram