Huddersfield band Kava Kava sign US record deal

May 25 2009 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THEY say it’s so hard to crack the US market.

But America is rapidly becoming home for Huddersfield funk dance group Kava Kava – well, for their music at least.

The six-piece group have landed a deal with new US record label Midnight Swimming.

The New York-based independent label is a subsidiary of industry veterans Pai Media.

It is gearing up to release Kava Kava’s forthcoming new album entitled ‘Forwards,’ this summer.

Singer Pat Fulgoni said: “Some of our songs have been available on import out there via the Chocolate Fireguard label, but this will be the first time we will experience an official US release. It’s taken a while.

“They first saw us play in the US two years back. It’s all looking up really and the label’s currently working on a video for our track Clarity.”

On top of all this, Kava Kava have landed a deal where three of their songs will be featured in new Xbox snowboarding game Stoked.

Kava Kava’s music has already been featured in hit US TV shows like Weeds, John From Cincinnati and Courtney Cox series Dirt, and it is hoped that the signing with Midnight Swimming can continue to help spread the distinctive Kava Kava vibe further.

The Huddersfield band are no strangers to playing on foreign shores.

Over the past few years, they have played at festivals everywhere from Glastonbury to America and China.

They will be back at Glastonbury this year and perform at and Sazava festival in the Czech Republic.

As well as Kava Kava duties, Pat has recently been off singing in drum n bass circles for labels like Hospital Records and has been busy organising the first ever Yorkshire Showcase at this year’s SXSW Festival in Texas.

Closer to home though, Kava Kava will be headlining this year’s Noisebox Festival at the Lawrence Batley Theatre on Saturday.

It is a showcase for the best up and coming bands in the north.

Also performing will be Huddersfield group Project Sunset, Manchester pop punk outfit Bleachbaby, Kirklees College three-piece The Bluelights and Bradford rockers Disco Machine Gun.

Doors open from 7pm until late. Tickets cost £5 in advance or £6 on the door.

For tickets, contact the LBT Box Office on 01484 430528 or go online at www.lawrencebatleytheatre.co.uk

You can preview one of Kava Kava’s tracks featured in the Stoked video game by checking out this link at http://www.gettingstoked.com

For more information on Kava Kava and their gigs and releases, visit www.myspace.com/kavakavamusic