- Digital
Kotoa
Love and Light
Wah Wah 45s
- Cat No: WAHDIG224
- Release: 2026-06-05
- updated:
Kotoa are a 5 piece band from Loughborough Junction, South East London, made up of drummer Laurie Campling, bassist Frank Black, keyboard player Sam Hillier, guitarist and vocalist Memphis Koloi & saxophonist and vocalist Maia Avery.
Having signed to Wah Wah 45s last year, Kotoa bring a refreshing sound, blending political rhetoric, soulful melodies & heavy bass lines. Deeply influenced by dub, triphop & the recent rise of African inspired jazz, Kotoa are a rising force in Brixton’s historic music scene.
Following on from the success of their acclaimed debut EP, entitled Earthwise, and their popular cover version of Fela Kuti’s Zombie, which received support from Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6 Music and Worldwide FM, this classy young outfit are excited to present their brand new single,Love and Light, the first to be taken from their forthcoming Out of the Dark EP, due for release in August, and once again produced by revered musician and engineer Benedic Lamdin (Nostalgia 77).
Love and Light opens with Sam Hillier’s warm and welcoming piano combining perfectly with Memphis Koloi’s enticing guitar, before Laurie Campling’s Afrobeat flavoured drums and Frank Black’s balmy bass make way for Maia Avery’s willing vocals and tender sax, sending powerful yet tender messages that are much needed in the modern world, as the vocalist herself explains:
“It’s a tune about reconnection, It’s a celebration of being around someone that makes you feel loved and seen. We want people to listen to it and feel gratitude for the people, places or memories that make them feel like this, with the groove getting people to dance and celebrate this feeling.”
Kotoa will be launchingLove and Lightwith a full live show at The Fox And Firkin, London on June 5th, with a string of festival dates to follow during the summer, including opening the main stage at We Out Here Festival in August.
Kotoa Dates
22/05 Shindig Festival, UK
05/06 Fox & Firkin, UK
03/07 Secret Event, UK
18/07 Spirit Of Eden Festival, UK
25/07 Cornish Bank, UK
02/08 Kendal Calling, UK
15/08 Boom Town Festival, UK
20/08 We Out Here Festival, UK
05/09 LeyLines Festival, UK
For more information: dom@wahwah45s.com
Having signed to Wah Wah 45s last year, Kotoa bring a refreshing sound, blending political rhetoric, soulful melodies & heavy bass lines. Deeply influenced by dub, triphop & the recent rise of African inspired jazz, Kotoa are a rising force in Brixton’s historic music scene.
Following on from the success of their acclaimed debut EP, entitled Earthwise, and their popular cover version of Fela Kuti’s Zombie, which received support from Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6 Music and Worldwide FM, this classy young outfit are excited to present their brand new single,Love and Light, the first to be taken from their forthcoming Out of the Dark EP, due for release in August, and once again produced by revered musician and engineer Benedic Lamdin (Nostalgia 77).
Love and Light opens with Sam Hillier’s warm and welcoming piano combining perfectly with Memphis Koloi’s enticing guitar, before Laurie Campling’s Afrobeat flavoured drums and Frank Black’s balmy bass make way for Maia Avery’s willing vocals and tender sax, sending powerful yet tender messages that are much needed in the modern world, as the vocalist herself explains:
“It’s a tune about reconnection, It’s a celebration of being around someone that makes you feel loved and seen. We want people to listen to it and feel gratitude for the people, places or memories that make them feel like this, with the groove getting people to dance and celebrate this feeling.”
Kotoa will be launchingLove and Lightwith a full live show at The Fox And Firkin, London on June 5th, with a string of festival dates to follow during the summer, including opening the main stage at We Out Here Festival in August.
Kotoa Dates
22/05 Shindig Festival, UK
05/06 Fox & Firkin, UK
03/07 Secret Event, UK
18/07 Spirit Of Eden Festival, UK
25/07 Cornish Bank, UK
02/08 Kendal Calling, UK
15/08 Boom Town Festival, UK
20/08 We Out Here Festival, UK
05/09 LeyLines Festival, UK
For more information: dom@wahwah45s.com
