Four-piece band Kaunta reimagine the world of indie rock, bringing a blend of high-intensity pop and uniquely styled riffs to Sydney’s stages
What started as some fun in a high school music class at Ku-ring-gai High School, has now been born into the multi-genre band Kaunta. North Shore based boys Checo Torrisi (drummer), Sam Bjorlo (bass/vocals) and Noah Lees (guitar/vocals), all reunited after high school at Macquarie University, where they decided to take their music one step further. Shortly after, Checo introduced his friend Ethan Aerlic (guitar) to the group of boys and played a one-off rehearsal all together. So Kaunta was born.
Since their formation, Kaunta has played at multiple venues such as 7th Day Brewery in Brookvale, Soda Factory in Surry Hills, and Tates Hotel in Windsor. Kaunta’s music can be described as cheeky, indie rock grooves that have you dancing to their tune and laughing along with their lyrics. “We imagine ourselves as the consumers,” says Sam. “You have to enjoy the music you make, and audiences want what you like.” Every song is different, and that’s where the beauty and creativity of their music lies. High-pitched guitar riffs intertwine with head-banging drumbeats, bringing listeners a fresh fusion of rock that is entirely unique to the band.
Like any student, life can be a bit of a juggle. The 21-year-olds are balancing their lives on stage with their own university courses, as well as their regular work. Although it may seem like a lot, Kaunta describes it as a ‘good balance,’ moving from work and studying, to the fun of rehearsing and writing music. In fact, their personal experience has managed to make its way into the creation of their music, with songs such as HECS reflecting their experience with university debt. “I think this was the safest way to communicate frustration,” says Checo. “All of us are very big talkers, and it’s very cool to get some things that we talk about amongst the band in a song.”
The band described their headline at Buddy’s Bar in Newtown as a major milestone in April last year, reaching a maximum-capacity audience, with a ‘sold-out’ poster that was kept on the wall of the venue for others to see. “Hearing our own songs being sung back to us (by the audience) felt outrageous,” says Sam.
Vic on the Park in Marrickville was also a fundamental step in their career, playing for a crowd of 250 people.
As for the quirky name… “I opened my dictionary in my living room, I flicked the pages, and I stopped on the phonetic spelling for ‘counter.’ We were like, ‘Yeah, screw it! Let’s keep it!” laughs Checo.
With their local venue being the Greengate Hotel in Killara, the boys describe the support from North Shore venues for local musicians as a ‘low five.’ “We want to bring live music back to the North Shore,” says Checo. “People don’t like travelling that much, and if they want to come out and have a fun night, they want to go somewhere local, and if the local area isn’t supporting you, you can’t give them entertainment back,” adds Sam.
“Musicians care so much about what they’re doing and they’re really just trying to have fun. I think once you actually step out of your comfort zone and go see a show, even if you don’t know the band, you’re going to enjoy it a lot.”
Kaunta are playing their next support set at The Lansdowne on 4 July. See updates on Instagram: @kauntaband