The Kut

The Kut is a London-based alternative rock project, assembled by frontwoman and self-taught multi-instrumentalist Princess Maha.[1] They have received extensive radio and music press coverage including from Planet Rock,[1] BBC Introducing,[2] Kerrang!,[3] Metal Hammer, Big Cheese, Q Magazine and Classic Rock Magazine The debut album Valley of Thorns reached No. 7 in the UK Rock Albums Chart and No. 18 in the UK Independent Albums Chart[4] and re-entered with the Digital and Vinyl release week ending 9 Nov 2018.

Starting as a vocalist, pianist and later drummer, bass player and guitarist, The Kut sound is typified by Maha's song arrangements, contrasting smooth and raw vocals, choppy riffs and the dynamic guitar solos that secured her a full endorsement deal with Marshall Amplification. Influenced by the 1990s tones of Deftones, L7, Nirvana, The Distillers, Hole, Lunachicks, Incubus, Placebo as well as solo projects like Prince and Nine Inch Nails, The Kut is currently active on the UK and European grunge rock music scene, with live performances delivered by an all female cast of highly accomplished musicians. Usually performing as an all female trio, the live set up consists of Maha on vocals / guitar, bass / vocals and drums.

Career

The debut EP Poisonest was released in 2005, although later deleted.[5] In 2009, The Kut released two singles through Maha's independent label [Criminal Records UK] and Universal Records. This was followed by label interest from Warner Bros. Records but the experience led to a waiting period and eventual release hiatus. In this time however, The Kut continued to perform live at UK underground shows as well as high-profile events including London 2012 Olympics and London 2012 Paralympics as selected by the Teenage Rampage Foundation. At the end of 2013, The Kut was voted in to the winning spots of the MTV Brand New Unsigned Poll for 2014. The Kut soon released the first official record in approximately three years. The Make Up EP, featured the two previous singles and three new tracks produced by James LeRock Loughrey, known for his work with Skindred, White Zombine, Def Leppard, Bjork and My Vitriol. Lead single "No Trace" was featured by Kerrang! Radio, BBC Introducing with the music video featured by Scuzz in the 'Most Wanted Rock Charts' reaching No. 4. Rock Paper Scissors was the 2015 follow up EP, featuring four new tracks and a grittier heavier sound. Both EPs were released by Maha's independent record label Criminal Records UK and have since sold out. The records were supported heavily by the rock press and radio, including Planet Rock,[1] BBC Introducing,[2] Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Big Cheese, Q Magazine and Classic Rock Magazine. A number of music videos gained heavy rotation on Scuzz TV, with additional playlist by AXS TV and MTV-U USA. The videos for singles "I Don't Need Therapy" and "Bad Man" were premièred by Kerrang!. In 2015, The Kut played the 'Dog's Bed Stage' at Download Festival 2015 and were voted as one of the best two acts appearing on that stage.[6] 2015 also saw them open the main stages of Glastonbudget and Strummercamp Festival, alongside a stream of tour dates. In 2016 the band have performed a number of UK shows, including Glastonbudget, Camden Rocks Festival and Rebellion Festival alongside 37 summer UK tour dates. At the end of 2016, The Kut also performed their first international shows in Germany with four concerts during December, and in January were featured in Kerrang! Magazine's Breakthrough Acts of 2017 List. 2017 touring activity includes a tour of six countries in April 2017. The Spring Tour 2017 saw the live outfit travel to and perform in Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and back for shows on UK home soil.

The Kut released The Kut EP on 500 limited edition picture disc vinyls for Record Store Day on 22 April 2017 through Criminal Records UK and Cargo Records. The record was featured at number 4 in Kerrang![3] Magazines Top 10 Record Store Day Releases, alongside Mallory Knox, Babymetal, Bullet For My Valentine, Pearl Jam, Ginger Wildheart, Gerard Way, Against Me and more. Debut album "Valley of Thorns", released by Criminal Records, reached Number 7 in the UK Rock Album Charts, and Number 18 in the UK Independent Album Charts.

In November 2020 The Kut announced a charity Christmas single 'Waiting for Christmas' would be released in aid of Red Cross. The single, although pre-empted to be an underdog later made the MTV USA playlist, was selected by Music Choice USA and aired on the Christmas Special of LATV. The single simultaneously became No. 3 in the [NACC] Most Accessed 'Top Singles' heat seeker chart. The single would later be highlighted by the Official Charts Company website as an Official Contender for Christmas Number 1,[7] finally placing at Number 10 in the UK Top 100 Physical Sales Chart[8] and at Number 65 in the Top 100 Sales Chart, for the week 25–31 December 2020.[9]

Members

Princess Maha is the only consistent recording and touring member of The Kut. Having studied psychosis-related illness at University of Roehampton alongside The Kut, she earned a PhD in Positive Schizotypy related research in January 2019. Her first publication was in the Journal of Personality and Individual Differences and discussed new measures for positive schizotypy.

Long term touring drummers have included Fidan Hassan (2009-2013) and Diana Bartmann (2015-date). Long term touring bass players; Elvira Zaera (pre 2009) and Alison Wood (2009-2017), Stella Vie (2017-2019) and a number of additional female session bassists: Dany Jones, Hannah Cooper, Jennifer Sanin. There have also been one off bass performances by Joy Guest, Sid Rose, Eli Karali (bass / rhythm guitar) and honorary female, Kevin O'Shea. Pre-2009 drummers have included Nuria Glendal, Jade Wilson, Christina Borgi, Amil Smith and session drummers, Violet Stow, Amanda Dal, Lauren O'Donnell and Robert O'Shea (2013-2015). In 2011, The Kut performed an 'Unplugged Tour' featuring Stacey Douglas on acoustic guitar, and Sophie Haynes on cello. On this set of UK dates Maha often switched between playing guitar and drums. 2020 Christmas single 'Waiting For Christmas' featured string players Kate Shortt (cello) and Celia Pedregal (violin).

References
  1. "Ones To Watch: The Kut". Planetradio.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  2. "BBC Radio Lancashire - BBC Music Introducing in Lancashire, BBC Introducing in Lancashire - The Kut". BBC. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  3. "PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines". Pressreader.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. "The Kut—Poisonest". Piccadilly Records. 21 March 2005. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  6. "#DogsBedStage: The Winners". Download Festival. 2015. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  7. "Christmas Number 1 2020: The contenders revealed". Official Charts. 18 December 2020.
  8. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-singles-chart/20201225/1/
  9. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20201225/7509/
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