Karmacoda
Encyclopedia
Karmacoda is a US trip hop
, downtempo
and electronica band based in San Francisco, CA
. Karmacoda features lead vocalist
Heather Pierce, vocalist/guitarist
B., DJ/Turntablist Rafael Acevedo and bassist
Eric Matsuno.
trip-hop collective Massive Attack
, a nod to their impromptu formation (karma
) and a description of their loop-based musical style (coda
)), began as a studio project effort between founding members B. and Heather Pierce when they met in 2000 and realized their mutual interest in trip hop
and drum and bass
. A few months earlier B. had played friend and drummer Bruce Fulford new material he had written in an attempt to explore new electronic music
territory. While working on the new instrumental tracks both B. and Bruce agreed that adding vocals could complete the sound they were searching for.
A few weeks later in August 2001 the trio met at B's studio. Their first meeting and studio work resulted in the song, Frail and what would become many evenings spent writing and recording Karmacoda's debut album, Reco mended, meshing elements of trip hop
, electronica
and rock
with melodic vocal lines.
The release of Reco mended garnered inquiries as to when the new group would begin performing live. Because the band began primarily as a studio project, the challenges and limitations of performing live were not of capital concern during the writing and recording of the debut. But following Bruce's move to Los Angeles, Heather and B. began work on creating a live show. B. called upon friend and San Francisco for bass duties and Rafael Acevedo as DJ.
Karmacoda's second disc Evidence, featured more extensively the vocals of Heather and B.
In early 2004, Karmacoda's "Swan" won in The 3rd Annual Independent Music Awards
for Best Film/TV Song. Also in 2004, the band released Altered Evidence: Late Night Remixes.
In 2005, original bassist Brian Templeton relocated to New York and was replaced by Bay Area bassist Eric Matsuno.
In 2004, Karmacoda began work on a third album of original material Illuminate, which was released in March 2007. The band recorded and released a "live in studio EP" in 2009 titled "Ultraviolet Live" which featured an all acoustic version of their song Chapel. Follow 3 years of extensive writing and recording Karmacoda completed and will be releasing the new album Eternal on August 2, 2011 which will feature 12 new songs. The first single to be released from 'Eternal' is the song Love Will Turn Your Head Around (released April 8, 2011) which featured guest vocals by Beth Hirsch (Air - Moon Safari) and Anji Bee (Lovespirals, The Chillcast).
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
, downtempo
Downtempo
Downtempo is a laid-back electronic music style similar to ambient music, but usually with a beat or groove unlike the beatless forms of Ambient music. The beat is sometimes made from loops that have a hypnotic feeling...
and electronica band based in San Francisco, CA
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Karmacoda features lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
Heather Pierce, vocalist/guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
B., DJ/Turntablist Rafael Acevedo and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Eric Matsuno.
History
Karmacoda (whose name is an homage to Karmacoma, a song by BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
trip-hop collective Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
, a nod to their impromptu formation (karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
) and a description of their loop-based musical style (coda
Coda (music)
Coda is a term used in music in a number of different senses, primarily to designate a passage that brings a piece to an end. Technically, it is an expanded cadence...
)), began as a studio project effort between founding members B. and Heather Pierce when they met in 2000 and realized their mutual interest in trip hop
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
and drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
. A few months earlier B. had played friend and drummer Bruce Fulford new material he had written in an attempt to explore new electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
territory. While working on the new instrumental tracks both B. and Bruce agreed that adding vocals could complete the sound they were searching for.
A few weeks later in August 2001 the trio met at B's studio. Their first meeting and studio work resulted in the song, Frail and what would become many evenings spent writing and recording Karmacoda's debut album, Reco mended, meshing elements of trip hop
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
, electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
with melodic vocal lines.
The release of Reco mended garnered inquiries as to when the new group would begin performing live. Because the band began primarily as a studio project, the challenges and limitations of performing live were not of capital concern during the writing and recording of the debut. But following Bruce's move to Los Angeles, Heather and B. began work on creating a live show. B. called upon friend and San Francisco for bass duties and Rafael Acevedo as DJ.
Karmacoda's second disc Evidence, featured more extensively the vocals of Heather and B.
In early 2004, Karmacoda's "Swan" won in The 3rd Annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
for Best Film/TV Song. Also in 2004, the band released Altered Evidence: Late Night Remixes.
In 2005, original bassist Brian Templeton relocated to New York and was replaced by Bay Area bassist Eric Matsuno.
In 2004, Karmacoda began work on a third album of original material Illuminate, which was released in March 2007. The band recorded and released a "live in studio EP" in 2009 titled "Ultraviolet Live" which featured an all acoustic version of their song Chapel. Follow 3 years of extensive writing and recording Karmacoda completed and will be releasing the new album Eternal on August 2, 2011 which will feature 12 new songs. The first single to be released from 'Eternal' is the song Love Will Turn Your Head Around (released April 8, 2011) which featured guest vocals by Beth Hirsch (Air - Moon Safari) and Anji Bee (Lovespirals, The Chillcast).
Discography
- Reco mended (2001)
- Evidence (2003)
- Altered Evidence: Late Night Remixes (2004)
- Illuminate (2007)
- Lux Life: Illuminated Remixes (2008)
- Ultraviolet Live (2009)
- Eternal (2011)
Filmography
- Neverland (2003)
- Paris (2003)
- The Last Run (2004)
- Hellbent (2004)
- Voyeur (original soundtrack) (2006)