INTERVIEW WITH KARMA TO BURN
«This band has never labelled itself stoner rock, we’re cool with the label, but we’re just going to keep on being KARMA TO BURN, no matter what people call it, like we have been since the 90’s when we were labelled Hard Rock»
Since their highly acclaimed 1997 debut album, Karma To Burn’s riff-driven, heavily grooving instrumental songs have reflected almost the entire history of international rock music.Their latest album which will be release next 26th Febraury is called Mountain Czar and is intended as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the band’s stylistic direction because in the early days. Would like to read a bit more about this new EP? Last week,We had the chance to talk to them about this new album and many other things…
You will be releasing soon Mountain czar.What can you tell us about it?
Yeah, it comes out February 26th. Its a 5 song EP that was recorded in Switzerland during our last tour. It’s the first record with our new lineup Will Mecum Guitar, Eric Clutter Bass, Evan Devine Drums.
How was the vibe in the studio? Any funny anecdotes you would like to share with us?
The vibe was good, sort of hectic. The schedule was tight, we were traveling and playing shows on the weekends, then writing during the week. When we weren’t touring we were all staying at this nice apartment that was totally empty. We had a few chairs, a table, a guitar, a bike, and a few baseball gloves. All we needed.
Why are you releasing en EP instead of LP?
It just made sense for the time we had, and we haven’t released an official EP like this, the past ones were compilations. This one was directly from the source and planned out.
How different is Mountain czar from Arch Stanton?
Well, for starters its the first time in a long time that all three band members have been a part of the entire writing process, start to finish. I think it sounds more deliberate than our last few releases.
Arch Stanton has an epilogue spippets from the classic western movie «The good, the bad and the ugly» will we hear some other dialogues from other classics Western movies in your latest EP?
Yeah, we use another sample from the same film actually. That audio from that film is a work of art in itself.
What inspired K2B to write music?
Everything. Beer mostly.
Why all your songs are named after numbers? Is it easy to remember?
The numbers are simply the chronological order in which the songs have been written. We all think its easier to remember.
On very special occasions you had very special guests singing for you such as John Garcia. ..Are you considering doing another featuring soon? Who would be your dream performer?
Mountain Czar features one song that is a cover of Tom Pettys «Running Down a Dream» featuring our friend Steffi from the band Noon (IT) and our friend Manuel form the band Sons of Morpheus (CH). Both Steffi and Manuel are some of the most talented people we’ve met on tour, so we basically got to work with our ideal performers.
In March you will be touring presenting your new EP in Europe and for who haven’t seen you live before….How would you describe a Karma to Burn gig?
Beer fueled destruction…on wheels…smoking a cigarette.
What would you say is the best and the worst thing about touring?
Best New people, new places; same people, same places. Worst Mexican food in Germany
I heard a couple of musicians saying that stoner rock is just a trend and it will be «dead» soon…What are your thoughts about it?
Those guys sound like assholes. We’re glad to hear that more people are making more instrument driven music that is not made on a computer or designed to be sold on the radio. Who cares what its called.This band has never labeled itself stoner rock, we’re cool with the label, but we’re just going to keep on being KARMA TO BURN, no matter what people call it, like we have been since the 90’s when we were labelled Hard Rock.
What is next for K2B?
A few shows in America, then 42 shows in Europe during March April, 32 shows in the US for May, June, then back to Europe for festival season in June July. I think we have a festival in Spain booked for June, can’t announce it yet though.
Any kind words for all your Spanish fans and Metalcry readers?
Thanks for reading, we have three shows in Spain on this upcoming tour, so we hope to some of you there. Cheers!
