BLACK MARKET KARMA
Interview
Interview
Black Market Karma are a rock & roll band based in London, England and are influenced by the likes of The Velvet Underground, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Jesus & Mary Chain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. So it only felt right that we did an exclusive interview and asked the band about their music, inspiration and what’s next for the psychedelic rockers.
R-in-C: First of all I love the name guys, can you describe Black Market Karma in 3 words?
Black Market Karma: Music we play.
R-in-C: What’s the story behind BMK, how did you start the band?
Black Market Karma: A few years back me (Stan) and Mike met in our school days and started jamming. We had a lot in common musically and soon enough we had some tunes but no band. We formed a group with other kids at the time and went through our musical teething process. We gigged as much as we could, eventually finding our sound. Different members have come and gone over the years but we have a solid line-up now and it seems to be sticking.
R-in-C: Who in the realms of style/sound has/or has had the biggest influence on you?
Black Market Karma: We’ve been influenced by a lot of music over the years and we’re always finding new inspiration. There are too many to say!
R-in-C: What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
Black Market Karma: Don’t get caught.
R-in-C: Which is the thing you guys are most proud of?
Black Market Karma: We’re feeling pretty happy with our record right now but nobody’s heard it yet, so we’ll see how it goes down.
R-in-C: BMK, for me is one of the most exciting bands around (inline with my unhealthy obsession with BJM and Black
R-in-C: First of all I love the name guys, can you describe Black Market Karma in 3 words?
Black Market Karma: Music we play.
R-in-C: What’s the story behind BMK, how did you start the band?
Black Market Karma: A few years back me (Stan) and Mike met in our school days and started jamming. We had a lot in common musically and soon enough we had some tunes but no band. We formed a group with other kids at the time and went through our musical teething process. We gigged as much as we could, eventually finding our sound. Different members have come and gone over the years but we have a solid line-up now and it seems to be sticking.
R-in-C: Who in the realms of style/sound has/or has had the biggest influence on you?
Black Market Karma: We’ve been influenced by a lot of music over the years and we’re always finding new inspiration. There are too many to say!
R-in-C: What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
Black Market Karma: Don’t get caught.
R-in-C: Which is the thing you guys are most proud of?
Black Market Karma: We’re feeling pretty happy with our record right now but nobody’s heard it yet, so we’ll see how it goes down.
R-in-C: BMK, for me is one of the most exciting bands around (inline with my unhealthy obsession with BJM and Black
Rebel Motorcycle Club) that I have heard in a very long time. Is it hard to stand out in such a diverse city such as London?
Black Market Karma: Thank you for the kind words, we appreciate it. As for London, it isn’t what it’s made out to be. There are a lot scenesters about and short-lived fads. We try and avoid that as much as possible and just do our thing.
R-in-C: If you guys weren’t in a band, what would you be doing?
Black Market Karma: Looking to start one.
R-in-C: Where do find your inspiration?
Black Market Karma: Anything we can, not just music. Good and bad we try and take it all in.
R-in-C: What was the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Black Market Karma: So far it would probably be when we headed out to French countryside last year to play a guerrilla gig in the woods. It was worth it though as it turned out to be a great show.
R-in-C: Would you ever collaborate with anybody else? That could be an artist, photographer, fashion designer, actor etc?
Black Market Karma: Depends on the circumstances. Maybe with an artist? In terms of record covers and such. Musical collaborations don’t tend to work with us. Too many opinions.
R-in-C: There's always a few more general questions I like to ask the guests of Raised-in-Carolina. My first is, what are you currently listening to?
Black Market Karma: Right now, the sound of my laptop. We’re always trying to find and share quality music that we haven’t heard before. It’s more rewarding when you delve deep and discover something great. We still have old favourites though, and right now I can’t stop listening to My Bloody Valentines’ Loveless.
Black Market Karma: Thank you for the kind words, we appreciate it. As for London, it isn’t what it’s made out to be. There are a lot scenesters about and short-lived fads. We try and avoid that as much as possible and just do our thing.
R-in-C: If you guys weren’t in a band, what would you be doing?
Black Market Karma: Looking to start one.
R-in-C: Where do find your inspiration?
Black Market Karma: Anything we can, not just music. Good and bad we try and take it all in.
R-in-C: What was the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Black Market Karma: So far it would probably be when we headed out to French countryside last year to play a guerrilla gig in the woods. It was worth it though as it turned out to be a great show.
R-in-C: Would you ever collaborate with anybody else? That could be an artist, photographer, fashion designer, actor etc?
Black Market Karma: Depends on the circumstances. Maybe with an artist? In terms of record covers and such. Musical collaborations don’t tend to work with us. Too many opinions.
R-in-C: There's always a few more general questions I like to ask the guests of Raised-in-Carolina. My first is, what are you currently listening to?
Black Market Karma: Right now, the sound of my laptop. We’re always trying to find and share quality music that we haven’t heard before. It’s more rewarding when you delve deep and discover something great. We still have old favourites though, and right now I can’t stop listening to My Bloody Valentines’ Loveless.
R-in-C: If you set off travelling tomorrow and you had one sole thing you could take, what would it be?
Black Market Karma: A guitar.
R-in-C: What do you consider to be the greatest invention ever?
Black Market Karma: The guitar.
R-in-C: At which point do life and work become one?
Black Market Karma: When you enjoy your work.
R-in-C: What do you most dislike about the contemporary world?
Black Market Karma: Throw-away culture.
R-in-C: What is your favourite all time album?
Black Market Karma: There are too many great albums to pick just one!
R-in-C: Recommend something to us that will change our lives?
Black Market Karma: A Canadian show called Trailer Park Boys. It’s class.
R-in-C: Finally, if you could ask us one question right now, what would it be and what is next for Black Market Karma?
Black Market Karma: How did you find out about us? We’re gonna get this record mixed, pressed and released.
R-in-C: Thanks for your time guys and our answer to your question is, that we like to think R-in-C has a good nose for great music! We look forward to hearing more from Black Market Karma in the future. The band have a few live gigs coming up, one specifically which Raised-in-Carolina will be attending at The Miller, London Bridge on Friday 26th November (for more information visit the bands website here).
Links
www.blackmarketkarma.com
Black Market Karma: A guitar.
R-in-C: What do you consider to be the greatest invention ever?
Black Market Karma: The guitar.
R-in-C: At which point do life and work become one?
Black Market Karma: When you enjoy your work.
R-in-C: What do you most dislike about the contemporary world?
Black Market Karma: Throw-away culture.
R-in-C: What is your favourite all time album?
Black Market Karma: There are too many great albums to pick just one!
R-in-C: Recommend something to us that will change our lives?
Black Market Karma: A Canadian show called Trailer Park Boys. It’s class.
R-in-C: Finally, if you could ask us one question right now, what would it be and what is next for Black Market Karma?
Black Market Karma: How did you find out about us? We’re gonna get this record mixed, pressed and released.
R-in-C: Thanks for your time guys and our answer to your question is, that we like to think R-in-C has a good nose for great music! We look forward to hearing more from Black Market Karma in the future. The band have a few live gigs coming up, one specifically which Raised-in-Carolina will be attending at The Miller, London Bridge on Friday 26th November (for more information visit the bands website here).
Links
www.blackmarketkarma.com