soul pop – RCRD LBL

Image credit: Bill Shupp

Fearless and profound band KARMACODA shared a new LP Lessons In Time and the song ‘Time Flies’, both via Sola Musa Music on the 28th of October. The San Fransisco, USA-based band has consistently mesmerised their fans with their universal sound that is likened to the music of the likes of Paloma Faith, and Adele among others.

Stream / Download: KARMACODA – Lessons In Time LP

The new LP Lessons In Time is a careful mixture of reinvigorating vocals and satisfying downtempo. The 13-track LP takes listeners on a musical feast: for example, ‘Lovely’, the first track, is a euphoric downtempo song that attains the bliss point with its layback piano notes followed by leisured drums beats, and the second track ‘Fly By’ is a beautiful R&B song that is accentuated by the crash and ride cymbal and the hi-Hats, producing a sound that is light and sophisticated. The tenth track, ‘beyond the pale’, contains a special blend of jazz saxophones and melancholic vocals resulting in a ballad that explodes with emotions.

The dynamic band KARMACODA tell us about the songwriting philosophy adopted for this LP: “The songs on Lessons In Time were written from reflecting on my life, looking back in time, reliving my best memories. No regrets. These songs are lessons in time. I decided it was time to tell it, not all of it, but some of the more memorable moments while resting in where I am today”.

Follow KARMACODA:

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify

Image credit: Nick Paulsen

Vocalist, musician, producer, illustrator and actor, Dallas Tamaira shares soulful new single Spider– Stream ‘Spider’ here. Watch ‘Spider’ video here

Spider follows on last year’s lockdown single ‘No Flowers’ which marked Dallas Tamaira‘s return to his roots as a solo artist after Fat Freddy’s Drop, of which Dallas is the founder member and vocalist, had a two month UK/European tour ground to a halt during the first COVID lockdown in March 2020. The acclaimed Kiwi band was forced to cancel the 14 sold out arena shows and return home facing a largely uncertain future. Dallas turned the potentially negative experience of self-isolation into a positive and productive time.

The brand new single ‘Spider’ represents the peaceful, slower pace of life Tamaira fell in love with during his confinement at home. Produced with friend, musician and producer Devin Abrams (Pacific Heights/Drax Project), the single late-night summer vibes, dark guitar and heavy bass contrasted with large sweeping layers of vocals are brought together with soulful piano flourishes. The result is smooth, lush, low-fi slow soul, delivered by arguably one of the world’s most gifted soul vocalists.

Talking about the track Dallas says; the underlying message in the lyrics is that life can be hard sometimes and that’s ok. For some people it’s more important to see the world for how it is rather than maintaining a constant positive outlook. We are all built differently and that’s a beautiful thing. Whether you choose to be present in the now or escape reality completely, do it on your own terms and don’t let anyone else tell you how to live your life.

Under the moniker of Joe Dukie Dallas rose to international acclaim as the velvet smooth vocalist for Fat Freddy’s Drop, a band considered one of the finest live draws worldwide. Dallas is of Ngati Tuwharetoa and Pakeha descent, born in Ōtautahi / Christchurch and raised in the small coastal town of Kaikoura. Music is in the blood, his Freddy’s stage name is inspired by his father singer-songwriter Joe and paternal grandfather, a musician nicknamed Dukie after Duke Ellington.

Dallas has fronted Fat Freddy’ s Drop powerhouse from the early underground days in Wellington to headlining sell out shows across Europe, UK, Australia and back home in Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2005 Dallas was awarded Best Vocalist at the bNet NZ Music Awards, and he also illustrated Freddy’s iconic cartoon characters for HOPE and B.O.A.T.S albums.

As a guest vocalist Dallas worked and recorded tracks for international acts such as The Nextmen, Gentlemen’s Dub Club, Eva Be, Recloose and Boozoo Bajou and New Zealand artists including Pacific Heights, Tubbs and Shapeshifter.