Daily Inspiration: Meet Karma Vulture

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karma Vulture. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Karma Vulture was formed in Los Angeles out of the ashes of our (Will and Conor’s) old band, Panic In Eden. After PIE, we set out to do something a little different. Conor took over playing bass and singing as a result of us not having a singer (and us not wanting to go through that rat race again).

We felt that a fresh start for the two of us was not only best but also needed. We released an EP “Loud As Fuck” in 2018 and shortly after that Ben joined the band. With Ben behind the kit, we not only added an incredible drummer into the mix but also a third songwriter. That was quite a huge moment for us and for the overall development of the band. We quickly got to work writing new songs and playing shows all over Southern California and then 2020 happened…

Once lockdown was in place we (just like everyone else) found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands (some might say too much time on our hands)… And since we were not allowed to do anything in the great state of California, we decided to bust ass behind the scenes and write as much music as possible so that we could keep some semblance of sanity amongst ourselves (although that may be debatable how sane we were).

It was during that time that we recorded our second EP “Death By Comfort” with Norm Block and then eventually self-produced our first full-length album “Something Better” as well as a handful of music videos to go along with both releases. In 2021, not only us, but our label “Bent Knee Records” as a whole decided a change in scenery was very much needed. We ended up agreeing upon Nashville after some long discussions and inevitably 9 of us made the move, three bands, and the record label. We gotta say Will was especially happy about Nashville as he is initially from the south and it has certainly not disappointed.

Since moving in 2021, the city of Nashville has been absolutely incredible to us and we look forward to melting faces for a long time to come. We are set to release our album “Something Better” on 04/28 and are looking forward to what the next chapter holds for us. Our plans involved hitting the road very hard and touring in support of “Something Better” throughout 2023.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? You’re just trolling us now. That’s a beyond cruel question haha. It has not been a smooth road. In order for the road to be smooth it would have to exist in the first place. We have and will continue to pave our own road anew every day. That’s kind of your option as a musician.

My little joke pertaining to this is the bad part about the music industry right now is ‘there’s no money’… The good part about the music industry right now is ‘there’s no money’. There are no slick suits approaching us to say “Hey, if you make me an imagine dragons record I’ll sign you to Sony.” I would rather eat a septic soup sandwich.

My long-winded point is to touch on our advice to folks just starting out is unless there is no other way for you to live your life. Unless music is just it. GO DO SOMETHING EASY. There are no roads, rules, handbooks, effective courses, or college degrees that will help you be a professional artist in any real sense. You have to be obsessed. You have to want it so bad that you will sacrifice life, limb, sanity, money, relationships, birthdays, day jobs, nice things, security, and anything you can think of to make it happen. Anyone who says they can help, especially early on, is typically, so full of excrement that eventually you’ll smell it from a mile away.

Why willingly put yourself through all of this you may be wondering? Even after all the wild things we have experienced in our respective journeys, there is not a feeling on earth like being on stage, locked into the spiritual void in the minds of the audience with your best friends next to you as you lead the shamanic experience that is a great concert. There is not a feeling on earth like being able to, in the physical realm, hand someone an idea that started in your head. Music is magic, real magic, and maybe one of the few forms of real magic that we can control.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So I would say in the simplest of terms what we hope and intend to do is make badass rock music.

We try our best to hide compelling, interesting, well-written pop songs in effects-laden, loud, stoner rock style (or as it used to be known ‘Grunge’) format. KV specializes in being able to use our gear to sound like a lot more than 3 people. This is a comment we get a few times a show.

As far as what we are most proud of, and what sets us apart from the other folks in the genre in which we have been classified, is kind of the above elevator pitch. We don’t specialize in the droning, repetitious, “Bong songs” of our peers. We don’t have growling or screaming vocals. We don’t ape (or even listen to) Metallica. There are certainly elements of all of that. And on occasion have been known to partake with 1 or maybe 5 units of the devils’ lettuce, to use the parlance of our times. We just like to be loud, rock and roll degenerates, who also enjoy complex arrangements, sonic adventures, and exploring the world through art.

Another point of pride is the ease with which we (Willy and I) have worked together for nearly 15 years. When Ben joined the band he was like “….Wait. Where’s all the yelling…?!?”

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Fairly often we run into folks that ask us some form of this question. My answer especially to younger people is pretty simple “Be obsessed, or do something by easier” haha. Making art is not always a bucket of laughs. As a rule, you’re presenting you’re metaphorical behind for life, and society to kick, hard sometimes too.

A theme that has come up time and again as of late is the idea that in order to take advantage of luck and opportunity, you first need consistency. With doing something over and over again, no matter the result comes failure. Welcome it. You have to fail to understand what it takes to succeed. As the Navy SEALs say “embrace the suck” 98% of what appears to be “overnight success” is preceded by a decade(s) of getting smacked around by whatever universal forces you pledge allegiance to. Haha

I’ll give you a piece of advice that was given to me before I left for music school when I was 18 years old.

“You could become the very best at what you do and no one may care. But always remember this: Most artists don’t fail. They just give up. If music is important to you. Don’t give up.” – Bill Spellane

Pricing:

• “Something Better” CD $12
• “Something Better” Cassette $15
• Long Sleeve “Loud As Fuck” Shirt $35
• Karma Vulture Logo T-Shirt $20
• Ultimate Collectors Bundle (both shirts, CD &Tape, plus KV Tape Player) $125

Contact Info:

• Website: https://karmavulture.bandcamp.com/album/something-better
• Instagram: @karmavulture
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/karmavulture/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCaND_MU7FfobtKvaF82D9kg?fbclid=PAAaZAgYGkpgBz5QBo0fgwv6zp-1e3SSkwLAZv1CVs8yR9GhWgQAoZCcLa60U
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/71HlfQAMr06LBNL2lwkJhq?si=imNQWeTaTz2y69gBKd1TaQ 

Image Credits
Josh Loney and Britt Mae Photography