Contact News CD Reviews Gig Reviews Gig Guide Gig Photos UK Rock Charts Interviews Links Old News Unsigned Bands

Shaun Williamson - King Karma

Interview By Steve Cummings

For those who don't know can you give us a quick synopsis of the band and how you came to get together?

I heard about KING KARMA through a very good friend named Kenny Kilgore (www.kennykilgore.com) who was recording in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with Producer/Engineer Steve Melton. Steve mentioned to Kenny that he and Jimmy Johnson were working with this killer band from Canada who was in dire need of a blues based rock singer. I received a demo CD of the band and was instantly fired up! I had a 30 minute phone conversation with Bass player TODD RONNING and we hit it off immediately. I flew up shortly thereafter and began writing songs with them for KING KARMA'S first record.
 

The debut King Karma album is available in Europe through Z Records, how did a Canadian based band come to be signed to a label based out of Liverpool, England?
 
I honestly can't tell you much about Z Records..that company is an enigma as far as I'm concerned.

Outside of Europe the band is distributing the album through your website, at shows and via CDbaby.com, how come you haven't scored a US deal yet for the release of the album and do you believe that is the next big step required in King Karma's evolution?

We have always known in this band that we will have to fight for EVERYTHING we accomplish. We don't follow trends, and care only about creating the best music we can. We understand how the music business works, and know that you have to have a tough skin. Record companies are in the business of making money..they aren't concerned with "Art".  I think bands and artists of real quality will always rise to some level of success with or without the big machine behind them. KING KARMA will make it's mark one way or the other..it's the real deal.


Talking of websites and the internet, what is your view on the downloading of music? Does it in anyway help bands like King Karma or is it simply killing the acts who are in smaller niche markets?

The internet is still in it's infancy..we have just begun to realize all of the possibilities. For a new band or artist I think it's a great way to get your music out to people and sell a few CD's, however I have yet to hear of an independent band selling a million records online. We've done well on the internet, but it has taken a LOT of time & effort!
 
Producers Jimmy Johnson & Steve Melton were responsible for getting the songs on your debut album down on tape, Given the fact that these guys have worked with mega stars such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Rolling Stones previously, how did you manage to secure their services?

Todd Ronning (Bass) & Markus Wolfe (Guitar) met Producer/Songwriter Josh Leo in Nashville. Josh played a demo for John Briggs (Now VP of ASCAP in Nashville)... John suggested that Jimmy Johnson produce the band.


I described the CD in review as 'the album that Audioslave should have made, The Black Crowes have always wanted to make and Badlands may have made had events not turned sour'. Given that all of these bands, and King Karma, draw heavily on influences from the 1970's was it a conscious decision to style your music this way or was the process more natural than this?

Thanks! This band has a great collective Bullshit detector built into it's conciousness..we just play what's natural and fun.


Pick one song if you would, your choice, from the album and if you possible give us an insight into how you go about writing a song. What comes first, guitar riffs, melody, lyrics and the type of thought processes and quality control you employ in getting to the finished article.

Todd & Markus usually come up with riffs that we jam on..I sing whatever comes to my head until a melody appears from the heavens. We shape the structure of the "song" so it makes sense. Then I usually start the lyric writing process..the guys have always been good about giving me honest feedback and encouragement on the content. Some songs take an hour..some take months to finish.


The album has been out in Europe now for about five or six months and the reviews have generally been extremely encouraging, has the reaction been as good as you expected or has it exceeded your expectations?

We are always extremely happy when someone spends time with what we do. They say it takes a community to raise a child..well KING KARMA is our baby..thanks everyone!


The band has played quite a few shows in Canada in support of the album, what are the plans, if any, for getting across the Atlantic and showing European audiences what King Karma are like in a live situation?
 
We would love to come over and play in Europe! Those things will happen at some point, although I can't say for sure when.
 

The only song on the album not self written is 'Revolution Man' which was penned by Rob Lamothe and appeared on The Riverdogs 'Bone' album, how come you chose this, admittedly fantastic song, for inclusion on the record rather than including another original track?
 
I've known Rob for many years and he is one of my favorite singer/songwriters. I've always loved that song and thought this was the perfect time to cover it.

According to the bands bio, before joining King Karma you lived and worked in Europe, playing music all over the continent. In your view what are the main differences in audiences and musical taste between Europe and America?

Music is a universal language. People know what good music is..they may be fooled into buying crap for awhile when they are young because of peer pressure, the media, etc..but in the end it comes down to things that touch you down deep and stay with you forever...that's why we still listen to bands like Led Zeppelin..those are the soundtracks of our lives. If "OOP'S I DID IT AGAIN" is your soundtrack then all I can say is that you have some shopping to do ;)
 
And finally is there anything else you would like to add?
 
I would just like to thank you kindly on behalf the band for the interview!

Many thanks to Shaun for taking the time to speak with HARDROCKHOUSE.COM. As mention in the interview the bands debut album is available through Z Records and you can check out our review here. You can also find out more about the band via their official website at www.kingkarma.com

 

 

Return To Interview Main Menu

 

Contact News CD Reviews Gig Reviews Gig Guide Gig Photos UK Rock Charts Interviews Links Old News Unsigned Bands

© Copyright 2005, HardRockHouse.Com.