The Karma Heart - Voltcase interview

Despite being flat out touring all over the UK at the moment, our good friends The Karma Heart took the time out to answer our Voltcase 'Top Ten' questions. Check out the interview, and then check these guys out on tour in a town near you - you won't be disappointed! Think of it as an early Christmas present to yourself or something...

Hey, welcome to Voltcase, how are things!?

Going great, thanks! We’re currently half-way through our UK tour and we have the release of our debut album, ‘Throw Your Light’, due in the New Year, so it’s all go for The Karma Heart!

So, how would you describe your music to a stranger in just three words?

Incubus, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin!! Yeah! (technically thats six words, but, hey, what the hell - ed)

For someone that has never listened to you before, what one track would you recommend that they check out to first, and why?

Check-out ‘The Fated’, the opening track on our new album. We’re currently giving it away as a free MP3 to those who sign up to our mailing list at www.thekarmaheart.com. It was chosen as ‘Classic Rock’s Track of the Day’ back in September. It’s had over 400 downloads so far, so it’s something we’re really proud of.

What music are you guys listening to at the moment? Any new bands out there that you think we should check out?

Loving ‘Karnivool’, off to see them again in Manchester in December. Also really into ‘Alexisonfire’ at the moment; they’re awesome live too!

So, what’s the most rock’n’roll thing to happen to you while on tour?

We usually say we’re not that rock’n’roll, but we somehow always end up in the thick of things; especially when it involves jagermeister! So far on tour, the most bizarre thing was some kid got naked at our Carlisle gig and his mates we’re just carrying him around the room!? They we’re a great laugh to have in the crowd like, but it was all rather strange!

To date, who are the coolest people that you’ve ever toured or played with?

In our former incarnation, ‘Remedy’, we toured with Meatloaf’s daughter, Pearl; she is one hell of a rock-chick and has some serious vocals. Her partner is with Scott Ian from Anthrax and he was the guitarist for her on tour. Hanging out with those guys for 10 days was amazing. They we’re so cool and down-to-earth; inviting us back to their hotel rooms, sharing their rider of fine English Ales with us, haha; they we’re just really lovely people and made us feel so welcome. We’d love to hook back up with those guys, just genuinely friendly musicians.

Do you believe in the supernatural? And, if so, have you ever had any personal ‘spooky’ experiences?

In some form or other we each have our beliefs in the band. Bass-player Lee is probably the most sceptical, the rest of us do believe in some form of the ‘supernatural’ and have had our own experiences.

Personally, I attended an Ouija-board sitting, and the pointer really seemed to respond to my voice most out of the other’s there, so they had me ask all the questions. We did contact relatives of people there as names were coming through that only one person would know. This one woman made contact with her dad, it came to a climax and she must have asked a question in her head, none of us realised she had done this, the pointer just moved to ‘Yes’; she burst into tears and said ‘Thank you’. It just felt weird as I was guiding the questions and they we’re answering me. It wasn’t scary or freaky at any point; we all felt safe, it was actually really calming!

If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you ask yourself? And what would the answer be?

Q: Do you truly believe you can make something of yourselves as a band?

A: Yes, I believe we can achieve anything we set our minds to. You can only go as high as you set that bar, so reach for the sky. Think positively and create positivity – it’s the kind of mantra any band needs to have these days. It is tough; there’s lots of competition and very few opportunities, so you’ve got to believe that you’re going to get them, and be able to make the most of whatever is offered.

you were stuck on a desert island with only one album, what album would you chose?

Oooo tough! Jen: Led Zeppelin IV – I have so many fond memories to the tracks on this album; those alone would keep me company on a desert island, plus I love to sing Zeppelin, so that would also help keep me happy!

Graham: Super-unknown, Soundgarden – I just love that album man!

Lee: Crow Left of the Murder, Incubus – I have a sleeve of that artwork tattooed on my arm. They’re an awesome band!

Phil: The Colour and The Shape, Foo Fighters – there’s not a single track I’d skip.

And finally... what do you think the word 'Voltcase' means?

A really electric, hyperactive person, i.e. “Your acting like a total Voltcase man!”. Otherwise, someone who likes to lick batteries.

Cheers from The Karma Heart! Join us on Facebook and find out just what we’re getting up to on tour!

www.facebook.com/thekarmaheart