Karmacoda is a genre-defying duo with a two-decade career spanning electronica, trip-hop, R&B, ballads, and dream pop. Known for blending soulful R&B with jazz lounge influences, they’ve gained recognition from publications like Electronic Groove which supported the remix of their hit ‘Dare’ by American producer E39, while his house remix of their track ‘Time Flies’ received support from House Music With Love, electronic duo KRONO’s remix of Karmacoda’s ‘Deja Vu’ received praise from Dancing Astronaut, and Oliver Schories’ melodic house remix of ‘Deja Vu’ premiered on YourEDM. Furthermore, Karmacoda have also received acclaim from CLASH Magazine, Wonderland Mag, and Earmilk, with airplay on NPR Music and RTÉ 2XM. The original track was lifted off their 2022 Lessons In Time LP. Featuring Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (vocals/producer), and Eric Matsuno (bass/multi-instrumentalist). ‘Time’ touches on themes of regret and introspection. It features subtle, autotuned vocals, interwoven into a symphony of piano chords, a steady shaker and mesmerising melody. 

 

Hi Karmacoda! Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to 6AM. How are you?

Doing great, thank you!  We’re very excited about the new remixes we’re releasing this year beginning with the Prince Kaybee remix of our song Time.

 

To start off you both have had a 2 decade career spanning a multitude of genres. Considering this project is quite genre defying, how would you best describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music before? What aspects of your prior genres have you integrated with your current sound?

We’re definitely an electronica forward band and always have been. Currently our inspirational genres are pop, R&B and elements of Soul.  I tell people that we write songs with music that is fresh and surprising where the listener hopefully says, “I’ve never heard that before” and then put really compelling vocals on top of it.

 

The first song you ever wrote together in 2003 was featured in an independent film. Did that placement change how you thought about your music’s potential beyond traditional releases?’’

We’re always been interested in independent films and having our music on the soundtrack or composing original music for the soundtrack.  Our music is only successful, imho, when it conjures images in your mind.

 

Your single “Time” was originally released in 2022 as part of Lessons In Time, and now it’s resurfacing through a new Prince Kaybee remix. What made you feel like now was the right moment to revisit it through a remix? Why did you feel that an afrohouse remix was a good move for this track?

Prince Kaybee actually selected Time as the remix! When a song resonates with a producer/remixer that’s always a good sign.  I love afrohouse and that just made the remix even more exciting.

Karmacoda’s music has attracted remixes from acclaimed producers and DJs like Krono, Birds of The West, Extrawelt, Tobias Bergson, Oliver Schories, and Prince Kaybee. What do you think resonates with electronic artists in your sound, and how do you feel when you hear your work reinterpreted through their distinct styles?

I think our approach to vocals and singing attracts great remixers to our music.  I love it when I hear a reinterpretation of our songs from a completely different standpoint.  It breathes new life into the song.

Are there any producers or DJs you’re particularly excited to collaborate with next, and what kind of sonic direction would you love to explore together in the future?

We’re always on the lookout for producers and DJs especially up and coming ones with a fresh sound.  I’d love for a producer to remix one of our songs in a style closer to our own and not necessarily in a dance genre, creating a sort of fraternal twin of the song. 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for your great questions and everyone out there be kind to someone today and make their day special.

 

Follow Karmacoda: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | Soundcloud | Youtube | Spotify