Vinyl Dharma

Vinyl Dharma is one of Austin's biggest bands on the rise.

Originally from South Texas, the band formed in 2000, and began performing with it's present members in 2006.

Vinyl Dharma consists of Johnny Dharma (vocals and guitar), Josh (drums), Nado (bass) and John (lead guitar). While their music may be considered alternative, they have a diverse sound to them with hints of electronic, folk, and rock to create a sound that will move you.

Although Austin is saturated with with hundreds of bands, Vinyl Dharma has proven themselves to stand out amongst the best of the best. They have played at venues like Stubbs, Lucky Lounge, The Parish and Austin Music Hall.

It can be a struggle getting known, seen and recognized with all the talent around so it's important for them to stand out. "It's kind of like being an actor in LA," says Josh. They take much pride in not only producing an amazing show, but in the relationships being built along the way.

Attending one of their shows is quite an experience in itself. "It's like a wave of emotions," says Dharma. "You get it all, fast, slow, heart felt and rock and roll." Whatever sound they are translating, they demand perfection and nothing short of a rock solid show.

Beyond playing around Austin, you may know Vinyl Dharma from winning the MTV2 contest, "Band on the Rise" This band is on a national level and they are doing it again. The X Games is holding a battle of the bands contest which started on March 18th and consists of two rounds. Out of 200 bands, Vinyl Dharma lead it all the way to first place, winning round one and now they are on to round two. There are 8 bands in this final round competing for 1st and 2nd place with winnings up to $25,000.00 All 8 bands from around the country will be sharing the stage at the X Games with Kanye West and the Flaming Lips.

The band with the most votes by June 7 wins the title. You can vote through Vinyl Dharma's Facebook page and the X Games website at xbands.xgamesaustin.com.

For more Vinyl Dharma tunes, visit their website at www.vinyldharma.net. - The Austin Socialite

Vinyl Dharma shined with the assured and melodic “To and From.” The wordless harmonies were pitch perfect. “Heal” and “Sleep Under Cover” happened to be built on a bedrock of bass lines, had the framework of dance riffs, and was insulated by long distant vocal runs. Fans voted Super Bob the winner, which then walked away with $25k. VD took home $10k, but with their songwriting chops, creative sound, and poetic lyrics, a second place finish in a battle of noise vs notes will be just be another check cashed in the course of many more big paydays to come. - Donny Rodriguez

It’s hard not to tap your feet or bob your head as soon as you hit the play button on this album. Vinyl Dharma’s The Lost Years is full of energy throughout. What’s even better is that it manages to maintain that energy in different ways. Whether it’s catchy dance tracks, campy rock songs, or edgy electro-fuzz, the album delivers the eclectic sound without ever sounding confused.

The album starts with catchy dance tracks including “MDC (Midnight Dance Culture)” & “Light Me Up” which set the energy tone for the album. A few tracks later, they nail it with “Sleep Under Cover” which is what I would call their single and most marketable mainstream track and then proceeds with “Radio Flyer”, a spacey/atmospheric track provides a break in the dancing but somehow manages to keep all the energy. The title track “The Lost Years” (arguably the album’s best track) is a pop-rock track with a catchy hook and enough emotion to elicit some serious nostalgia. The album closes with the odd-couple of the aggressive electro-rock track “Heal” and the blissful outro “Underground”.

Overall, The Lost Years is a very solid, well-rounded album. All the way through, the thundering basslines and rhythmic drumming provide a great foundation for the synths/guitars to explore a variety of musical landscapes. If you enjoy tapping your foot or bobbing your head to good tunes, you will probably play this album on repeat. - ATX Music Mag

Vinyl Dharma, an Austin-based alternative rock band that got its start in Brownsville 13 years ago, is appealing to its friends in the Rio Grande Valley to help it win the Summer X Games 2014 Battle of the Bands contest in Austin.
As for the X Games contest, Dharma thinks being an Austin band gives the group an edge. As of late Friday afternoon, Vinyl Dharma was substantially ahead of the three other Austin-based bands competing in the contest. In second place was a group from Washington D.C./South Carolina. - STEVE CLARK

Vinyl Dharma @ Stubbs - MTV2 live recording - MTV2

Vinyl Dharma Live on TRL stage. Band on the Rise - MTV2

Vinyl Dharma Live on TRL stage. Band on the Rise - MTV2

Vinyl Dharma is a five-piece indie-electro outfit from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas but has called Austin home for the past few years. After making an immediate entrance into the Live Music Capital’s local scene and capturing national attention on MTV2, Vinyl Dharma recently released what may be the best EP the Austin indie music scene has yet to embrace. The six-song, self-titled EP may be Austin’s best kept secret.

The EP begins with their most popular single, “The Sunshine Rave.” Those who are familiar with Vinyl Dharma have heard the song at their shows and have seen the clip on the band’s MTV2 video posted on the Vinyl Dharma MySpace page. “The Sunshine Rave” is a synthesized indie track that will have the kids bouncing and singing along. It’s the perfect song to bring together fans of bands like New Order and pop radio listeners who haven’t got a clue about what good indie is.

“Head For The Hills” is another standout track worthy of single status. Even more synthesizer-driven than “The Sunshine Rave,” the seven-minute track leaves no guitar riff or key untouched. It is very bouncy, beat heavy and danceable. Cosmic keyboard sounds and crunchy guitar riffs bring together ambient and electro sounds in one song, a feat rarely accomplished. “Infidelity” is the other must-download single off the EP. Recalling the spirit and sounds of early disco house, the heavy bass lines compliment vocalist Johnny Dharma on this pop-tastic song ride.

The guys take a break from the the madness on the acoustic ballad “Sunder,” but it lacks any real standout characteristics. It only shows Vinyl Dharma are at their best when putting all their instruments to use. The only other disappointment of the Vinyl Dharma EP is that it only gives the listener six songs. With all that talent and polish, the band needs a full length. Expect good things from Vinyl Dharma.

- Ian Morales - Austin Vida

Will you be rockin' to MTV on New Year's Eve? Keep an eye out for local Austin band Vinyl Dharma. They'll be among the performers for "Tila Tequila's New Year's Eve Masquerade 2008" Party on Monday, December 31st. "A Shot at Love" star Tila Tequila will be hosting the event along with MTV's Damien Fahey and Lyndsey Rodrigues from 11pm to 12:30am ET (that's 10-11:30pm our time, folks).

Vinyl Dharma won an online contest held by MTV in several cities -- including Austin -- in which fans voted for their favorite hometown band. The band won the opportunity to have their video performance taped in Times Square and the video will air live during a local Austin commercial break.

The bash also includes performances by Mary J. Blige, Paramore, Good Charlotte, Flo Rida and more. Entertainment blogger Perez Hilton will host his own purple carpet with celebrity interviews.

Tune in to MTV on New Year's Eve to catch their performance. - About.com