Music
Press
The range in which this CD presents itself is something not to miss. Their first song "Endless" plays out, a solid bass riff, building into the union of guitar and vocal harmonies, showcasing an early idea of the power behind Sean McIrvin's voice. A perceptible force striding alongside McIrvin is that of Josh Holland, laying down tracks for guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals. Holland weaves you through "Across the Shore" for a two-minute tease, and then seemingly speaks to you with his guitar during "Halloween." Another collaboration of strengths is embodied by "Change," where McIrvin and Holland tweak your groove bone, inevitably displaying their ability to drive into rougher riffs and beats. I'm left to drift along my day, while layers of Karmedy's "Floating Along" trips along with me, urging me to attend. There is variety here. Karmedy is an escalating local champion with an approach fearless of demonstrating a sizeable aptitude for music. In short, expect great things. You can learn more about Karmedy and upcoming shows at www.karmedymusic.com.
- Published on: 2007-04-02- - Bennu Ardea - Crave Magazine
Karmedy the name of the band is derived from karma and comedy or as the band states the good and the bad, the balance that is life. Karmedy is comprised of founding members; singer Sean McIrvin and guitarist Josh Holland who also played drums, bass and sang background vocals on the album. McIrvin and Holland are based out of Vancouver, WA and before you ask is there some grunge Or post grunge in their sound, the answer is yes. I hear the Alice in Chains one, two punch and the Pearl Jam Eddie Vedder rasp and cleaver lyric, the grittiness of Soundgarden, but there’s other elements like the melodic inspiration from a band like Incubus or Sevendust. Clearly Karmedy have something in the mix that will catch your ear. Karmedy include a pair of curve balls on Karmedy; "Across the Shore" is an instrumental track where the dominant instrument in this case the guitar mimics the role of a piano and then there’s the song "Halloween" which finds singer McIrvin reminiscing and admiring the holiday its self. Both are definitely outside of the box and a risk, but they paid off in spades. Other notable standout tracks on Karmedy are; opener “Endless Circle,” and “Break” which boast brilliant introspective lyrics about life, you’ll have to pull out the liners not only on these song, but as you listen to the entire album. There’s more than meets the eye or ear and you’ll need more than one listen to digest Karmedy.
http://www.pivotalalliance.com/webzine/ - Ruben Mosqueda - Pivotal Rage Lite
I've been following a new band called Karmedy (based out of Vancouver, Washington) for over a year now. When I first stumbled across this band, I was immediately intrigued by the articulation from the sound of instruments and the harmony of vocals. Later I found out that the band started out with, and recorded their first album using only two members- Josh Holland (backing vocals, drums, bass, guitar and lyrics) and Sean McIrvin (lead vocals and lyrics). Over a year later, the band added on two more members - Ian Wengs (bass) and Kyle Bertels (guitar). McIrvin remains Karmedy's lead vocalist and Holland is Karmedy's backing vocalist and drummer.
As a new band that describes themselves as "Heavy rock to an ambient groove, melodic vocals with lush harmonies. Alice in Chains meets Incubus with an underpinning of Sevendust and Tool. Lyrics to think on while you bang your head." I was curious to see how Karmedy translated live. Would a new bassist and guitarist match up to the audio quality that I've been pining over for so long?
In March, Karmedy performed with other bands at a small club in Vancouver, Washington for a benefit concert to raise emergency funds for a family that lost a father in a fatal car accident. I am definitely all for showing support to any good cause. The purpose of this benefit concert alone was enough to get me out to this event - even if the bands playing that night were lame. Fortunately, this was not the case. The bare-chested, tattooed bassist was amazing. The meekly expressive guitarist played just as clean as the recorded album sounded. The animated drummer/backing vocalist was impressive. The lead vocalist had sounded better live than what the album had suggested (which was great). He also had a good stage presence. I think this band has a lot of serious potential. I am interested in following this band's progress! I hope that you all will be interested as well! Great start Karmedy!
www.skorchmagazine.com - Skorch Magazine 2007
Discography
Self Titled LP released June of 2006
Photos
Bio
Karmedy \‘kahr mi dee\ n. (no plural)
1. Everything happens for a reason. Our intentions drive events in one direction or another, making things better or worse, creating success or failure, punishment or reward. Some use the concept of “karma” to describe this interplay of cause and effect, implying that everyone gets what they deserve. Such a life can seem cruel and unforgiving. But when it is viewed after the fact, the whole story looks very silly indeed—a cosmic comedy that is both bigger than all of us, yet requires our constant input.
The band Karmedy is funny like that—a perfect example of the universe’s endless sense of humor and determined destiny, working itself out as it should be. Karmedy owes its success to the paths of its members and supporters, however diverse and unique they may be.
Josh (drummer, background vocals) is the originator of Karmedy. He grew the band concept and first album in the secret laboratory of Viruseye Studios, tirelessly writing and performing all the instrumentation for this 13-song CD, which he also recorded and engineered. A quick run through Oasis Mastering revealed artistry and determination not often found in a world of wannabe rockers, for whom art is extra, and work is supposed to be someone else’s problem. Josh has never been afraid to push his boundaries of talent and abilities. His investment gave Karmedy a beginning with real momentum, allowing it to become truly unstoppable. Presenting some of the most advanced and powerful drum work in modern music is but one of his gifts to the band as a whole.
Sean (singer and front-man), Josh’s friend since childhood serves a variety of functions without which this creation never would have happened. Acting as the indispensable Igor of the secret lab throughout Karmedy’s monstrous creation, his library of skills goes well beyond singing, to have built up much of the working infrastructure surrounding and supporting the Karmedy phenomenon. A life of austerity and active social connection created his intensity of charisma and presence, very appropriate for the vocals and primary face of the band. His powerful, resonant voice, used before in spoken word and comedy, carries poignant lyrics that, for once, have a message to be learned from and inspired by, without being preachy, lame, vulgar or dismal.
With this crew you can be sure that Karmedy will get what it deserves. The music speaks for itself, delivering a wealth of hooks and an inspirational message rare for its well-trodden genre. This is hard, metal music that at once drives heads to bang and pits to mosh, while displaying dynamic peaks and troughs characteristic of more polished musical forms. Throughout the songs one can also hear a regional thread, hinting at Karmedy’s Northwestern origins without beating a proverbial dead horse over it. The sheer creativity and intensity of writing and performance come through loud and clear as these four unlikely guys collide head-on in a musical explosion unlike any other. In getting what they deserve, Karmedy will have a lot to laugh about, because they will have earned it fair and square.
Links
