Karmacoda

Genre	trip-hop, electronic, downtempo, chillout, electronica

Karmacoda is a US trip hop, downtempo and electronica band based in San Francisco, CA. Karmacoda features lead vocalist Heather Pierce, vocalist/guitarist B., DJ/Turntablist Rafael Acevedo and bassist Eric Matsuno.
History

Karmacoda (whose name is an homage to Karmacoma, a song by British trip-hop collective Massive Attack, a nod to their impromptu formation (karma) and a description of their loop-based musical style (coda)), began as a studio project effort between founding members B. and Heather Pierce when they met in 2000 and realized their mutual interest in trip hop and drum and bass. A few months earlier B. had played friend and drummer Bruce Fulford new material he had written in an attempt to explore new electronic music territory. While working on the new instrumental tracks both B. and Bruce agreed that adding vocals could complete the sound they were searching for.

A few weeks later in August 2001 the trio met at B's studio. Their first meeting and studio work resulted in the song, Frail and what would become many evenings spent writing and recording Karmacoda's debut album, Reco mended.

Reco mended fused morphing elements of trip hop, electronica and rock with emotionally charged vocals that prompted one reviewer to write: the voices, the attitude, the atmospherics are beautiful.

The summer 2001 release of Reco mended garnered an overwhelmingly positive response (including several independent music awards) and a surprised Karmacoda began receiving inquiries as to when the new group would begin performing. Because the band began primarily as a studio project, the challenges and limitations of performing the material live were not a primary concern during writing and recording. Following Bruce's move to Los Angeles, Heather and B. started work on creating a live show. B. called upon friend and San Francisco bassist Brian Templeton. To maintain maximum sonic flexibility and remain true to their new sound, the band decided that what was ideally needed was a DJ possessing a strong musical sensibility and who was comfortable spinning alongside other live musicians. The group soon met DJ Rafael Acevedo, also looking to become involved in a group like Karmacoda.

Karmacoda's live shows quickly became popular throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, grabbing the attention of local promoters and clubs and a burgeoning fan base. By integrating live a VJ who creates real-time custom video, the band's musical vision also became a principle component of their live performances.

Karmacoda's second disc Evidence, featured more extensively the vocals of Heather and B. Released in August 2003, Evidence received critical acclaim (and like Reco mended) was featured extensively in film and television soundtracks. Upon hearing Evidence one reviewer wrote: "This San Francisco-based four-piece seem committed to exploring a sound that parallels the very best of their genre, but they still make a populist push in terms of the relaxed atmospheres and lush arrangements on display.

Karmacoda's ace in the hole is Heather Pierce, whose voice is so gorgeous that it's impossible not to get wrapped up in its sexy cool "

In 2004, the band enlisted the skills of famous and up-and-coming Bay Area and European DJs and producers to rework the songs on Evidence. The result was Altered Evidence: Late Night Remixes, a dynamic, dance friendly compilation of tracks. The popular Brazilian trip hop site Tripofagia wrote: If we are not able to fly, Karmacoda teaches us how to simulate that.

In 2005, original bassist Brian Templeton relocated to New York and was replaced by Bay Area bassist Eric Matsuno.

In 2004, Karmacoda began work on a third album of original material Illuminate, which was released in March 2007. According to their website, the album was mastered by Andy VanDette.

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