‘Karmatose’ by Parasocials
#FuturePicks - meet THE PARASOCIALS
“When we’re working on new material we have an anything goes attitude in terms of genre. As long as it’s good and fits our sound, we will play it.”
Available from 30th April, the self released digital single, ‘Karmatose’ is the debut release from fusion tuned beatniks, Parasocials.
It’s taken from their impressive forthcoming six-track EP which was produced by Ed West (D.R.E., Zara McFarlane) and Joe Henwood (Nubiyan Twist) at Henwood Studios in South East London.
Parasocials fuse sonic diversion into focused chaos fed through the idiosyncratic youthful verse and musical kaleidoscope which their EP is set to exhibit.
‘Karmatose’ caught my attention with it’s harmonic funk hipped. jazzy hint of soulful Squeeze pop. In short, it’s lush - and a bold introduction to a wider public for a (lockdown formed and delightfully sounding so) band of vocalist musicians with a confident sound.
The Parasocials self-proclaim as “lo-fi indie jazz artist Tomer Krail, roguish punk-folk singer George Calne Jones, charming indie softboi Felix Slander and miracle drummer Rob James.
Their shambolic story so far is a frenzy of writing, with a discordant angular spectrum of grunge, post-punk lounge lizard tangents. Considering that their influences include Richard Dawson, Arctic Monkeys, John Coltrane, Theolonius Monk, Bob Dylan and Talking Heads it’s fair to say they’re in a genre of their own. (I’m gonna throw a tint of The Byrds in there, just because my ears).
Photo credit: Press.
“Karmatose delivers a fusion of new wave lo-fi jazz inflected pop tones, brimming with soul and funk elements arranged around flawless yet tantalising harmonies. A sparkling spaced-out rhythm brings a hint of new romanticism, as they reflect on a recent penchant for and overdose of Buddhist philosophical writings.” - Indeed, articulates it roundly. Also, coming from the capital’s Lower East Side it sounds like a tangented tune-charged product of South East London, the capital’s artbeat central.
Wait. Go back. “Buddhist philosophical writings?”… Arctic Monks?
Tomer explains, ‘Karmatose is when you’ve indulged in so much Buddhist theory that you can no longer react to the world or the actions of individuals towards you. You’ve been Karmatosed.’
Fair play. The Parasocials sound right up #TheZineUK doc’s situationist alley, musically yes, but we can additionally get behind this statement on their social media: “A ban on protest is a ban on the Parasocials, half our songs are about how the government totally sucks. Down with this fascist bill and down with the Tories!” #killthebill
Much of this doc’s story has taken place in #SELondon - Parasocials weave right into this tapestry. They even met at one of the local hostelries. It’s a friendly space so no harm in grabbing a quick interview…
#TheZineUK: The Birds Nest is as good a place as any to come together? Tell us more and if the musical and art heritage of SELondon filters into your creativity, along with the usual global aspects?
Tomer: “Well, I can’t speak for Felix but I myself grew up in grungy dive bars of the Birds Nest variety, these were the spaces that allowed creativity and the expression of less popular musical forms, plus they usually allowed baby faced young guitar players like myself to consume our first pints without asking to see ID…a crucial step along the path for any musician…”
Felix: “…They didn’t let me in…”
Tomer: “…You didn’t know any chords.”
#TheZineUK: Haha, luckily that has been resolved. With all your influences, you go beyond genres but how would you describe yourselves introductorily?
Felix: “I’ve personally tried concocting countless varieties of over-zealous cross-genres when trying to describe the band, but when you get to “post-punk-psych-millennial-funk-fuzz-folk-jazz-gaze-grunge-rock”, it’s probably easier just to say “Alt-Rock”. When we’re working on new material we have an anything goes attitude in terms of genre. As long as it’s good and fits our sound, we will play it. Except for Country Music, Tomer doesn’t like Country Music (I’ll sneak one through eventually).”
Tomer: “I quite like the term lo-fi rock, even though we’re actually trying really desperately for it to be hi-fi. And I’ll have you know I happen to like a bit of ol’ Hank Williams.”
#TheZineUK (hears distinct hi-fi potential when the band can get out to play again), but for now… “Lockdown has kept us all pretty local, hibernation aside, what have been positives for you?”
Felix: “I’ve enjoyed the socially acceptable level of obsession it has allowed. In normal times, if we spent this much time in our increasingly pungent studio, got as dramatically heated when arguing over songs and ate Japanese take-away for every core meal - it probably would have created some concern and most likely a few interventions. However, as there is fuck all else to do, it actually seems to be about the most productive thing we can do and as sane as anything else. So that’s pretty positive. I should shower more often though.”
Tomer: “Seconded”
! - and on that note, gonna say thank you very much to The Parasocials for the great tune and conversation (and very best wishes for the future with their cool’n’catchy sounds).
Parasocials play live: 30th July: Camden Rocks, headlining Fiddlers Elbow (FB Event)