BetterCarma’s distinctive blend of electronica and organic instrumentation creates new fans – make that addicts – whenever it’s heard by new sets of ears. Employing synths, drum machines, real drums and percussion, electric guitars, electric bass and more, BetterCarma serves up a sound that’s bound to make you forget whatever’s in your CD player now.
BetterCarma is an American, electronic rock band from Baton Rouge, Louisiana formed in 2006 by Brad Van Oss and Courtney Chambers. The members have a long, friendly relationship due to their families living next door to one another. Courtney having played with Brad’s sister in her childhood and her cousin playing in Brad’s first band created a bond between the two that laid the foundation for their musical project. During the summer of 2006, Brad heard Courtney singing playful melodies while working
in her grandmother’s yard. This particular muggy, Louisiana afternoon Brad walked next door and asked Courtney if she was interested in doing some recordings. It was during these sessions that the band was formally realized upon discovering her raw talent
for the art.
Brad Van Oss is an experienced performer and songwriter. Brad began taking guitar lessons at the age of seven and continued his study of music during high school with jazz guitar, piano and vocal instruction. He formed his first original music band and began renting out venue’s for all ages shows at seventeen. Brad has been involved in the recording
of three full, length albums. As the singer/ songwriter of a heavy, alternative act the group gained regional success and was reviewed in his college newspaper as, “Jim Morrison meets Metallica”. Brad progressed as a performing songwriter and lead guitarist gaining national airplay with his song “Bleed” and performing at venues the likes of Voodoo Fest.
Courtney Chambers a.k.a. Better C is natural at songwriting and is an eager pupil for discovering the many facets of musical creation. Her musical background consists of skipping out on ‘Mary had a little lamb’ piano lessons for candy at the corner store. The need to play with Mozart intensity before learning the keyboard basics prevented further
study after a year of lessons but lends itself to her experimental writing style now. Most enthusiasm was derived from her 6th and seventh grade choir teacher. For two years she experimented in music pushing the limits of her voice, both soprano and alto soprano. More recently, she notes praise for her strong English background that helps focus her ideas to paper then to music.
In recording their debut release, the almost self-titled album ‘Better Karma’, the band took a do-it-yourself approach. While gathering recording equipment like farmers during
a harvest, the group took advantage of modern technology to produce a major label sound in their own environment. The group wrote the lyrics and music, engineered, and produced all in one comfort zone. The freedom from time constraints (normally inflicted by paid studio time) allowed the duo the ability to experiment and find unconventional and unique ways of combining synthetic and analog instruments. ‘Better Karma’ was released July 2nd with worldwide distribution. The Band is currently touring in support of the release while continuing to write and record.
Dimensions
Music is trans-dimensional. It transcends everyday reality yet has a strong root here. Thus it is that music is able – in the right hands – to connect with us humans then carry us off into deep realms of other realms. “Music takes us on a ride through every dimension,” says BetterCarma. At least such is the case when skilled musicians are the ones doing the manipulation of music’s power. And when BetterCarma channels the potency of music into its songs, interdimensional portals open in the minds of the listener and the journey begins.
Every Human Emotion
Another major factor in music’s effect on people is its ability – again, in the right hands – to manifest human emotion in a particularly keen way unique to this art form. “On this ride, we experience every human emotion.” Emotional manipulation is also a duty of any great artist and few other musicians can create the kind of emotional constructions witnessed in the music of BetterCarma.
The Love of Music
Life. People. Romance. Family. Sunrises and sunsets. A plethora of influences have been cited by a plethora of artists. But when it comes right down to it, there is one big thing that drives the creative process of BetterCarma. The sheer passion for music. “We’re inspired by the love of music.” Inspiration may come from all over but it’s that core love of music itself that takes the inspiration and turns it into songwriting – in the case of BetterCarma, great songwriting.
The Artist at Work
BetterCarma has been honored with a number of awards from www.garageband.com, including track of the day, best female vocals, best programming, best beat and more. “Better Karma,” the new album from BetterCarma, is in the works right now, with touring planned for the album’s support. The group is currently working with A&R Select, the hottest indie A&R firm in Hollywood, CA.
Review
“BetterCarma is a band that knows how to take elements of musical familiarity and create something startling and new. With some, this combination of flavors would be a Frankenstein’s monster. But BetterCarma’s expertise leads to the creation of aural beauty.” – A&R Select
They came here from afar, wrestling graciously to keep control of their minds. The paths, though very difficult and jagged, intersect at five roads. It is here the point of entry into the aura of BC--that very point where one decides to combine forces for a better world. The point where one realizes that love is the great healer. Now they implant the road traveled with loving seeds and grain. Hopes are born that they will be nourished as they will. And they will...
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