Stay Home Interviews: Black Market Karma, Ghost Dance Collective, Ghost Patterns, Josef Rosam

Part 5 of the Stay Home interviews, and Cameron Pettit of Fish Bowl Events talks to Stanley Belton of Black Market Karma, Ghost Dance Collective, Ghost Patterns and Josef Rasam, all of whom have contributed music to the 'Stay Home: Independent Artists Against Covid 19'  compilation in aid of NHS Charities, which you can listen to and buy from Bandcamp here.

Blackmarket Karma

Tell us a bit about the band:

I suppose a short summary would be that we’re a Psychedelic Rock n’ Roll outfit from London. At least that’s what people tell me. I get a lot of messages along the lines of “Your music is tailor made for Acid” To go a bit deeper, I’m pretty open to whatever influences turn me on at any time. I listen to a wide range of different music and don’t put a lot of restrictions on myself creatively and what I think the band’s sound can be. My only aim is to have some sort of through line that keeps it consistent. New but familiar if you will. It’s influenced by 60’s guitar & pop music and it has power but it’s not heavy. There’s a lot of drunken groove in there, vintage fuzz pedals, delays and reverbs. We’re not a retro throwback back band but it does lean towards an analogue sensibility. 

What has changed for you as a band during lockdown?

We were in the throes of moving to a new place so my recording gear has been in storage the entire time which has been like losing a psychic limb. I’ve found ways to keep creating though so it could be worse. We can’t rehearse and tour because of it and it’s also stalled the release of our next album so that’s been very frustrating for all of us. Aching to get things rolling again. 

Are there any tips that you can give to bands for the remainder of the lockdown, anything to help keep them sane, busy, productive etc.?

I would say as much as it’s tempting and often wonderful to vegetate on the sofa, try and keep some form of creation going, even if it’s not strictly music. Something to keep your brain & soul fed that isn’t vapid shit like reality telly.  I’ve been doing live streams using a loop pedal to accompany myself and play sets. That’s been rewarding. I’ve also been working on cover art for future releases, making videos, remixing songs, coming up with new stuff. Collaborating with people over the Internet. All things that prevent me from being bone idle and feeling like it’s another day wasted.

Can you recommend any artists that you’ve found during lockdown?

Check out Idi et Amin & Black Thumb. Both good people that make class music

Ghost Dance Collective

Tell us a bit about the band: 

​We’re an Edinburgh-based 4 piece called Ghost Dance Collective, we've been around since 2015 and are purveyors of the type of music that exists on the border between indie pop and psychedelia. We support the workers' struggle, regularly watch JFK, our favourite number is 32 and are all spoken for. We've got an album out, we're almost ready to release our second album (just finalising the artwork), and have begun the process of recording album 3.

What has changed for you as an artist during lockdown?

Well, the biggest impact has been that it's slowed everything right down as we've been unable to record or practice songs we've been working on, and we've certainly missed the buzz we get when we're all together. On the other hand, it's given us a chance to focus on writing new material, so hopefully when the restrictions are lifted we can get the creative juices flowing real quick.

Are there any tips that you can give to other artists for the remainder of the lockdown, anything to help keep them sane, busy, productive etc.?

Keep in touch and have a laugh with each other, practice the hell out of your instruments, grow a beard and read the beard.

Can you recommend any artists that you’ve found during lockdown? 

Ross has mostly been rediscovering some of the bands he listened to back in the day like Pavement, Veruca Salt, The Breeders, Lilys etc Liam has been listening to a lot of '50s/'60s/'70s jazz, dub and roots reggae, Delta and Chicago blues, late '60s psychedelia.

Ghost Patterns

Tell us a bit about the band:

We are are a London based psychedelic/ shoegaze band with members from the U.K. and Canada.

What has changed for you as a band during lockdown?

Nothing really in terms of being able to record and mix as we have always produced music in this way. We have not attempted to write any new stuff for fear of including ‘safe’ , ‘lockdown’ or ‘isolation‘ in song titles. We had a song title called  ‘Safe’ written before the pandemic, so  this will be released at some future date..

Are there any tips that you can give to bands for the remainder of the lockdown, anything to help keep them sane, busy, productive etc.?

Our only setback is not being able to access an acoustic drum kit. Hence virtual drums to the rescue! 

Can you recommend any artists that you’ve found during lockdown?

Sei Still, FACS, Tennis System

Josef Rasam

Tell us a bit about yourself:

My name is Josef Rosam and I come from and live in one of the many blackhole small towns in England so I make music to create other universes (I hope) much more interesting and I try to carry a piece of goodwill on my person wherever I go though I am not a perfect soul and have my own personal problems.

What has changed for you as an artist during lockdown?

Lock down has made me more lazy than I was before, but on the polar, I am now able to stew in my own juices a lot more than non lockdown days and I can focus on nature and feeling the planet without the blur that "normal" life creates.

Are there any tips that you can give to artists for the remainder of the lockdown, anything to help keep them sane, busy, productive etc.?

I would say let your pain, joy, boredom, fatigue, love, worry, doubt, excitation, energy, fear, happiness, sadness etc.. all your emotions, absorb into you, acknowledge these things no matter how "good" or "bad" and pour them into your art when you create and be truly honest about how you feel about these aspects in you life, you can't go wrong then...and also never pretend to be something you're not..that's not attractive.

Can you recommend any artists that you’ve found during lockdown?

I can recommend you listen to a band called wasted youth...my mate nick was in it in the late 70's early 80's..they were a really decent band from the east end of corrupt but homely London...he played synths and keyboard..also try persian floowers...he sang in that band..and of course listening to my of my music won't hurt. Be well and see you on the other side.