Concert Review: Sundara Karma Are BBC’s Rising Artist At Gramercy Theatre

BBC Music Presents began its tour of UK’s rising musical acts in NYC yesterday. Their first stop was in Gramercy Theatre, where a crowd gathered to see what England defined as those promising to give the the world the best of British sound. The first act of the night was Sundara Karma.

In name alone the band feels like you are entering a temple of 80’s music and 70’s hallucinogenics. Sundara Karma means “beautiful karma “in Sanskrit, which was a notion that defined these eras has people analyzed the universality of human morality. Yet, Sundara Karma is not exactly about going to the depth of people’s moral choices as much as their musical ones. They have meshed the techno instrumentals of eighties with the illusory visions of the seventies to give audiences the blissful, music festival vibrations that made Woodstock an eternal inspiration for how music can peacefully and happily unite people. Thus, each song felt like you were entering a “trippy home” from these past era’s to analyze the lives of rebellious youth.

A Young Understanding

Sundara Karma is not coy about the fact that these eras have famed them in style and sound.  They may be Millennials, but they are rocking with the “Baby Boomers” in what they sonically define as musical rejuvenation. They came out in colorful shirts, femme blouses, tight jeans, long hair, and leather jackets. No I am not a “fashion reviewer”, but the point is that from entrance you know that this group has dedicated their music to these eras, and that is exactly what you will hear. Oscar Pollack is central as the lead singer with a Bowie-esque persona and playful stance. He strikes a pose with his guitar and blurs and coos his vocals, while the rest of the band dances with their instruments, like they were their dates to prom. Dom Cordell (bass) and Ally Baty (guitar) riff their strings and Ally Baty drums up his drums with the same candor of the 70’s/ 80’s, giving off that blaring blast of teen angst.

Back in the day, music was proud of its loud sonics and desire to in people’s their frustrations with life rather than their euphoric excitement. This is not to say that hearing their songs will cause your inner anarchist to “hulk out”, but at least he or she will have a musical companion for a bit. Playing songs of their newest EP Loveblood,  Sundara Karma created an hour set that was purely fun and transformative for those that enjoy 80’s techno blended with 70’s rock, and also like music that makes you dream of being young in different times rather than different places. With little to none banter. the band is simply their to play for you, and they played very well. For More Information On Sundara Karma And To Catch Them On The BBC Present Tour Click Click Here. 

Tour Dates-