Interview With Karmen Field By Matt Bladen
MoM: Introduce yourselves/remind everyone who you guys are. Band name, members, style etc?
Karmen Field: Well hello there! We are Karmen Field, we’ve been a band together for 6 years or so now, based in South Wales. Featuring Joe Roper on drums, Will Byrd on Guitar, Lewis Goold on Bass and Molly McBreen on vocals. We’ve been likened to the musical sounds and relentless riffage of Tool, Alice In Chains and Jinjer. Our style is very much influenced by the grunge of the 90s and prog rock of the 00s with inspiration taken from blues and soul of the 60s.
MoM: How have the last year(s) been for the band? What have you been up too?
Karmen Field: Well lockdown was a real kick in the teeth! For all musicians and venues I’m certain. Our whole community was suffering hard. The 4 of us were lucky enough to be in a bubble so we could still rehearse and write together. We are still sitting on some recordings from pre lockdown and are waiting for the right time to release them upon the world. We have almost finished recording our first album at Northstone Studios with the incredible Jayce Lewis. It’s sounding huge and we are stoked to release it soon. Right now, we are so grateful to be gigging again.
MoM: What experience have you had with Bloodstock/M2TM in the past?
Karmen Field: Our drummer and bassist were in a tech metal band that entered M2TM the year that Hogslayer won the BOTB. They did well and they had a great time. They then went to Bloodstock that year and got to see Hogslayer perform on the Newblood stage. It’s all about the music and being in the moment with us lot, so Bloodstock is an incredible place to just be ourselves. We hope we win M2TM but we’ve all bought tickets just in case! Our singer Molly went to Bloodstock for the 1st time last year and witnessed the raw wild madness that is Bloodstock and the incredible people that attend. We cannot wait to be back there amongst our Kin.
MoM: How are you feeling entering the M2TM format back as it should be? Playing in front of a crowd again?Karmen Field: We absolutely love performing on stage and lockdown definitely enhanced this feeling and spiked our energy to get back out there. We always get a great response in Fuel and our last gig there as part of the Fundraiser for Ukraine was no exception.
MoM: What would it mean to you to play Bloodstock?
MoM: What would it mean to you to play Bloodstock?
Karmen Field: ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ...honestly the acknowledgement that we are good enough would make us all feel elated, relieved, excited, overcome with anticipation of the highest order! Our drummer has been going to Bloodstock for a decade, and marks it as the best festival on his calendar. So obviously, it would be a total dream come true!
MoM: Tell us two truths and one lie about the band?
Karmen Field:
Haha OK....
1. Our bass player has a black belt in kickboxing
2. All 4 of us have chundered out of the band wagon going down the motorway after a gig
3. We all absolutely love ABBA
MoM: Finally give us a four word rundown of what to expect?
MoM: Finally give us a four word rundown of what to expect?
Karmen Field: MONSTROUS RIFFS DIRTY GROOVES