Karnivool

By Cara Williams
9 January 2007

Western Australia’s alternative offering Karnivool exploded into the Australian music scene in 2005 with the release of their album Themata. Currently in the process of writing material for their follow up album, Karnivool have recently signed a record deal with US label Bieler Bros. records and are getting prepared to play a range of shows over the New Year period, including Phillip Island’s massive Pyramid Rock Festival, the Palace in Melbourne and Beats on the Beach in New South Wales.

When Karnivool recently played a gig in Sydney, lead vocalist Ian Kenny got quite a surprise when meeting fans after the show. “We met this cat in Sydney and he got the Karnivool logo tattooed from his armpit down to his hip in 5 inch lettering. It was massive! It took up his whole side.” “I don’t know how to roll with that one. When you see that on someone’s body you’re like ‘hey man, that’s not going away’. After the release of their album ‘Themata’, Karnivool have found themselves with a massive following. Touring extensively with Sydney rockers Cog helped to introduce Karnivool to a league of fans that were waiting in anticipation for a new breed of alternative talent to emerge. And the reaction was just as expected. Fans were more than impressed with the heavy rockers, and warmed to them fast. “it’s awesome to display that much enthusiasm and passion for something that we are a part of. It seems crazy at the best of times”. Ian laughs. After recently completing a series of shows around the country, Karnivool’s reputation of an epic live act spread fast. The band are now eagerly awaiting the summer festival circuit, where they will be touring around the country in December and into the New Year, playing at the Pyramid Rock Festival in Phillip Island on December 30th, the Palace on New Years Eve, and Beats on the Beach in New South Wales on New Years Day. “I think Karnivool really enjoys the festival circuit so we are really looking forward to it. It’s gonna be a hell of a party!” In August this year Karnivool signed a licensing deal with US record label Bieler Bros Records, a deal that ensures Themata will be released over in the UK, Japan, North America and Mexico early 2007. “We took time negotiating this contract, because it bounced back and forth for a number of months until everyone was on the same page and everyone was happy with what the deal was”. Ian explains. “The label themselves are a developing label so they get behind their bands and have a really strong interest in their artists. We’re stoked about what is about to come up!” After the success of Themata, an album that took the boys almost three years to write, Karnivool are currently in the process of writing material for their next album. “We don’t intend on this second record taking nearly as long as the first. I guess the debut for us was an ice break so we did take a lot of time with it, but this one doesn’t seem like as much of a task”. “I think we have a bit more of an idea of what the band is becoming” Ian continues, “The clearer that is the easier it is to make it a reality”. For more info on tour dates check out Karnivool’s myspace: http://www.myspace.com/karnivool