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Sundara Karma

British rock band From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sundara Karma were an English rock band formed in 2011 in Reading, Berkshire.[1] The band consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Oscar Pollock, lead guitarist Ally Baty, bassist Dom Cordell and drummer Haydn Evans.[2][3] The band's name is derived from Hindi words, meaning "Beautiful Karma".[4][5]

OriginReading, Berkshire, England
Years active
  • 2011 (2011)–2024 (2024)
LabelsIs Right Records, Chess Club/RCA
Quick facts Background information, Origin ...
Sundara Karma
Sundara Karma playing Hippodrome, Kingston Upon Thames in 2015
Sundara Karma playing Hippodrome, Kingston Upon Thames in 2015
Background information
OriginReading, Berkshire, England
GenresIndie pop, alternative rock, indie rock
Years active
  • 2011 (2011)–2024 (2024)
LabelsIs Right Records, Chess Club/RCA
Past members
  • Oscar Pollock
  • Dom Cordell
  • Ally Baty
  • Haydn Evans
Websitewww.sundarakarma.com
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History

2011–2016: Formation and early years

Sundara Karma was formed in 2011 when its members were teenagers attending secondary school.[6][7] In 2013, after uploading an early demo to SoundCloud, the band was offered the opportunity to be the opening support act for several prominent artists. [8][9] Over the next three years, the band embarked on extensive tours across the United Kingdom and Europe, while also releasing music that would later be included on their debut album, Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect.[10][11][12]

2017–2018: Youth is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect

In January 2017, Sundara Karma released their debut album titled Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect via Sony Music and Chess Club.[13][14] It peaked at number 24 on the UK Albums Chart and received Silver Certification from British Phonographic Industry.[15][16] In May 2017, they announced an upgrade to their debut album via social media, adding the tracks "Explore", "Lakhey", and "Another Word For Beautiful" to the original track listing.[17][18][19][20]

2019–2020: Ulfilas' Alphabet and Kill Me

On 1 March 2019, Sundara Karma released their second studio album, Ulfilas' Alphabet, under RCA Records. Ulfilas' Alphabet was produced by Stuart Price and Alex Robertshaw.[21] The album peaked at number 28 on the UK Albums Chart.[22] Ulfilas' Alphabet received positive reviews from The Guardian, NME, Dork , DIY and others.[21][23]

In May 2020, the band shared three singles titled "Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday", "Invade Safe Space" and "Vision Sick" via SoundCloud. These were unreleased songs from the recording of their 2019 album Ulfilas’ Alphabet.[24]

On 1 October 2020, Sundara Karma released their single "Kill Me" via Chess Club Records.[25]

On 24 October 2020, they released their EP "Kill Me" consisting of 5 songs, including the song of the same name released at the start of the month.

2021–2024: Oblivion!, Better Luck Next Time, and disbandment

On 17 September 2021, nearly a year after their fourth EP, the band premiered the single "Godsend". In February 2022, it was followed by the release of the title track off their fifth EP, Oblivion!. The EP was released on 1 April 2022.[26]

On 27 October 2023, the band released Better Luck Next Time, the group's first studio album in over four years. The album has been described as a "departure of sound compared to the electro-pop elements" present on Oblivion.[27] The album received positive reviews from DIY and Dork.[28][29] Better Luck Next Time peaked at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart, making it the band's first top 20 album in the UK.[30]

On 23 September 2024, the band announced that they would "step away from making music as Sundara Karma",[31] and the following day announced Live for the Last Time, a series of four farewell concerts.[32] The group disbanded following their final concert on 8 December 2024 at O2 Forum Kentish Town.[33]

Members

  • Oscar Pollock – vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar, piano, keyboard, synthesizer (2011–2024)
  • Dom Cordell – bass, backing vocals (2011–2024)
  • Ally Baty – guitar, keyboard, synthesizers, backing vocals (2011–2024)
  • Haydn Evans – drums (2011–2024)

Discography

Studio albums

More information Title, Details ...
List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[22]
Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect 24
Ulfilas' Alphabet
  • Released: 1 March 2019
  • Label: RCA
  • Format: CD, digital download, vinyl
28
Better Luck Next Time
  • Released: 27 October 2023[34]
  • Label: Is Right Records
  • Format: CDr, digital download, vinyl, cassette
-
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EPs

More information Title, Details ...
List of EPs, with selected details
Title Details
EP I
  • Released: 23 February 2015[35]
  • Format: 10", digital download
EP II
  • Released: 27 November 2015[36]
  • Format: 10", digital download
Loveblood
  • Released: 4 November 2016[37]
  • Format: 7", digital download
Kill Me
  • Released: 24 November 2020
  • Format: 10", digital download
Oblivion!
  • Released: 1 April 2022[26]
  • Format: Digital download
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Singles

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Certifications Album/EP
"Cold Heaven"[38] 2014 Non-album singles
"Indigo Puff"[39]
"Loveblood"[40] 2015 EP I
"Flame"[41] Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect
"Vivienne"[42] EP II
"A Young Understanding"[43] 2016 Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect
"She Said"[44]
"Olympia"[45]
"Happy Family"[46]
"Explore"[47] 2017 Non-album single
"Illusions"[48] 2018 Ulfilas’ Alphabet
"One Last Night on This Earth"[49]
"The Changeover"[50]
"Higher States"[51] 2019
"Little Smart Houses"[52]
"Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday"[24] 2020 Non-album singles
"Invade Safe Space"[24]
"Vision Sick"[24]
"Kill Me"[25] Kill Me
"Godsend" 2021 Oblivion!
"Oblivion!"[26] 2022
"All These Dreams"[53]
"Friends of Mine"[54] 2023 Better Luck Next Time
"Baby Blue"[55]
"Wishing Well"
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References

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