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{{Infobox musical artist
'''Karma County''' is an [[Australia]]n music group.
| name = Karma County
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| caption =
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| genre = {{hlist|[[Country music|Country]]|pop}}
| years_active = {{start date|1995}}–present
| label = {{hlist|TWA|WEA/Warner|Littoral|[[Vitamin Records|Vitamin]]}}
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|karmacounty.com.au}}
| current_members = {{unbulleted list|Stuart Eadie|Michael Galeazzi|Brendan Gallagher}}
| past_members =
}}


'''Karma County'''<!-- Note: some sources erroneously have Karma Country --> are an Australian country, pop music trio which formed in 1995. They comprise Stuart Eadie on drums, percussion and backing vocals; Michael Galeazzi on bass guitar, [[double bass]] and backing vocals; and Brendan Gallagher<!-- not the Canadian hockey player --> on lead guitar, lead vocals, keyboards, [[bouzouki]], percussion, drums and bass guitar. They have released five studio albums, ''Last Stop Heavenly Heights'' (1996), ''Olana'' (March 1998), ''[[Into the Land of Promise]]'' (September 1999), ''Happy Birthday Dear Customer'' (November 2001) and ''Pacifico'' (August 2004). At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2000]], ''[[Into the Land of Promise]]'' won the [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album]].
When Karma County first arrived on the music scene in [[1995]], the Australian music scene was still in the grip of the [[Seattle Sound]]. They walked on to the stages in [[Sydney]] with an acoustic guitar, a double bass, a snare drum, a box of percussion and a voice. Since then, they have waltzed their way into the hearts and minds of music fans all over the world.


== History ==
From the acoustic strummings of "Postcard" to "The Men Who Ran Away From The Circus" they have ranged across an eclectic music terrain to conjure their own sonic landscape - lush, melodious, intelligent, emotive songs and sounds.
===1995–1998: ''Last Stop Heavenly Heights'' and ''Olana''===
Karma County were formed in 1995 in Sydney as a country, pop music project by Brendan Gallagher on lead guitar and lead vocals (ex-the Leisuremasters).<ref name="McFarlane"/> Gallagher, as Karma County, released a single, "She Never Loved You", which was co-written by him with the Leisuremasters bass guitarist, Brett Jackson.<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | author1 = McFarlane, Ian | authorlink1 = Ian McFarlane | others = Jenkins, Jeff (Foreword) | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop|The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'Karma County' | date = 2017 | location = [[Gisborne, Victoria|Gisborne, VIC]] | publisher = Third Stone Press | edition = 2nd | page = 254 | isbn = 978-0-9953856-0-3 }}</ref><ref name="APRA Never">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) &#124; [[Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society]] (AMCOS) | title = 'She Never Loved You' at APRA search engine | url = http://apraamcos.com.au/search?searchtype=works&keywords=she+never+loved+you | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }} Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' &/or 'Performer:'</ref> That group had also included Damon Davies on guitar and vocals; and Liz Smith on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/> They performed, "a mix of American-influenced roots music (New Orleans R&B, Tex Mex, Cajun, jazz) and British-styled pop."<ref name="McFarlane"/> The Leisuremasters released two extended plays, ''Unhappy Hour'' (December 1992) and ''Water Moves'' (May 1994), before disbanding.<ref name="McFarlane"/>


By October 1995 Gallagher was joined in Karma County by Stuart Eadie on drums, percussion and backing vocals (ex-[[The Clouds (Australian band)|the Clouds]], [[Died Pretty]], [[the Whitlams]]) and Michael Galeazzi on double bass, bass guitar and backing vocals (ex-Brookes).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren">Related entries at the [[Australian Rock Database]]:
Their artistic independence has helped them maintain their edge through raw talent and a hands-on approach to the music business. Drummer Stuart Eadie creates and co-ordinates the band's visual imagery (album sleeves, t-shirts, web design, adverts), singer/guitarist Brendan Gallagher produces the music while bassist Michael Galeazzi (a.k.a. Mr Enthusiasm), rings them all up, and anybody else who will listen, and tells them what legends they are.
* Karma County: {{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805194857/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/k/karmacounty.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/k/karmacounty.html | work = hem2.passagen.se | title = Karma County | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archivedate = 5 August 2011 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}
* The Clouds: {{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805195112/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/c/clouds.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/c/clouds.html | work = hem2.passagen.se | title = Clouds | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | first2 = Brendan C | last2 = Jones | archivedate = 5 August 2011 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}
* Died Pretty: {{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805093636/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/d/diedpretty.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/d/diedpretty.html | work = hem2.passagen.se | title = Died Pretty | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archivedate = 5 August 2011 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}
* The Whitlams: {{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805132140/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/enwiki/w/whitlams.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/enwiki/w/whitlams.html | work = hem2.passagen.se | title = The Whitlams | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archivedate = 5 August 2011 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}
* Jimmy Little: {{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130930074810/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/l/littlejimmy.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/l/littlejimmy.html | work = hem2.passagen.se | title = Jimmy Little | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archivedate = 30 September 2013 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> Australian musicologist, [[Ian McFarlane]], described their sound, "a diverse musical palette, taking in country-tinged Oz rock, pop, blues and jazz with strong, varied songs, crooning vocals, lap steel, and unusual instrumentation (such as bouzouki, violin and cello)."<ref name="McFarlane"/>


The group's debut album, ''Last Stop Heavenly Heights'' was released in 1996 with the associated single, "Postcard".<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="NLA Last">{{citation | author1 = Karma County | title = Last Stop Heavenly Heights | date = 1996 | publisher = TWA Records | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9248356?q=%22Karma+County%22&sortby=dateAsc&c=music&sort=holdings+desc&_=1566628564809&versionId=38889378 | accessdate=24 August 2019 | quote = Performer: Michael Galeazzi – double bass, b/vocal; Stuart Eadie – drums/percussion, b/vocal; Brendan Gallagher – vocal, guitars, keyboards, bouzouki, percussion, add/drums, bass }}</ref> The album was co-produced by Gallagher with Sean Kennedy, Keith Walker, Jeremy Allom and [[Phil McKellar]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Iain Clacher of ''Green Left Weekly'' observed, "a striking debut CD for Sydney band Karma County, a strange bar-band which seems to inhabit its very own original space in Australian music... [their] appeal revolves around its ability masterfully to grip hold of disparate styles... [with] a kind of soft-edged mellow tinge to [the album], which helps blend together all the sources and inspirations into a seamless and gratifying whole."<ref name="Clacher">{{cite web | url = https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/good-karma | title = Good karma | last = Clacher | first = Iain | work = [[Green Left Weekly]] | date = 18 June 1997 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}</ref>
In early [[1999]] the band signed a deal with Melody Management and [[Universal]] publishing. In the same year their third album, "Into The Land Of Promise" was released on license through [[Warner Music]]. This album yielded two singles "Secret Country" and "The Men Who Ran Away From The Circus". Both singles gained airplay on Triple J and other ABC radio stations nationally.


''Olana'', their second album, was released in March 1998 with co-production by Allom, Gallagher and Kennedy, as well as Don Bartley, Adrian Grigorieff and Dave Rashleigh.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="NLA Olana">{{citation | author1 = Karma County | title = Olana | date = 1998 | publisher = TWA Records | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/28707998 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}</ref> It was followed in the next month by the related single, "Told You So". McFarlane felt, "[both] were stronger efforts."<ref name="McFarlane"/> They supported gigs by international act, [[Michelle Shocked]], in April on an Australia tour.<ref name="McFarlane"/> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1998]] ''Olana'' was nominated for the [[ARIA Award for Best Independent Release]].<ref name="ARIA1998">{{cite web | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1998 | title = ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1998: 12th Annual ARIA Awards | publisher = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) | accessdate = 24 August 2019 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927121049/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1998 | archivedate = 27 September 2011 }}</ref> The album provided two more singles, "Good Things Come to Me Now" and "This Is not the Real World".<ref name="McFarlane"/> Bruce Reid<!-- not the cricketer --> had joined as an auxiliary member on [[lap steel guitar]], in July, for performances and recording sessions.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Macgregor">{{cite web | url = https://www.allmusic.com/artist/karma-county-mn0001915967/biography | title = Karma County &#124; Biography & History | last = Macgregor | first = Jody | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | date = | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}</ref>
"Into The Land Of Promise" took out the Year 2000 ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album making it two in a row for Brendan Gallagher who produced the 1999 winner, Jimmy Little's 'Messenger' album.

===1999–2000: ''Into the Land of Promise''===
In early 1999 the band signed a deal with Melody Management and [[Universal Music Group]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Macgregor"/> In September of that year their third album, ''[[Into the Land of Promise]]'', was released via [[Warner Music Australasia]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Macgregor"/><ref name="NLA Into the Land">{{citation | author1 = Karma County | title = Into the Land of Promise | date = 1999 | publisher = [[Warner Music Australasia|Warner Music Australia]] | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9290931 | accessdate = 24 August 2019 }}</ref> It was produced and recorded by Gallagher with [[Tim Whitten]]. McFarlane noticed it was, "a subtle blend of roots music, soulful ballads and country-flavoured pop, the album was the band's strongest release to date."<ref name="McFarlane"/> It yielded two singles "Secret Country", featuring [[Jimmy Little]] and "The Men Who Ran Away from the Circus".<ref name="McFarlane"/> Both gained airplay on national youth radio, [[Triple J]]. At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2000]], ''Into the Land of Promise'', won the [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album]].<ref name="ARIA2000">{{cite web | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2000 | title = ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2000 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | accessdate = 24 August 2019 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235639/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2000 | archivedate = 26 September 2007 }}</ref> Gallagher had also produced the 1999 winner, Jimmy Little's album, ''[[Messenger (Jimmy Little album)|Jimmy Little]]'', which had been recorded with Karma County as the studio band.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="ARIA1999">{{cite web | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1999 | title = ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1999 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | accessdate = 24 August 2019 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110519015907/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1999 | archivedate = 19 May 2011 }}</ref>
Karma County toured all over from [[Cairns]] to [[Albany, Western Australia|Albany]] and beyond before going on a seven week tour of [[Europe]], [[UK]] and [[North America]] in [[July 2000]]. Tour highlights included performances at WOMAD festivals in [[Hanover]], [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] and [[Seattle]], opening the Australian Film Festival in [[Rome]] and guesting with [[Jimmy Little]] at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in [[London]].
In mid-2000 Karma County toured Australia from [[Cairns]] to [[Albany, Western Australia|Albany]] before undertaking a seven-week tour of continental Europe, United Kingdom and North America, from July.<ref name="AMO Bio">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20070901133012/http://www.amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=1555 | url = http://www.amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=1555 | title = Karma County | work = [[Australian Music Online]] | via = [[National Library of Australia]] | archivedate = 1 September 2007 | accessdate = 25 August 2019 }}</ref> Performances included appearances at [[WOMAD]] festivals in [[Hanover]], [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] and [[Seattle]]; opening the Australian Film Festival in [[Rome]] and guesting, with Jimmy Little, at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.<ref name="AMO Bio"/>

===2001–2000: ''Happy Birthday Dear Customer'' and ''Pacifico''===
In 2001 the band completed a four state tour promoting, "Where Could I Go but Home", the lead single ahead of their fourth album, ''Happy Birthday Dear Customer'' which was released in November 2001.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="AMO Bio"/> It was produced by Whitten and released via [[Shock Records]].<ref name="Holmgren"/> The album's title refers to a birthday cake for Eadie at a Japanese food restaurant in Toronto – where the staff did not know his name.<ref name="Macgregor"/> After a tour with auxiliary members, Lindsay Page on piano and Cameron Bruce<!-- not the footballer --> on keyboards, they formed the backing band for a [[Carole King]] Tribute show, ''Tapestry'', using vocals by [[Jenny Morris (musician)|Jenny Morris]], [[Vika & Linda]] Bull, and [[Jodi Phillis]]. With Galeazzi as [[musical director]], the show played theatres in state capital cities, during September 2001. Karma County then toured with auxiliary members Reid and Bruce, adding Lachlan Doley on keyboards, into early 2002. Subsequently they resumed working as a trio.

In August 2004 Karma County released their fifth studio album, ''Pacifico'', including the track, "Dexter & Sinistra" – a song and related music video – recorded with Australian actor, [[Bryan Brown]], providing spoken vocals.<ref name="Dwyer">{{cite web | url = https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/karma-drama-20041105-gdyxis.html | title = Karma Drama | last = Dwyer | first = Michael | work = [[The Age]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | date = 5 November 2004 | accessdate = 25 August 2019 }}</ref> Brown summarised Gallagher's instructions, "You want me to say this just like I'm tellin' a story, right?"<ref name="Dwyer"/> According to ''[[The Age]]''{{'}}s Michael Dwyer, "Combined with Karma County's coastal spaghetti-western atmosphere and one of Gallagher's cooler guitar riffs, the track became a highlight of the Sydney trio's new album."<ref name="Dwyer"/> The album re-united the band with recording engineer, Whitten and mixer, Allom, on the independent label, Littoral Records. They toured Australian capital cities and some regional centres.

After 2004 they played occasional festival and corporate shows while recording little new material and mostly re-visiting their back catalogue.

In October 2008 they issued a 36-track double compilation album, ''Headland'', through [[Vitamin Records]].<ref name="NLA Headland">{{citation | author1 = Karma County | title = Headland | date = 2008 | publisher = Distributed by [[Vitamin Records]] | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/28428095 | accessdate = 25 August 2019 | quote = Summary: ''Headland'' is a must have collection of 36 tracks across 2 discs with songs from all 5 albums including 2000 ARIA winner ''Into the Land of Promise''. Plus previously unreleased tracks and live performances – remixed, revisited and remastered... Performer: Karma County: Michael Galeazzi, electric & double bass, backing vocals; Brendan Gallagher, vocal, electric & acoustic guitars, keyboards, bouzouki, percussion; Stuart Eadie, drums, percussion, programming. }}</ref> It has two new tracks, and uses tracks re-mixed and re-mastered from each of their five studio albums, live tracks and some rarities.<ref name="NLA Headland"/> They undertook a brief east coast Australian tour. Karma County play occasional gigs – the latest, as from August 2019, was in March 2017 at [[Port Fairy]].<ref name="Official Website">{{cite web | url = https://www.karmacounty.com.au/shows | title = Karma County – Shows | work = Karma County Official Website | accessdate = 15 August 2019 }}</ref> The original members pursue solo ventures – Galeazzi with the Java Quartet and music education; Eadie with a graphics business and drum duties with various bands in Byron Bay, including occasional Uke Nights; and Gallagher with his solo career and music production.

== Members ==
* Stuart Eadie&nbsp;– drums, percussion, backing vocals, programming
* Michael Galeazzi&nbsp;– electric bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals
* Brendan Gallagher&nbsp;– lead vocals, guitars (electric, acoustic), keyboards, [[bouzouki]], percussion, drums

;Auxiliary members
* Bruce Reid&nbsp;– [[lap steel guitar]], guitar
* Lindsay Page&nbsp;– piano
* Cameron Bruce&nbsp;– keyboards
* Lachlan Doley&nbsp;– keyboards

== Discography ==
===Albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of studio albums and Australian chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart<br />positions
|- style=font-size:smaller;
! style="width:45px;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref>{{cite Ryan|page=150}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''Last Stop Heavenly Heights''
|
* Released: 1996
* Label: Laughing Boy
* Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]]
| —
|-
! scope="row"| ''Olana''
|
* Released: March 1998
* Label: TWA (TWAD447)
* Formats: CD
| —
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Into the Land of Promise]]''
|
* Released: September 1999
* Label: [[Warner Music Australasia]] (3984295112)
* Formats: CD
| 96
|-
! scope="row"| ''Happy Birthday Dear Customer''
|
* Released: November 2001
* Label: Karma County Studios (KCP008)
* Formats: CD
| —
|-
! scope="row"| ''Pacifico''
|
* Released: August 2004
* Label: Vitamin (LIT001)
* Formats: CD
| —
|}

=== Compilations ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of Compilations albums
! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Album details
|-
! scope="row"| ''This Tin Stardom''
|
* Released: 2000<ref name="NLA This Tin">{{citation | author1 = Karma County | title = This Tin Stardom | date = 2000 | publisher = Independent | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9290853 | accessdate = 25 August 2019 }}</ref>
* Label: Karma Country (TND 204)
* Formats: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''Headland''
|
* Released: October 2008<ref name="NLA This Tin">{{citation | author1 = Karma County | title = This Tin Stardom | date = 2000 | publisher = Independent | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9290853 | accessdate = 25 August 2019 }}</ref>
* Label: Vitamin Records (kc009)
* Formats: 2xCD, Digital download
|}

==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [[Australian music]]. The Killjoys won 1 award from 2 nominations.

{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1998|1998]]
| ''Olana''
| [[ARIA Award for Best Independent Release|Independent Release]]
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="ARIA1998"/>
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2000|2000]]
| ''Into the Land of Promise''
| [[ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album|Best Adult Contemporary Album]]
| {{won}}
| <ref name="ARIA2000"/>
|-
{{end}}

== References ==


{{Reflist}}
In 2001 the Band re-ignited their strong fan base with a four state tour showcasing new material including "Where Could I Go But Home" the first single released from their new album. Then shortly after on the "Happy Birthday Dear Customer" album tour.
Karma County, with guests Lindsay Page on Piano and Cameron Bruce on keys were the backing band for a [[Carol King]] Tribute show, Tapestry, featuring the vocal talents of Jenny Morris, Vika and Linda Bull and Jodi Phillis. With Michael Galeazzi (bassist) as musical director, the show played packed concert Halls in [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]], [[Melbourne]], [[Sydney]] and [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] during Early [[September 2001]], receiving rave reviews.


==External links==
Karma County have often toured with associate members such as Bruce Reid on lap steel and guitar, Lachlan Doley on Keys and Cameron Bruce on Keys, Vocals and smart - arsed cheek. As of late, they have resigned to keeping the band as a trio.


* {{Official website|karmacounty.com.au/}}
In [[August 2004]] the band released a 12 track album, Pacifico, on the independent label, [http://www.littoralrecords.com Littoral Records].


{{Authority control}}
== External Links ==
*[http://www.karmacounty.com.au/ Karma County's website]


[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]]
[[Category:Australian musical groups]]
[[Category:New South Wales musical groups]]

Latest revision as of 08:42, 7 June 2024

Karma County
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active1995 (1995)–present
Labels
Members
  • Stuart Eadie
  • Michael Galeazzi
  • Brendan Gallagher
Websitekarmacounty.com.au

Karma County are an Australian country, pop music trio which formed in 1995. They comprise Stuart Eadie on drums, percussion and backing vocals; Michael Galeazzi on bass guitar, double bass and backing vocals; and Brendan Gallagher on lead guitar, lead vocals, keyboards, bouzouki, percussion, drums and bass guitar. They have released five studio albums, Last Stop Heavenly Heights (1996), Olana (March 1998), Into the Land of Promise (September 1999), Happy Birthday Dear Customer (November 2001) and Pacifico (August 2004). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2000, Into the Land of Promise won the ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.

History

[edit]

1995–1998: Last Stop Heavenly Heights and Olana

[edit]

Karma County were formed in 1995 in Sydney as a country, pop music project by Brendan Gallagher on lead guitar and lead vocals (ex-the Leisuremasters).[1] Gallagher, as Karma County, released a single, "She Never Loved You", which was co-written by him with the Leisuremasters bass guitarist, Brett Jackson.[1][2] That group had also included Damon Davies on guitar and vocals; and Liz Smith on drums.[1] They performed, "a mix of American-influenced roots music (New Orleans R&B, Tex Mex, Cajun, jazz) and British-styled pop."[1] The Leisuremasters released two extended plays, Unhappy Hour (December 1992) and Water Moves (May 1994), before disbanding.[1]

By October 1995 Gallagher was joined in Karma County by Stuart Eadie on drums, percussion and backing vocals (ex-the Clouds, Died Pretty, the Whitlams) and Michael Galeazzi on double bass, bass guitar and backing vocals (ex-Brookes).[1][3] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described their sound, "a diverse musical palette, taking in country-tinged Oz rock, pop, blues and jazz with strong, varied songs, crooning vocals, lap steel, and unusual instrumentation (such as bouzouki, violin and cello)."[1]

The group's debut album, Last Stop Heavenly Heights was released in 1996 with the associated single, "Postcard".[1][3][4] The album was co-produced by Gallagher with Sean Kennedy, Keith Walker, Jeremy Allom and Phil McKellar.[1][3] Iain Clacher of Green Left Weekly observed, "a striking debut CD for Sydney band Karma County, a strange bar-band which seems to inhabit its very own original space in Australian music... [their] appeal revolves around its ability masterfully to grip hold of disparate styles... [with] a kind of soft-edged mellow tinge to [the album], which helps blend together all the sources and inspirations into a seamless and gratifying whole."[5]

Olana, their second album, was released in March 1998 with co-production by Allom, Gallagher and Kennedy, as well as Don Bartley, Adrian Grigorieff and Dave Rashleigh.[1][3][6] It was followed in the next month by the related single, "Told You So". McFarlane felt, "[both] were stronger efforts."[1] They supported gigs by international act, Michelle Shocked, in April on an Australia tour.[1] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1998 Olana was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Independent Release.[7] The album provided two more singles, "Good Things Come to Me Now" and "This Is not the Real World".[1] Bruce Reid had joined as an auxiliary member on lap steel guitar, in July, for performances and recording sessions.[1][8]

1999–2000: Into the Land of Promise

[edit]

In early 1999 the band signed a deal with Melody Management and Universal Music Group.[1][8] In September of that year their third album, Into the Land of Promise, was released via Warner Music Australasia.[1][8][9] It was produced and recorded by Gallagher with Tim Whitten. McFarlane noticed it was, "a subtle blend of roots music, soulful ballads and country-flavoured pop, the album was the band's strongest release to date."[1] It yielded two singles "Secret Country", featuring Jimmy Little and "The Men Who Ran Away from the Circus".[1] Both gained airplay on national youth radio, Triple J. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2000, Into the Land of Promise, won the ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.[10] Gallagher had also produced the 1999 winner, Jimmy Little's album, Jimmy Little, which had been recorded with Karma County as the studio band.[1][3][11]

In mid-2000 Karma County toured Australia from Cairns to Albany before undertaking a seven-week tour of continental Europe, United Kingdom and North America, from July.[12] Performances included appearances at WOMAD festivals in Hanover, Reading and Seattle; opening the Australian Film Festival in Rome and guesting, with Jimmy Little, at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.[12]

2001–2000: Happy Birthday Dear Customer and Pacifico

[edit]

In 2001 the band completed a four state tour promoting, "Where Could I Go but Home", the lead single ahead of their fourth album, Happy Birthday Dear Customer which was released in November 2001.[1][3][12] It was produced by Whitten and released via Shock Records.[3] The album's title refers to a birthday cake for Eadie at a Japanese food restaurant in Toronto – where the staff did not know his name.[8] After a tour with auxiliary members, Lindsay Page on piano and Cameron Bruce on keyboards, they formed the backing band for a Carole King Tribute show, Tapestry, using vocals by Jenny Morris, Vika & Linda Bull, and Jodi Phillis. With Galeazzi as musical director, the show played theatres in state capital cities, during September 2001. Karma County then toured with auxiliary members Reid and Bruce, adding Lachlan Doley on keyboards, into early 2002. Subsequently they resumed working as a trio.

In August 2004 Karma County released their fifth studio album, Pacifico, including the track, "Dexter & Sinistra" – a song and related music video – recorded with Australian actor, Bryan Brown, providing spoken vocals.[13] Brown summarised Gallagher's instructions, "You want me to say this just like I'm tellin' a story, right?"[13] According to The Age's Michael Dwyer, "Combined with Karma County's coastal spaghetti-western atmosphere and one of Gallagher's cooler guitar riffs, the track became a highlight of the Sydney trio's new album."[13] The album re-united the band with recording engineer, Whitten and mixer, Allom, on the independent label, Littoral Records. They toured Australian capital cities and some regional centres.

After 2004 they played occasional festival and corporate shows while recording little new material and mostly re-visiting their back catalogue.

In October 2008 they issued a 36-track double compilation album, Headland, through Vitamin Records.[14] It has two new tracks, and uses tracks re-mixed and re-mastered from each of their five studio albums, live tracks and some rarities.[14] They undertook a brief east coast Australian tour. Karma County play occasional gigs – the latest, as from August 2019, was in March 2017 at Port Fairy.[15] The original members pursue solo ventures – Galeazzi with the Java Quartet and music education; Eadie with a graphics business and drum duties with various bands in Byron Bay, including occasional Uke Nights; and Gallagher with his solo career and music production.

Members

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  • Stuart Eadie – drums, percussion, backing vocals, programming
  • Michael Galeazzi – electric bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals
  • Brendan Gallagher – lead vocals, guitars (electric, acoustic), keyboards, bouzouki, percussion, drums
Auxiliary members
  • Bruce Reid – lap steel guitar, guitar
  • Lindsay Page – piano
  • Cameron Bruce – keyboards
  • Lachlan Doley – keyboards

Discography

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Albums

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List of studio albums and Australian chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[16]
Last Stop Heavenly Heights
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Laughing Boy
  • Formats: CD
 —
Olana
  • Released: March 1998
  • Label: TWA (TWAD447)
  • Formats: CD
 —
Into the Land of Promise 96
Happy Birthday Dear Customer
  • Released: November 2001
  • Label: Karma County Studios (KCP008)
  • Formats: CD
 —
Pacifico
  • Released: August 2004
  • Label: Vitamin (LIT001)
  • Formats: CD
 —

Compilations

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List of Compilations albums
Title Album details
This Tin Stardom
  • Released: 2000[17]
  • Label: Karma Country (TND 204)
  • Formats: CD
Headland
  • Released: October 2008[17]
  • Label: Vitamin Records (kc009)
  • Formats: 2xCD, Digital download

Awards and nominations

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ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. The Killjoys won 1 award from 2 nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1998 Olana Independent Release Nominated [7]
2000 Into the Land of Promise Best Adult Contemporary Album Won [10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t McFarlane, Ian (2017). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Karma County'". The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Jenkins, Jeff (Foreword) (2nd ed.). Gisborne, VIC: Third Stone Press. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-9953856-0-3.
  2. ^ "'She Never Loved You' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 24 August 2019. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' &/or 'Performer:'
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Related entries at the Australian Rock Database:
    • Karma County: Holmgren, Magnus. "Karma County". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
    • The Clouds: Holmgren, Magnus; Jones, Brendan C. "Clouds". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
    • Died Pretty: Holmgren, Magnus. "Died Pretty". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
    • The Whitlams: Holmgren, Magnus. "The Whitlams". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
    • Jimmy Little: Holmgren, Magnus. "Jimmy Little". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  4. ^ Karma County (1996), Last Stop Heavenly Heights, TWA Records, retrieved 24 August 2019, Performer: Michael Galeazzi – double bass, b/vocal; Stuart Eadie – drums/percussion, b/vocal; Brendan Gallagher – vocal, guitars, keyboards, bouzouki, percussion, add/drums, bass
  5. ^ Clacher, Iain (18 June 1997). "Good karma". Green Left Weekly. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  6. ^ Karma County (1998), Olana, TWA Records, retrieved 24 August 2019
  7. ^ a b "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1998: 12th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d Macgregor, Jody. "Karma County | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  9. ^ Karma County (1999), Into the Land of Promise, Warner Music Australia, retrieved 24 August 2019
  10. ^ a b "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2000". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  11. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "Karma County". Australian Music Online. Archived from the original on 1 September 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ a b c Dwyer, Michael (5 November 2004). "Karma Drama". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  14. ^ a b Karma County (2008), Headland, Distributed by Vitamin Records, retrieved 25 August 2019, Summary: Headland is a must have collection of 36 tracks across 2 discs with songs from all 5 albums including 2000 ARIA winner Into the Land of Promise. Plus previously unreleased tracks and live performances – remixed, revisited and remastered... Performer: Karma County: Michael Galeazzi, electric & double bass, backing vocals; Brendan Gallagher, vocal, electric & acoustic guitars, keyboards, bouzouki, percussion; Stuart Eadie, drums, percussion, programming.
  15. ^ "Karma County – Shows". Karma County Official Website. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  16. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 150.
  17. ^ a b Karma County (2000), This Tin Stardom, Independent, retrieved 25 August 2019
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