(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Park-based psychedelic/progressive rock outfit Karmic Juggernaut has released a video detailing the mobile recording of their new original composition “Phantasmagloria”, recorded using only solar power outdoors. The production utilized the Sun Lab Studio rig devised by the group's drummer, Kevin Grossman, to capture a live performance of the song on location during the Summer 2020 coronavirus quarantine.
Released in time for both Halloween and the November US election, the song's lyrical content is an allegory for the idea that modern politics and media are akin to horror theatre that is both illusionary and repulsive. The story begins with a ritualistic invocation and ends with the protagonist (the listener) being initiated into a cult of personality, a parallel to today’s extremist politics and its alluring effect on ordinary citizens. Vocalist Daimon Santa Maria remarks on cult-like idol worship and propaganda in lines such as the song's first verse: “Feel the glory in your hands, invade and enthrone. A hero's rhetoric: television playing on and on.”
Filming used only a drone, band members' mobile phones, GoPro’s, and a single hand-held camera to limit the amount of people on location and follow social distancing guidelines. Video editing was completed by Grossman and guitarist James McCaffrey, while the latter performed mixing duties at the band's nearby studio, The Hangar.
“Our keyboardist, Jake, was getting deployed overseas at the end of the summer and we wanted to capture something before he left since all of our remaining shows were cancelled (due to the pandemic),” says McCaffrey. “And we felt that there was a timely message here we should get out, so we used what was available to make the best of the situation. Luckily my brother is a professional drone designer!”
Karmic Juggernaut has been performing since 2005, garnering international recognition and an Independent Music Award for their 2018 full-length The Dreams That Stuff Are Made Of. They are currently working on a follow-up full-length slated for release in Spring 2021.
The Sun Lab Studio has been making solar-powered mobile recordings since 2012, recording acts such as Consider the Source, Thank You Scientist, Gnarbot, Bent Knee, Homeless Apians, and several Apartment Sessions performances.
The video features Daimon Santa Maria – Vocals; Kevin Grossman – Drums; James McCaffrey – Guitar; Randy Preston – Guitar; Cody McCorry – Bass; Jake Hughes – Keys; Conor McCaffrey – Drone operation; and Jen Santa Maria – Handheld camera operation. It was filmed at Pat's 30 Acres in Wall Township, New Jersey.
