New striking stuff

2 November 2022

London’s psych mavericks BLACK MARKET KARMA launch their new longplayer, named FRIENDS IN NOISE on Friday the 13th of 2023. Pre-order info via Flower Power Records.

The album features collaborations between Black Market Karma and friends:
The Underground Youth, Les Big Byrd, Joakim Ahlund, Tess Parks, The Confederate Dead & Ruari Meehan.

The album’s artwork

Stanley Belton (BMK’s maestro): “Tess and I first met in 2014 when she reached out and sent a very kind message about my music. I dug what she was doing too so, upon her arrival to the UK, we met up and became friends, touring a fair bit together in the following years around Europe. During the downtime, we would often hang out at my studio. 

“I’d had the groove and music to this song floating around in my brain for a while, but had no lyrics or vocal part. I happened to play it one time we were at the studio together and I noticed Tess scribbling down lyrics. She started humming a melody to herself and I loved what she was doing so we went with it. I added in one more verse with an different vocal melody and a few lines at the end of the song and there it was.”

Tess Parks: “I guess this was written in 2014? 2015? While I was living in Dartford, a few
doors down from Stan. We had a few very nice sessions at Stan’s studio, where we pretty
much instantly wrote a few really cool songs. It’s been 8 years and the time has finally come!!! I’m excited to share this. This song seems to be a reflection on the weather at the time.”

TUTV: This collaboration is a perfect fit. The ghosts of the Velvet Underground float all around this jangling jam with the wonderful Tess Parks on vocals instead of Nico. I actually love Parks‘ enigmatic voice more than Nico‘s hoarse, nicotine-infused one. It’s back to the future with these psych experts and their wonderful friend in noise. Hypnotic stroke.

Press play here…

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TESS PARKS: Facebook –