Dharmata

DHARMATA is vocalist Jay Slim, guitarists Chris Turbo and Matt Nasty, bassist Kevin Sanchez, and drummer JC Lackey. DHARMATA formed in the summer of 2007, in West Palm Beach, Florida, after a chance meeting between vocalist Slim and bassist Sanchez. Since its inception, DHARMATA has quickly created a large, loyal, and growing fan base in the Florida music scene, garnering buzz for their ability to combine polished song craftsmanship with captivating high-energy live performances. A dynamic sound captures the collective best of each member's influences, a wide-ranging spectrum that includes everything from Pantera to Jeff Buckley. In their brief existence, DHARMATA has already shared stages with artists such as 10 Years, Skindred, Sick Puppies, and Nonpoint, and has been invited to participate in large music festivals such as SunFest, MoonFest, Crue Fest, and Buzz Bake Sale. In 2007, DHARMATA's very first song and recording, "The Fall," had an immediate impact at radio, with airplay on West Palm Beach's influential rock station, WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz. "The Fall," an apologetic homage to vocalist Jay Slim's previous band, nationally-recognized rock outfit Presence, showcases the emotionally palpable lyrics and soaring, powerful melodic hooks that have been seducing South Florida audiences. In 2009, popular British ragga-metal rockers Skindred stumbled across a live DHARMATA performance and asked DHARMATA to join them on a tour of the Midwestern United States. DHARMATA’s first tour outside of Florida proved fruitful, as they fetched massive merchandise sales and a brand new ravenous fan base in select Midwest cities. At the request of Madison, Wisconsin’s WJJO, DHARMATA performed live on-air to immediate rave reviews. In December 2009, Benji Webbe, lead vocalist of Skindred, spoke highly of DHARMATA in a live South Florida radio broadcast, calling the band “soon-to-be international rock stars.” DHARMATA completed sessions at Tony Bongiovi's Power Station Studios with producers Rob Roy and Joe Butera in late 2009. The single, “The Awakening,” garnered airplay on WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz as well as WHDR 93.1 (93 Rock) in Miami. DHARMATA is currently finishing up their debut full length album with producer Matt LaPlant and Benji Webbe (Skindred) at Beiler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida. In November 2011, the first single off the new album, “Do It Again,” was picked up as an official add at WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz with 14+ weekly spins during mid-day and evenings. In December 2011, due to a swell of positive feedback from listeners, WPBZ asked DHARMATA to headline a stage at the Buzz Bake Sale and was one of the most talked-about artists at the event, after playing to an audience of thousands. DHARMATA will release their debut album in early 2012, followed by relentless touring in support. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.