"Dharmata"
"Dharmata"
DHARMATA is vocalist Jay Slim, guitarists Chris Proano and Matt Sheridan, 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, Filter, 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 continued to build a rabid fan base in South Florida throughout 2010, and in 2011, they entered the studio once again to begin tracking their debut full length album, engineered by Matt LaPlant and co-produced by DHARMATA and Benji Webbe (Skindred) at Beiler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida.
DHARMATA took a quick break from tracking in May 2011 with a front and center performance playing SunFest, alongside artists such as Cee-Lo Green, Jason Mraz, Jeff Beck, Neon Trees, and Anberlin. Following this performance, DHARMATA was voted in as the second favorite SunFest performer by readers of the Palm Beach Pulse, receiving more votes than any of the top-selling headliners.
As they put the final touches on their debut album, the strong buzz about DHARMATA in the South Florida area continued to swell. In November 2011, WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz took notice and the first single off the new album, “Do It Again,” was picked up as an official add at WPBZ with 14+ weekly spins during mid-day and evenings. In December 2011, due to overwhelmingly 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.
The rest of Florida began to catch on to the swell, and in April 2012, DHARMATA was invited to play the Main Stage at Orlando's Florida Music Festival. Following DHARMATA's performance, Orlando's WJRR 101.1 began spinning "Do It Again," and the song continues to receive regular weekly spins.
On July 17, 2012, DHARMATA released their long-anticipated, self-titled debut album. The week of the album release, DHARMATA played a sold-out, over-capacity concert at West Palm Beach's Respectable Street Cafe in honor of the new album. The attendance was the largest in the history of the venue, a span of 25 years! In support of the new album, DHARMATA has already begun touring regionally and will begin relentless national touring by the Fall of 2012.
Vox: Jay Slim
Bass: Kevin
Lead Guitar: Chris
Guitar: Matt
Drums: J.C.