About Karma Sheen
Karma Sheen, a London-based band, merges Hindustani Classical music, 60s-inspired rock, and Sufi lyricism to create a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation. Led by Sameer Khan, who hails from a 600-year-old lineage of musicians in Pakistan, the group bridges the gap between cultural heritage and contemporary sounds. Their music is rooted in Hindustani classical forms while embracing the retro aesthetics of neo-psychedelia, resulting in a sound that feels both timeless and cutting-edge.
Sameer’s journey began with informal training under Ustaad Shafqat Ali Khan before formal studies with Ustaad Latafat Ali Khan, sons of the legendary Ustaad Salamat Ali Khan. This grounding in the Shaam Chaurasi Gharana tradition informs Karma Sheen’s music, where melodic ragas meet electrified energy. Multi-instrumentalist, on Sitar, Rod Bourganos, studied in Brazil and Singapore under Maestro Shri Chandranath Bhattacharya of the Senia Gharana. Together, Sameer and Rod weave Hindustani classical elements with 60s and 70s rock influences.
The group also features bassist and visual artist Grisha Grebennikov, guitarist and childhood friend Amad Chima, and drummer/producer Arun Dhanjal. Signed to FMLY Agency and with a publishing deal through Wipeout Music, the band is establishing itself as a force in the music world.
Karma Sheen released their self-titled debut album in October 2023 to critical acclaim. Known for electrifying live performances, the band has sold out venues such as Brighton’s Green Door Store and The Hope and Ruin, Bristol’s The Canteen, Norwich’s Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom and Norwich Arts Centre, and London’s iconic 100 Club, where they supported Nabihah Iqbal. They have also played major festivals like Shambala, Boomtown, and The Great Escape and supported renowned artists including Marcos Valle, Yin-Yin, Sababa 5, Say She She, Elephant Stone, WITCH, Dur-Dur Band, and Sarathy Korwar.
Karma Sheen’s music has been featured on BBC 6 Music through Gilles Peterson’s show and Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone. The band has also been awarded grants supported by the PRS Foundation, further cementing their growing recognition.
Their music draws from Shaam Chaurasi Gharana "bandishes"—melodic compositions within specific ragas—and Alaps, the improvised preludes to these ragas. Their Urdu lyrics are inspired by Sufi poetry, a mystical form of Islamic literature exploring divine love and spirituality. This traditional framework is layered with analogue synths, theremin, and electric instruments, creating a rich and immersive soundscape unique to Karma Sheen.
With their blend of cultural authenticity and genre-defying creativity, Karma Sheen continues to captivate audiences and critics alike. Their music, described as both spiritual and electrifying, transcends boundaries, offering listeners an experience that is at once rooted in tradition and boldly modern.