ABOUT

Carson are a three piece psychedelic stoner rock band residing in Lucerne, Switzerland. First formed in Auckland, New Zealand by front-man Kieran Jones in 2010. Playing all over New Zealand the then four piece quickly built a reputation as a groovy, heavy, melodic and energized outfit. 2011 Carson recorded a 7 track EP with hit tracks "Dues" and "Conversational" being played on national New Zealand radio stations. But then it was time for Kieran to move to Switzerland and a new band had to be formed.

Keeping the name Carson (taken from the classic western The Good the Bad and the Ugly) Jan Kurmann and Elina Willener joined the band and within 4 months started blasting the local Swiss scene. In December 2012, Carson released a 2nd self titled, 6 track EP after winning funding from a local festival (Lakeside Festival Hergiswil) at a sold out show in the infamous Treibhaus, Lucerne. The new CD shows the band channelling their sound and becoming a deep and loud groove machine. The perfect mix of fuzzy guitars, rolling drums, brutal bass, and catchy vocal melodies was received with love from the public and radio stations alike. The songs "Chlorine Boogie", "Come" and "I Guess" are being played on SRF Virus, Radio 3Fach and Coleur 3. An official music video for "I Guess" was released a few months later, received with praise and can be seen on Swiss music TV channels.

2013 Carson were picking up shows playing all over Switzerland. Chained together into one long tour, headlining their own shows and supporting well known acts (Greenleaf, Elder, Black Rainbows etc.) travelling through. Building their name as Switzerland’s Stoner rock n roll representatives.

Carson storming around Europe on tour with Karma to Burn in 2014 (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Switzerland) has given them that polished sound, a taste for the road and (much like the audience) left them gagging for more.

The next two years saw them playing many local and international festivals (Up in Smoke, Openair am Bierlersee, Stonerhead etc.) touring Italy and working on perfecting the monster songs written along the way.

Early 2017 saw the release of Carson’s full length album called "Drown the Witness" and shortly after an EP called "Three Point Split". These were christened at two rocking parties in their home town Lucerne. The album and EP sold very well and received raving revues from around the world. Singles "Drown the Witness" and "Pissing in the Wind" becoming favourites among the fans.

Singer and guitarist Kieran unfortunately had to return to New Zealand resulting in a 3 year hiatus for Carson much to the disappointment of eager fans.

In June 2020, Carson got back together and were picked up by the record label Sixteentimes Music. Putting the quite Corona period to good use, they put their next album together titled "The Wilful Pursuit of Ignorance". This was recorded by Benjamin Schoenacker at Redhouse Records late 2021, released April 2022 and landed on the top 10 CH-Artist album charts. Receiving bragging reviews internationally:

“CARSON came out of nowhere for me even though somewhere in those dark recesses of the mind their 2017 release Drown The Witness still lingered. But what a grand surprise this new album is! Just check out opener Dirty Dream Maker; and it’s massive mother sludge approach to stoner rock and you will know what we mean. It was also an eye opener to all that great music that their label Sixteentimes Music release and al lot of other Swiss bands doing great things. But for now we will stick to trying to come to grips with The Wilful Pursuit Of Ignorance…”

Joop Konraad, Doomcharts.com

“Consisting Kieran Jones, bassist Elina Willener and drummer Jan Kurmann, Carson are a lean and trim trio with a massive sound built on years of playing live and a telepathic understanding of each other’s strengths. A devoted fan following has already lifted “The Wilful Pursuit of Ignorance” into the middle reaches of the Swiss album charts.”

Swiss Music Export

Three singles and two music videos were released in support of this album. Heavy groove bringer "Dirty Dream Maker" (with video), hard and fast roller "The Last laugh" (with video), and dark swooner "Outbound Tide", all accurately representative of the mix of musical styles found on their latest offering.

Naturally after a new album release comes a promotion tour. Carson are lucky enough to spend a lot time in 2022 on tour with band’s such as Siena Root and Deville playing Germany, Poland, Austria and Switzerland. As well as playing a myriad of separate shows and festivals (Rock im Wald, Pietra Sonica Fest etc.) in Switzerland, Germany and Italy with bands like King Buffallo and Duel to name but a few.

Plans for world domination show no signs of slowing from this powerhouse trio. Stay tuned and make sure you check them out next time they come through your city!