ABOUT

The Swiss-New Zealand power trio Carson stands out from the crowd of stoner rock bands with their distinctive musical style, dual vocals with intricate harmonies, and captivating, high-energy live shows. Founded in 2010 by New Zealand guitarist and singer Kieran Jones in New Zealand, the alternative stoner rock band found its current lineup in Switzerland in 2012 with drummer Jan Kurmann and bassist Elina Willener.

Carson made waves right from their first EP: tracks like I Guess and Chlorine Boogie were played on major Swiss radio stations, earning the band initial recognition. Shortly afterward, Carson began touring Europe as a support act for Karma to Burn and performing alongside notable bands such as Elder, Dog Eat Dog, Greenleaf, and Black Rainbows. The trio quickly established itself as a hidden gem for electrifying rock performances, appearing at major festivals like Up in Smoke, Openair am Bielersee, and Stonerhead Let Groove Your Brains Tonight.

Carson’s debut album, Drown the Witness (2017), impressed with sprawling psychedelic-monster tracks and solidified their place in the scene. The album garnered significant international attention, sold well, and received rave reviews worldwide. However, shortly after its release, the band faced an unexpected hiatus when Kieran had to return to New Zealand for family reasons.

In 2022, Carson made an impressive comeback with their second album, The Wilful Pursuit of Ignorance (released via Sixteentimes Music), surprising fans with a harder and more direct sound. The album showcases a grungier, more straightforward side of the band while retaining Carson’s signature sound.

The Wilful Pursuit of Ignorance received glowing reviews from various magazines. Metal Hammer praised the album’s “cool, never-too-predictable songwriting, an understanding of hooks despite all the power, and a full-bodied production.” The album was described as an “attractive alternative rock package that gives the sometimes sluggish genre a much-needed kick.” Drum Heads Magazine wrote, “The maturity of the work reflects the years of growth in their music. The focus is on heavy, fat riffs; the compositions are compact but thoroughly crafted.” The Obelisk stated, “It’s been a while since a basically straightforward, desert-derived heavy rock record hit me with such an impression of song writing as does their second full-length, The Wilful Pursuit of Ignorance.”

The album was not only a critical success but also conquered the charts, reaching No. 4 in the Doom Charts and placing in the Top 10 of the Swiss Artist Charts, among other achievements.

In 2022, Carson spent a total of five weeks touring Europe with bands such as Siena Root and Deville, performed club shows with acts like King Buffalo, Duel, and Powder for Pigeons, and appeared at festivals such as Up in Smoke, Rock im Wald, Dudefest, and Pietra Sonica.

In 2023 and 2024, the band continued to play multiple domestic and international shows and festivals, including Palp Festival, Terneuzen is on Fire, Honky Tonk, and Itch Fest, while working on their next album.

At the start of 2025, Carson toured Spain in February and Germany in April, also playing several shows across Switzerland. Their new album When Gods Know Why will be released on September 19, 2025. On this record, the band ventures beyond their Stoner Rock roots, embracing a broader stylistic spectrum, fresh sonic textures, and genre-crossing elements - while staying true to their unmistakable sound.