Since touring the UK a year ago, Karma headed ‘home’ where she set off on a tour of 16 states Р playing 30 shows in 34 days! “It was an incredible experience, grueling at times, more so because the States is so big and I had to do a lot of driving, but well worth it in the end.”

The culmination of this trip was her relocation from east coast to west, settling in the pumping music artery of Los Angeles. This talented South African is already making her mark, being listed in Billboard in April as ‘one of the most talented singer-songwriters in LA’ and she was offered a residency at LA’s premier acoustic club, The Hotel Café.  “I consider myself very fortunate to have been given a residency so soon after moving to LA!”

Between all the music and mingling, Karma makes time to hike in Topanga Canyon, cycle along the Californian beach front and hang out with her new hall cat. SA Promo chatted to Karma about life in LA.
“One of things I really enjoy is how much LA reminds 
me of South Africa, especially Cape Town. CT is more beautiful but California is definitely the closest thing I have experienced 
in America.”

The lifestyle

I love people watching in LA! I live really close to Melrose Avenue where you can see the full spectrum of what LA has to offer, celebs to fashionista’s, rockers to struggling actors, high powered studio execs to tourists!

Santa Monica is a favourite for restaurants and hanging out and Venice beach is a blast for riding bikes, and seeing street performers, artists and street culture. Nightlife is incredible as well. I can go out every night of the week and see amazing bands and artists. Many touring bands would not go to South Florida, so I didn’t get to see as much when I lived there.

I also love that I can jump in 
the car and be in the mountains hiking or skiing, on the beach or in the middle of the desert in no time. I have been spending a lot of time hiking in Topanga. I really do love being outdoors and am so happy that living in LA offers all this! South Florida, as beautiful as it is, is very humid in the summer months, which makes it almost impossible to enjoy the outdoors all year round.

LA is pretty much all that you see in the movies and music videos, living here is like being on a movie set most of the time!

The location

I love living in West Hollywood because I am in the thick of it all and can walk to tons of shops, restaurants and markets. My neighbourhood has lots of actors, musicians and writers.

And then there is Taz. She came with the apartment our resident hall cat who was abandoned by her owner and who everyone chips in to take care of!  She is such a delight as I haven’t been able to get pets since moving to the US, so I consider Taz to be a very special gift!

The supermarkets

Everything is bigger in the US! My first trip to a super
market was overwhelming the local Publix (like a Pick ‘n Pay) dwarfs Makro! Added to that, I couldn’t recognise a damn thing with the exception of Heinz Ketchup. It took some getting used to and figuring out what was what and if I liked it or not.
Moving to LA started that process all over again as they have different stores and a whole new array of products! I prefer the choice here, they have a lot more fresh markets and organic stores!

The food

Food has perhaps been the biggest adjustment from SA to the US. I now fully understand the term ‘comfort food’. Not only are the dishes quite different, but the taste of the food is extremely different. A lot of what I was used to eating in a traditional way has been Americanised... I battle to find the Greek in Greek food, the Indian in Indian food and the Italian in Italian. It’s not all bad though... I love Cuban food, Buffalo chicken wings and Mexican food.

I missed SA dishes a lot when I first moved over but have since become a master at making many of my favorites. There are also some good online stores where you can get SA products and some ‘homesick’ months I am sure I am single-handedly keeping them in business!

KARMA will be in the UK in July, playing at the Halfmoon on 1 & 2 July, as well as Immergroen Festival on 17 July.