Jonny Barrette, 21 year old Pierce College student, is the creator of the band “Cashing in Karma” along with the original drummer, Yoselynn Olmos. Barrette started writing songs and playing with other musicians, his senior year of high school when he realized he had a dream to pursue music.

After Graduating high school, Barrett found Olmos in a jam session and the two clicked well together.

The band couldn’t find a bassists, who was committed to coming and playing consistently. “For a while the band was actually myself, Jonny, and then random bassists that Jonny would bring and they would cycle out.” said Olmos.

“ I kept wanting it to get to a point where we were an established band so badly, that I was really impatient and it lead me to more disappointment down the road.” Barrette said.

Melvin Smith joined the band in fall of last year after answering a flyer ad he saw from around campus.  In the beginning Smith was reluctant to join. “It seemed really sketchy, answering an ad from out of nowhere at a community college.” Smith said. Once Smith met Barrett and Olmos it was a good fit.

The songs that Barrett was starting to write needed two lead guitars and bassists. After befriending Matt Caras in a music theory class Barrett encouraged Matt to join saying, “Hey man, why don’t you pick up the base and come play with us for a little?” Ever since then Caras has been the official bassist of Cashing in Karma.

The members of Cashing Karma do not have big egos, nor does one member outshine the others as far as dedication and talent goes, there’s a sense of harmonious union between the members.

Each person brings something different to the group Smith is an easygoing supportive guy, Olmos is very analytical, Caras a hard working dedicated bassist, and Barrett the optimist of the band.

Although the band doesn’t subscribe to the model any one genre for their stage presence and style of music, they feel most influenced by some of the great classics such as, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and Metallica.

While Cashing in Karma is not subscribed to any one genre they hope that they others will also hear the uniqueness in their music.  In the future the band hopes to record and produce their music. Their goal isn’t to become the next up and coming band, but to take whatever opportunities come their way, while still enjoying the ride.