Karaboudjan is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist, Billy Kim. A project through that gives way to the artist to express emotions, thoughts and feelings of years that have now passed. Let Go, is part of his debut EP, Imago, and it is a song with a story to tell and a videoclip (directed by Justin Gaar) you will love almost as much as the song. A seriously chill song with a strong dose of psychedelia.
Read our interview with Karaboudjan below.
Describe your sound in three words please!
Dreamy indie psych.
If you feel comfortable sharing this, we’d love to hear one of your most memorable moments between you and your father/mother, especially since they were musicians too.
I don’t have the best memory most of the time, but I do have vivid memories of listening to my dad play guitar and singing songs from the Beatles, CCR, and Simon and Garfunkel. More specifically, “Yesterday”, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”, and “Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water”. My mom is definitely the better singer of the two, and I do have fond memories of both of them singing together with my dad playing the guitar and my mom playing piano.
You have started touring since the age of 17! Wow. Looking back, can you describe this feeling? What was the biggest challenge doing that and what was the best moment, if you could pick one?
I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to tour at such a young age, and needless to say, I was beyond excited to be going on the road for the first time. I was a senior in high school at the time, and I had to request over a month’s worth of homework in advance as the tour was in the late fall of 2004. That was pretty tough to juggle on the road with no seats in the back of the van. I mean it was a welcome trade-off having no seats, as anybody who’s ever toured in a van before would understand how crucial it is to be able to lay down flat. Best moment? Honestly, it was being able to talk to people after the shows and connecting with people on this common ground of music that brought everyone in this room together. I was miles away from home, slumming it with a few friends, and playing my heart out every night. Those were truly some of the best moments of my youth.
What should we expect next from you? Perhaps some live gigs? Or more music?
I have a few more singles that will be releasing in the coming months that will waterfall into the EP which I expect to release by early September. An album release show would be amazing, but I think we’re all still carefully watching how we transition out of the pandemic.Fingers crossed. I’m actually really excited about the new music I’ve been working on, and I’m hoping to release it early next year.
What was the best album you heard the previous year?
That would have to be by O Terno. Technically it was released in 2019, but I discovered them right at the start of quarantine.
Reading you describe your creative process, you seem like a person who really thinks and reflects on their experiences and one who is not afraid to look themselves in the eyes and allow this to show in their music. We are wondering whether you have a favourite song of your own making. Or two!
I’m actually extremely private with my emotions and it truly does feel therapeutic to express myself through this way. It’s the only time I’ve felt comfortable letting it all hang out in the open. If I had to pick a favorite song of mine, it would be the one that I’m working on now! But I’m assuming you meant off this EP, and that would have to be “Seems Like.”
If you were to write music for a film, what kind of film would that be?
I would LOVE to write music for film. Anything Wes Anderson, but I would truly enjoy working with any kind of film. The concept of writing music for a certain visual purpose is such an interesting parallel to just writing music for myself.
How do you feel about collaborations? Is there an artist you’d like to work with?
I’m open to any kind of collaboration as I find it really inspires me while working with different artists. My favorite thing is when I hear a vocal/instrumental/drum part performed by someone else and think, “Wow that’s cool. I would’ve never thought of that.” It’s like unlocking a new pathway of creativity for yourself.
Thanks Karaboudjan!
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