Karaboudjan is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Billy Kim, who has toured with Tycho since 2016. Born in Inglewood, California, but raised in Orange County, Billy grew up watching his parents play music together at home. When he was 17, he had already embarked on his first national tour across the U.S.
At the age of 23, Billy was featured in Rolling Stone after getting an opportunity to record an album with Grammy Award-Winning producer, Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, Tom Waits). It was during the same time Billy lost his father after years of deteriorating from Alzheimerâs disease. Karaboudjan is a tribute to Billy’s father.
“The name had always fascinated me – it was the name of a ship in The Adventures of Tin Tin,” shares Billy. “I remember begging my parents to take me to the library so I could check out the next book in the series with which I was so infatuated. For me, Karaboudjan reminds me of the purity of my youth and it’s enormous curiosity of life unlivedâ”
In 2016, Billy joined Tychoâs touring band and relocated to Union City, New Jersey where he wrote the majority of his debut EP, IMAGO.
âOur apartment faced the Hudson River and we had the most incredible view of the Empire State Building. It was magical to have that view every time I looked up from my computer. It was the first time I ever lived away from home, and there was something so enchanting about the city for me. Probably because thatâs where I fell in love with my wife.”
“There are two definitions, and Iâm using both,” explains Billy. “The first definition is quite literal as I’ve reached adulthood while completing my first solo endeavor. It’s like I’ve finally reached a stage in my life where I am comfortable enough to finally release my own music that relates to personal topics for me. The second definition is an homage to my father, who definitely influences my behavior, especially after his death.”
Influenced by artists like Radiohead, Blur and Jon Hopkins, he describes Karaboujdan as dreamy psych-indie rock. Now he continues his musical journey with the new single “Seems Like”.
The new single is an attempt to shout out loud into the abyss. On the release, he offers that it’s “To wear my heart on my sleeve for once. To vocalise my frustrations of losing my dad twice; Alzheimer’s first, death second.”
“Seems Like” perfectly captures his dreamy indie rock flair with flanging guitar work and emotive falsetto vocal delivery. Heavy nods to Tame Impala and hints of Hi Frisco collide on this worthy psychedelic rock outing.
Listen to Seems Like below
More from Music
Frannie B drops new single “Echo”
Based in Oxford, Frannie B has been making an impact in the UK music scene with a pop-focused sound that âŠ
Brand new single from Nick Norton-Smith
London-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Norton-Smith has built a decorated career across an unusually diverse musical landscape, moving between film, âŠ
New full-length record from Divergent
While some musical ambitions take a little longer to find their moment, the journey for Iowa-based trio Divergent has been âŠ
