Having already cemented herself with a wealth of riveting releases these last few years, Indonesian artist Karin continues to shine with her vibrant new single 'League Of Your Own'.
Capturing more of that warm and inviting alt-pop aesthetic she has been developing since she first emerged, 'League Of Your Own' makes for a wonderfully rich and shimmering listen. With her wistful vocal performance layered across a dreamy production from start to finish, she is quickly establishing herself as one of the more heartfelt names on the rise with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument that I fell in love with was the piano. My older brother learned piano before I did and whenever he played “Blue Moon” I was captivated. Because of him, I started learning the piano when I was ten years old. I started with classical tunes but now I prefer playing pop songs on the piano.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved Pop Rock. I fell in love with Paramore’s music when I was younger the minute I heard their song “Decode”. Hayley Williams was such a special singer; she is iconic for having her own singing style and being a female frontrunner of a rock band. I still love listening to their songs to this day.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I remember owning is a Hannah Montana CD. I begged my parents for a copy ever since I started watching Hannah Montana on TV. I was blown away by Miley Cyrus and I definitely wanted to be just like her (acting and singing). It was a fun pop record with catchy tunes. Back then, albums still had a booklet of lyrics and I made sure I memorized the lyrics of each song on the album.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift. I have loved that song since it first came out while I was still studying in university. Recently it’s been trending in the Billboard charts again and I have been listening to it non-stop. It is such a playful, powerful, pop anthem. I’m pretty sure everybody loves that song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I definitely have to lock myself in a room alone or if I’m traveling to Bali (which I do quite frequently) I’ll go to the beach, find a quiet spot, open up the notes app on my phone and start typing out my feelings.
I always build a song based on an emotion, then write a story about it, then find a melody that suits it. I always feel so accomplished after finishing up a song.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
One of them, surprisingly, is Ice Spice. I’ve never been into Rap but something about Ice Spice is so original and refreshing. She has a unique style and her authenticity is inspiring. She’s unapologetically herself in her songs and I look up to that. I want to be able to express myself fully and freely just like her.
Another is Olivia Rodrigo. All of her songs on her newest album, “GUTS” is amazing. She’s an incredibly talented songwriter. My favorite on the album is “bad idea right?. It’s such a fun punk rock song that gets me excited whenever I listen to it. All of her songs take me back to being an angsty teenager and I love that.
My absolute favorite artist that I always seem to listen to is Taylor Swift. All of her albums are phenomenal. She has such a diverse range of genres, which is why I never tire from listening to her music. Her lyrics are beautiful and always so moving.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Opening for Taylor Swift would be such a dream come true. She’s someone I greatly look up to musically. To me, she’s the whole package. She’s an outstanding storyteller, she is highly creative and she’s a superb performer. Also it would be so fun to do a song with her! I love each and every one of her songs.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part is to be able to express yourself and share it with others. Writing songs for me is therapeutic but also it feels like a superpower, being able to write down your emotions and turn it into art that people can enjoy. The most fascinating thing about it is realizing all your emotions are universal and there is no shame in going through difficult things.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is comparing myself to other musicians. It’s easy to do that because I see so many other people succeed and yet I do not know the story behind anyone’s success. I think it’s important to remember that it’s about the journey and not the destination. Everybody can get caught up in comparing their number of streams, likes on social media and it can get very frustrating.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
To be proud of every song that I have produced. I have the tendency to always over criticise my own work because I admire so many musicians. I know that I am still in the process of becoming better in many areas of music. I have to remember to celebrate the small wins and be happy with what I’ve accomplished. I also need to keep building my confidence so that I will continue to make music that I enjoy and ultimately others enjoy.
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Karin's new single 'League Of Your Own' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.