With intimate lyrics and incredible production, Karaboudjan’s “Same Mistakes” feels like a dream. His most vulnerable song to date, “Same Mistakes” grapples with the loss of his father and the lessons imparted — “Father helped me see the light / realize that I won’t make it true / Or same mistakes as you,” Karaboudjan reflects. Karaboudjan’s lyrics send waves of emotion, emphasized by heavy, crashing percussion, creating a building and expansive soundscape.
“Same Mistakes” is about learning that quality of life is more important than wealth. My dad worked so hard to support our family, and wasn’t able to enjoy his later years as he was diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer’s at the age of 51 before passing at 56. I like to think this song is him reminding me to never take every day for granted and to practice gratefulness for the things that actually matter.
Glide is premiering this vivacious new single “Same Mistakes,” which rides a vivasious wave of electronic dreamscape chill. Check out this downbeat stunner below.
Karaboudjan is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Billy Kim, who has toured with musician and composer Tycho since 2016. Born in Inglewood, California, but raised a stone’s throw to the east in Fullerton, Billy grew up watching his parents sing together at home. While his parents saw music as more of a hobby, Billy knew he wanted to be a professional musician at the age of 13.
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). While enjoying the high from this remarkable opportunity, Billy lost his father from Alzheimer’s. 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 the enormous curiosity of life unlived.” Though Fullerton played an integral role in Billy’s love of music, in 2016, he joined the band that accompanies Tycho and relocated to Union City, New Jersey. Union City, in fact, is where he wrote the majority of his solo debut project, IMAGO.
“Our 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 that’s where I fell in love with my wife.”
Much like Karaboudjan, IMAGO is also something of a tribute to Billy’s youth. “There are two definitions, and I’m 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.” says Billy.
