Hiya Larry Karpenko, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
I vividly remember the crackling of a record player as the stereo sound came to life—the needle touching down, the gentle pops and static, the anticipation as the recording unfolded. Before I ever created music, I was immersed in listening, absorbing every sound around me. My dad, a music teacher, filled our home with recordings that drew me in, shaping my understanding of music’s emotional depth and storytelling power.
That early formation instilled in me a love for music as an expression—an extension of emotion and perspective. My dad’s reel-to-reel recorder became my first tool for experimentation. I plugged it in, layering guitars and vocals, reveling in the analog echo and the magic of backward playback. Each discovery deepened my connection, turning sound into something personal and alive.
Music has been my constant companion, evolving with every chapter of my life. I’ve left and returned to it many times, each revisit bringing renewed meaning. My approach has never been about traditional success metrics but rather the purity of storytelling and connection—making music that resonates with the heart.
What’s the live music scene like in Loma Linda/Redlands right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
My Loma Linda/Redlands community is rich with musical talent and opportunities. We have a thriving music school, a symphonic orchestra, choirs, handbell ensembles, composers, and a diverse array of musicians. Recitals and showcase performances regularly introduce fresh talent, making the local scene vibrant and engaging. Being so close to Los Angeles, we benefit from a supportive musical network with opportunities in both mainstream and niche industry fields.
Each year, I attend the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) in nearby Anaheim—a fantastic event for networking and staying current with emerging musicians and trends. In this industry, reliability and positive relationships create space for collaboration; simply showing up on time and fostering connections can open doors to meaningful projects.
Recently, I participated in the Music Producer’s Discover Tour in Los Angeles. It was invigorating to connect with fellow producers, hear their latest work, and draw inspiration. There’s something truly enriching about sharing social time with musicians who are equally passionate about their craft—encouraging one another, exchanging ideas, and learning together.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
Engaging in social media is essential for making your voice heard. In today’s multimedia-driven world, visuals often carry as much weight as the music itself—it’s how many people experience music now. While visuals aren’t my primary passion, they’ve become a necessary part of the process. Rather than resisting, I’ve learned to embrace this reality and move forward.
Beyond promotion, social media offers an invaluable connection to fans, collaborators, and influencers who spark inspiration, challenge ideas, and motivate new projects. This direct engagement has been a powerful source of feedback, growth, and creative fuel. At its core, music is about connection and understanding, and social media provides an outlet for expressing thoughts, emotions, and perspectives in ways that resonate beyond the songs themselves.
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
I make it a priority to check in on social media, reading and responding to messages. I post as often as I can—not with the goal of going viral, but as a way to share my perspectives with those who are interested. For me, social media is an outlet for expression rather than a numbers game.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
Many genres are heavily saturated, making it challenging to stand out. To carve your own space, stay aware of what other artists in your field are creating—this allows you to continually add depth to the artistic conversation. The key is to make art that is compelling and true to your vision.
Surround yourself with those who genuinely support your artistry. There will always be people offering to “help,” but their real interest may be financial gain rather than your growth. Navigating these choices can be difficult, so it’s crucial to carefully assess where your investment will bring the greatest value.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I am an emerging voice, and this year marks an important chapter with monthly releases that highlight my songwriting and artistic evolution. I’m especially excited to be refining my craft, honing in on the nuances that define my sound. One of the greatest benefits of frequent releases is the ability to sharpen production speed and efficiency while ensuring each song fully reflects my artistic vision.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
As Brian Eno once said, “Work fast”—a philosophy I’ve embraced more and more in my pursuit of artistic expression. There’s something magical about being in creative flow, where ideas come so quickly that you barely have time to process them. Writing and producing can happen at such a rapid pace that you forget what you just composed—but that’s part of the beauty.
Luckily, everything is recorded and documented, so when it’s time for mixing, mastering, and releasing, I can step back and reflect: Wow, that’s pretty cool. These moments remind me of the power of inspiration—how great musical ideas emerge effortlessly and become something worth sharing. Sometimes, I even surprise myself, thinking, I don’t know if I could compose that again if I tried!
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
One of my favorite djembe recordings dates back to the ’90s—captured during a session with my friend Kent Rathbun, whose expressive touch made the recording truly special. The original piece first appeared in I Need Your Love on my album Welcome to My World. Later, I reworked the sample at a new tempo for Lighthouse on One Touch, and most recently, I integrated it into Love’s Color for an upcoming release.
I’ve also woven Jacob Collier’s Audience Choir into multiple songs. There’s something exciting about repurposing high-quality sounds across different recordings—it feels like a creative scavenger hunt, recognizing familiar elements in new contexts. Beyond sampling, I love incorporating secondary songs or melodies into original compositions, bridging old and new musical ideas. It creates an engaging experience for listeners, inviting them to pick up on subtle themes while deepening the connection between influences and inspiration.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
My new music is artistically unfiltered, allowing me to serve the song with full creative ownership—a process I find deeply compelling. I’m not concerned with fitting into a mold, catering to expectations, or crafting a polished product. My focus is purely on expression, using music and songwriting as a vehicle for authentic storytelling.
My latest release, The Horizon is special to me. It envisions a world united by shared values and collective responsibility. It embodies hope, respect, justice, and equality for all people. The Horizon draws inspiration from President Lyndon Johnson’s powerful address before signing the Civil Rights Bill on July 2, 1964.
It outlined the belief that all people are created equal, endowed with rights and the blessings of liberty; that they are equal before God and maintain hope for happiness. In his speech, Johnson reminded the nation that hope and justice are intertwined with faith. He spoke of prayer and the wisdom to enact great works, framing equality not just as a legal right, but as a moral imperative. Building on President Johnson’s vision of equality as both a legal right and a moral imperative, The Horizon expands this legacy by emphasizing the power of individual choices.
Because of the freedoms we enjoy, every decision we make, big or small, shapes our peers, our society, and ultimately, our world. By intertwining the concepts of ‘choices’ and ‘freedom,’ The Horizon sparks conversations that encourage deeper reflection and connection. Today, The Horizon carries forward this legacy, inviting reflection on the choices we make in pursuit of a just world. In an era where hope, respect, justice, and equality are essential to healing and unity, The Horizon inspires us to reflect on our choices and work together toward a brighter future.
What was the recording process like?
Every recording goes through several stages, typically beginning with a musical or lyrical idea entered into my digital audio workstation (DAW). The sources that make their way into my DAW come from a variety of places—field recordings, family jams around the piano, voice memos, guitar and keyboard inputs, and more.
When mapping out a song’s arrangement, I always keep the end listener in mind, considering elements like cohesiveness, energy, vibe, and artistic intent. Early in the process, I’m not tied to any particular instrument—a song composed on guitar might ultimately take shape around a keyboard, or vice versa. I carefully analyze production choices, selecting the sounds that will bring the vision to life while collaborating with other musicians to record them.
Working with others in the studio is one of my favorite parts of the process—not just for their technical expertise, but for the creative surprises they bring. The collaboration, exchange of ideas, and unexpected musical expressions add layers of richness to a track.
Before finalizing a project, I spend time listening deeply to ensure my artistic vision is fully realized. If something feels off, I ask myself what needs to change—what to add or remove to enhance the song. After each adjustment, I re-evaluate until the vision feels complete. Often, the moment I know a piece of music has truly come to life is when it evokes pure emotion—a tear, a laugh, or even goosebumps. That’s when I know I’ve created something meaningful.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
It’s easy for our brains to settle into familiar grooves—sometimes to our detriment. We can fall into old styles and production habits, unintentionally sounding dated or out of touch, even when we have fresh, meaningful ideas to share. The key to staying creatively sharp is to immerse yourself in new music, letting it expand your mind with fresh sounds and inspiration.
Continuously pushing yourself to learn more about songwriting and production can be exhausting, but it’s a necessary challenge. The effort is well worth it—not just for relevance, but for artistic growth and the ability to evolve with each new project.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Mixing has been the most challenging aspect for me to perfect. I have a strong ear for what I want to hear, but balancing technical elements—such as headroom and how each instrument occupies space within the mix—can be complex. With so many variables at play, achieving the right balance requires careful attention.
Early on, my primary focus was on songwriting, arrangement, and instrumentation, often leaving mixing as an afterthought. However, I’ve come to realize that presentation is key—how others experience your music is just as important as the artistic intent behind it. For this reason, on my 2016 album Beautiful Together, I hired mixing engineer J.R. McNeeley to help bring my vision to life. Additionally, all three of my albums—Welcome to My World, One Touch, and Beautiful Together—have been professionally mastered to ensure the best possible listening experience.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I’m feeling an increasing desire to push musical boundaries—much like Jacob Collier, who defies genre conventions and embraces artistic freedom. David Foster also comes to mind as someone I relate to, with a deep love for writing, producing, and collaborating to bring music to life. TobyMac is another artist I identify with—someone who constantly seeks fresh perspectives, challenges himself creatively, and finds
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