Today we’d like to introduce you to Conan “Con The Artist” Karpinski.
Hi Conan “Con The Artist”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up playing drums in South Africa, where I was born, then eventually turned to guitar, piano, and singing when I moved to Canada at the age of 15. Now I find myself writing music in LA, producing music in Vancouver, and flying off to Greece to work with 34-piece orchestras for film and television. It’s a bit all over the place but a wild ride. I constantly find myself juggling the life of a so-called “rock n roller” playing rock & pop music and also composing music for film & television shows. They’re two very different worlds but sometimes cross over into each other.
For example, I spent the first few years of my career in a touring rock band making indie rock records, and director Trevor Mack heard our stuff and wanted me to compose music for his feature film. I said yes to the job without even knowing how to make music to picture and landed up loving every single minute of it. I worked closely on it with my bandmate Andrew Dixon, and now we both work in the film industry. He’s doing sound design and mixing, while I’ve kept at the composing side.
Now I’m starting to release solo music as “Con The Artist” in 2023. This is going to be an exciting journey for me and can’t wait for my current fans to hear the new stuff.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been smooth. I’d like to say making pop records and composing is easy, but it’s not. It’s not always about the work… a lot of it has to do with timing, the place, and knowing the right people. Luckily I’m starting to find some of the right people. As for the place, I’ve moved my life to different countries more than once in pursuit of the arts. I lived in London, UK, for a period of life and there were times where my meals were nothing but pea soup. I would buy frozen peas, boil them, then blend them up to make soup… and I would survive on only that for weeks while all my friends back home thought I was off in Europe living the rock star dream.
In a way, that is kinda part of the dream. Every now and then one of my roommates would graciously spot me some cash for a pint or two and some crisps, and in turn I would do that for them when they needed. Those were the good old days. But you do it cause you love it. It’s easier than that now but comes with its other challenges. I went to high school in a small farm town in Canada and that wasn’t the easiest place to do art or find an artistic community. This is why I love LA so much… Everyone here is all about the arts and every corner you turn you can find something creative to watch or take part of. I think the location is important in this line of work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I compose, produce, and I’m a recording artist… and in each of those avenues, I’m known for something different.
As a composer, I recently won a LEO award for the indigenous drama comedy “Portraits from a Fire”. I composed the music for that film with Andrew Dixon and we’re very proud of the work we did and the musicians we collaborated with. With it being an indigenous film, we had moments where we were outside of our wheelhouse and got to collaborate with some very talented indigenous singers and percussion players. That was super fun. Music should always be about exploring new things and learning from one another. I think that’s what I like most about it.
In the producing and artist world, I think I’m just known as the guy that doesn’t quit and loves what he does. A lot of the time people ask to collaborate with me just because they’ve heard it’s a good time… as it should be. Music should just be fun. Take your art seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously.
What does success mean to you?
I don’t know about this one. I’m still trying to figure that out. I battle with work anxiety and stress a lot. Every time I have a goal and idea of success in my career, whenever I get there I don’t feel successful… I’m always looking to the next big thing. I’m not really ever content with what I do cause I’m always chasing more. So I guess success would look like peace of mind. Maybe I’ll find that someday.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.contheartist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conanjurek/
