We recently connected with Karina Morin and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Karina , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
From the time I was in the womb ( or I can only imagine ) my parents exposed me to incredible music and soundtracks growing up. They fostered and nurtured my creative expressions, ever since they saw I had an inkling. They gave me the freedom to explore, play and express, as well as they encouraged me every step of the way. They took me to watch many great concerts, knowing I would be inspired and in awe.
As a young girl, they singed me up for singing lessons and made sure to find me a singing teacher that I felt comfortable with and connected to, by way of their personality, approach, as well as their musical influences! The first teacher I went to was from a ‘mature’ generation and came from a classical music background and her teaching style exemplified that too! Well that didn’t really bode well with me… I was a bit traumatized to say the least after our first session… after that my father took time to find a teacher who was a bit younger in age and who could relate to me more, being that I was a shy child. Her music preferences even resonated with me, which was; soul, pop and jazz. I was very grateful that my father brought us together.
When I got into the high big school band ensemble, I wanted so badly to play alto sax, but instead was given the clarinet, due to low supply and budget cuts. I tried clarinet for a good part of a year, but in the end hated it and felt discouraged and was thinking I may even quit the music program. My parents did everything they could to find me a second hand sax so that I could continue on. I’m glad they did because the next year my music teacher asked me if I would ‘sing’ at the year end concerts each year till graduation. I sang on a real stage for the 1st time backed by his pro jazz band. It was the most amazing & life changing experience I ever had. That was the very moment I knew I needed to keep going, deep in my gut.
After high school, I had many ups and downs pursuing music and I decided quit it all together for a time.
I became very depressed and felt lost. They supported me through it, they arranged for me to seek therapy, as well as art classes at my local community centre and my mother even connected me with a band, so I can sing again. I was starting to come around and feel like myself again. I then decided that I would to go to performing arts & music college and finally commit to my passion… they helped me move across the country from Montreal Qc, to Victoria BC , so I could go to school
I owe them so much. They have always highly encouraged my art, as well as giving me the space to find my way back to do what I love most, all for the ‘right’ reasons, and not to live up to expectations. It was no wonder that I decided to pursue music and the arts. They never pressured me to pursue a the typical notion of a ‘sensible’ career.
To this day, they never miss one of my shows.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name’s Karina, I’m I’m originally from Montreal Canada now based in Vancouver. I would say I’m a multifaceted performing artist, soul singer, songwriter, also with a background in visual arts, fashion and energy healing (hence my artist name). Though for me, music has always been a sacred part of my DNA. My father, a funk/soul musician in the late 60s and early 70s, exposed me to a lot of amazing music growing up, and I recently found out that my great uncle and grandfather on my mother’s side were celebrated religious Cantor singers. I’ve been singing lots of wonderful bands over the years, and I am now embarking on a solo career, in the midst of releasing my own independent music. My new project is called, Kärma Sounds.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
For starters, art and music should be accessible offerings in schools. It should not be subject to being first on the ‘chopping block’ when budget cuts are in question. Parents and teachers should recognize, encourage and foster creative, artistic expression in their kids.
City officials need to lighten the restrictions, red tape and permits, when it comes to art & music venues that are trying to survive to exist. This encourages more collaboration & camaraderie and less competition among artists and musicians
Communities should prioritize investing in the arts and culture scene more vs team sports as an example
Access to affordable housing and creative work spaces for artists.
Better access and transparency on resources, arts funding and initiatives vs gate keeping, exclusivity and favouritism.
The arts should be looked at as a means of natural human expression for ALL, and has the power to provide many benefits to our society, including improving mental health, creative thinking, and human empathy.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, having the creative vision and seeing it through from inception to completion stage, is truly rewarding. Every stage of development offers a unique and complex set of challenges and rewards.
Another rewarding aspect of being an artist & creative is, collaboration with fellow creatives, whether during the creation stage or the performance of the piece. The energetic exchange when creating something together is an exhilarating and rewarding experience.
Lastly, if your creation touches someone emotionally or perhaps becomes the impetus that inspires them to create as well, that is the ultimate reward and fulfillment!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iamkarmasounds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karma.sounds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karmasounds.music
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrvVBxp9hCOY59WfpccyQWw
Image Credits
Maddy Cristall @Pulp Publicity Eleni Tsapas Katrina Dymphna Jose