Justin Karpinos

Artist Information

Biography

Justin Karpinos is a 27 year-old singer/songwriter currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. Justin is an established sideman and contributes guitar, mandolin, and vocals for several area artists and bands.

Flyover, Justin’s debut album, was recorded and mixed in both Nashville, TN with producer Marc Lacuesta (recording credits include Allison Krauss, Neil Young, Sara Evans, and Jars of Clay), and in Greensboro, NC with producer Mike Garrigan (founder of the critically-acclaimed band Collapsis).

Flyover features tightly-crafted songs that emphasize his melodic sensibilities, compelling lyrics, and tasteful guitar work. Justin’s clear, strong voice is reminiscent of James Taylor and Paul Simon. The arrangements and instrumentation explore more modern pop/rock styles, similar to Gavin Degraw and Jump, Little Children.

The record has garnered attention and praise from, most notably, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Marcus Hummon.

Instrumentation

Justin Karpinos, vocals, guitar, mandolin


Other members vary but most often include:
-Josh Edwards, vocals and guitar
-Rebecca Edwards, vocals, harmonica, flute, accordion

Discography

Solo albums:

-Flyover (2006)
-13th Street Demos (2006)
-The Green Room Sessions (2007)

Contributions to:
Zammarin, Shine On (2008)
Zammarin, (self-titled) (2007)
Zammarin, Over the Hills and Everywhere (2006)
60 Cycle Hum, AA Heartache (2005)
Warehouse Fires, A History of My Time (2002)
Brad Passons, Set up for Failure (2004)

Audio

• A Window Out
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• If You Go
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• Fifteen Percent
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• Autumn Waits
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• Sailor's Song (Go Ye Now in Peace)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• A Window Out
• If You Go
• Fifteen Percent
• Autumn Waits
• Sailor's Song (Go Ye Now in Peace)

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Flyover Review #1 [+ Show ]
  

  Justin Karpinos presents Flyover, an EP detailing pop and its influence over relationships In a risi...Justin Karpinos presents Flyover, an EP detailing pop and its influence over relationships In a rising world of coffee shop breakthrough artists ruling the charts and bands taking the form of hired hands a flood of multi-tracked singer songwriter albums. Karpinos’ roots are light and available in many outlets, but do they over-influence his delivery?
  
  Karpinos arranges efficiently, song structures never jam up or bog down. Pop sensibility is the secret ingredient of Flyover. All the parts fit and nothing gets goofy. Karpinos stays away from the tongue-in-cheek delivery that launches so many singer songwriters today. Karpinos prefers the straight delivery, not over-decorating or debasing.
  
  
  The meat of the material in Karpinos' work is relationships. The detailing of those relationships get a bit repetitive, but retain their adult contemporary manifesto of sober and steady. A few near-rock moments help separate occasional instrumental hooks. But the majority of this collection frames Karpinos' voice, the centerpiece. Karpinos' tone shifts between almost broken-hearted and Midwestern infection. Karpinos is a great addition to local working community. Flyover is a step beyond coffee shop.
  
  -Thomas Martin, Enigma Magazine

• Flyover Review #2 [+ Show ]
  

  Sidemen have a funny way of branching off from their side jobs. Justin Karpinos, who lends his finge...Sidemen have a funny way of branching off from their side jobs. Justin Karpinos, who lends his fingers to local bands 60 Cycle Hum and Zammarin, makes his solo debut with this semi-acoustic, semi rock/pop EP. Though no Jack Johnson or Jack White, Karpinos shows promise via his southern folk guitar style and velvety voice. The lyrics drift from inspirational to insightfully painful. On one track about a “suitcase” father, Karpinos relates how a son “whispers prayers to his Manhattan god.” “Fifteen Percent” is the grabber here, though. The up-tempo tune is reminiscent of Jars of Clay (which is not surprising since producer Marc Lacuesta has mixed both) and just gritty enough to allow Karpinos to explore more mature lyrics and rougher vocals with a wider range. Though the freshman effort comes across as mostly, well, a freshman effort, it’s always good to hear a local musician with actual potential.
  
  -Maggie Behringer
  

• Enigma Magazine's Top 10 releases of 2006 [+ Show ]
  

  Chattanooga singer/songwriter sing and performs nothing like he talks. The east coast native has a s...Chattanooga singer/songwriter sing and performs nothing like he talks. The east coast native has a smooth vocal delivery and is more than your typical singer/songwriter he considers himself. Some call his music similar to James Taylor. I beg to differ. Justin Karpinos sounds original.. Thank goodness he didn’t try to use a cookie-cutter mould to write and perform. Mature, with strong vocals and smart songwriting, others around him should pay attention.
  
  

Setlist

15-75 minutes, a mix of originals and covers, depending on size and audience. Mostly originals,
Artists represented in cover catalogue include:

-James Taylor
-Simon and Garfunkel
-R.E.M.
-Jump, Little Children
-Howie Day
-The Beatles
-Barenaked Ladies
-U2

Basic Requirements

Calendar