Q: “Little Things New” is a sweet love song. What was the inspiration behind the track?
KARPENKO: “Little Things New” is a love story with a twist. A heartbroken girl dreams of finding love. In a separate parallel reality, we have a boy passionate to love a special girl. In a divine encounter, they lock eyes and fall in love. Musically speaking, a bridge section carries us to a climax where we triumph in love’s unifying strength. Suddenly a final pre-chorus transports us to another time and place where only the listener can describe, to an ending that warms even the most skeptical critic’s heart. Specifically, my sister-in-law was looking for just the right man in her life. After some searching, she eventually found him. Just before their wedding, I imagined their happiness together, and as part of her support team of friends and family, I could imagine the positive new energy from the couple’s union; lyrics fell into place.
Q: What did you enjoy most about making this song?
KARPENKO: As a songwriter, I let my emotions—both past and present—direct the story. Recalling the thrill of falling in love, creating suspense for the listener, and contrasting those emotions with uncertainty and the tedium that can come with living in an unstable relationship. My clever way of saying “with you life is better” and simultaneously providing a “why” was to use the phrase “little things new.”
Q: Who would you most like to collaborate with, if it could be anyone in the world?
KARPENKO: Peter Gabriel. My early influences include Peter Gabriel. His soulful vocal performances and passionate lyric writing, as well as his creative desire to work with others to discover new expressions and grooves, are what captivate me. He incorporates many styles into his productions and similarly has a wide appeal to listeners.
Q: Who are your biggest influences?
KARPENKO: Pat Pattison, author of “Writing Better Lyrics” has influenced my songwriting style. One of my favorite elements is spotlighting words in any given phrase. For example, using a consonant adjective “shattered” in verse 1, line 1, to immediately draw in the listener. Another favorite element is when I allow love to be the hero, described in the bridge section that no matter what hardships the subjects face, love will carry them through; it allows the message to have universal appeal.
Q: What is coming up next for you?
KARPENKO: 2025 is a waterfall of song releases. March 21 will see a release of “Fare Thee Well” an expressive goodbye to love found then lost. It takes the listener into a poetic journal of young love, longing, and divine companionship, only for life to unfold in ways that many find unbearable, the pain of love separated. It speaks to those who have risked all for love, found love, and experienced loss of love. In an emotional farewell, the subject wishes their loved one well despite pain, expressing a hopeful sentiment that embodies the human condition’s strength and resilience. May 17, 2025 plans to premiere my song “The River” arranged for orchestra, brass, choir and bells.
Q: What would you like to tell your supporters out there?
KARPENKO: 1)Expect the unexpected. 2)Love like there’s no tomorrow. 3)Look beyond ourselves, take note of the positive things, and treasure them.
Interviewed by Taylor Berry
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