Meet Karl Learmont | Musician (Angelspit)
December 20, 2021
We had the good fortune of connecting with Karl Learmont and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Karl, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Pursuing a career in music is a risk, but pursuing a career making your own music is a crazy risk! Increasingly a “band” is just one person who wears many hats – song writing, production, engaging with your supporters, admin, merch, marketing…coffee making (!)
You need to be well versed in all aspects of the music industry – or have trusted people who can give you pointers.
Most of what you do, you will do alone. People will not understand your decisions.
Get used to comments like “what do you REALLY do? …like for money”, “Is there any money in that?”, “I have not heard of your band”, “that sounds like a fun hobby’.
Most people won’t get it – just keep forging ahead.
It’s a risk because a music career is the ultimate investment – if you give-up, you’ll lose it all.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love to experiment with music, dabbling in different genres – from Cyberpunk, to Pop, to Dark Ambient. My music has been my full-time job for 20 years. Every step was risk, hard work, smart decisions…and being able to cut your losses when you make a bad decision.
I always output the highest quality I can achieve. I never cut corners. Every sound choice, beat, lyric needs to be the best I can make.
Creative process is very important, but it’s easy to fall into a rut – so I’m always trying new things.
It’s very important to keep your inner rebellious teenager alive….as they will alert you when you are “going through the motions” and not creating something new and fresh.
My main band (Angelspit) has just released it’s 10th album “Diesel Priest” and I’m thrilled with it’s heavy synth driven Cyberpunk sound!
My new project is with the band Ice Planet 9000. We are releasing a dark ambient album (with an accompanying audio drama) called “Sequence 1: Glass Jar”. It’s totally different to anything I’ve done – epic 70’s sci-fi synth instrumentals on vinyl with insane art! It’s beautiful, dark and haunting…in deep space!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d take a white 1974 Challenger and head for the desert. First hit Zzyzx, CA; then Baker, CA to stock up on UFO jerky; then Rachel, NV for some UFO spotting; then The Black Mailbox; then Tonopah, NV to soak up demon possessed clowns and more UFOs; than enjoy The International Car Forest of the Last Church, NV; then Death Valley. and maybe some ghost towns…then back to LA!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am blessed to have the support of Raphaelle, my wife. She is also an artist and she understands the challenges. My friend and mentor Brent Zius has been a massive influence. He’s pushed me and encouraged me through so much – from helping me with my Greencard to instigating “Sequence 1: Glass Jar”…and working with me to get it done!
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Other: ANGELSPIT and ICE PLANET 9000 team up to release a vinyl sci-fi concept album with lavish tri-fold artwork. Six instrumental tracks plus mind-bending digital audio drama.
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