Justin Karp is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music is influenced by pop punk, pop rock, and alternative rock. His work reflects elements of bands such as Simple Plan, Story of the Year, Midtown, Nine Days, the Goo Goo Dolls, Hoobastank, and Blink 182. While pursuing a medical career, Karp continues to write and record music, finding time to develop new songs and explore his evolving sound.

A Childhood Surrounded by Music

Born and raised in Plainview, New York, Karp was introduced to music early. His mother and grandmother were both piano teachers, and his stepfather, a lawyer, played blues guitar in his free time. These early influences exposed him to different musical styles and instruments. He recalls listening to his stepfather play blues guitar at night and being drawn to the instrument’s expressive sound.

His interest in music deepened when he first heard Green Day’s energetic guitar-driven rock. Captivated by the power of the distorted guitar, he asked for one of his own for his thirteenth birthday. Once he had a guitar in his hands, he began practicing and experimenting with different styles, which set the foundation for his songwriting.

As a teenager, Karp took his musical passion further by forming a band called 1st Runner Up with his friends. His parents supported his efforts, helping the band travel to local shows where they could perform. During this period, he also attended a concert for the band Midtown, a group that had been one of his biggest inspirations. After the show, he had the opportunity to briefly meet the band members and express his appreciation for their music.

Years later, Karp recorded a cover of Midtown’s song Perfect and shared it on social media. He later learned that the band had noticed his cover and shared it, an experience he recalls as a meaningful moment in his musical journey.

From Accounting to Medicine to Music

Despite his passion for music, Karp’s career path initially led him elsewhere. He began working as an accountant but ultimately realized he wanted to pursue a profession that allowed him to have a more direct impact on people’s lives. This led him to transition into the medical field, where he became a podiatric surgeon.

Throughout this journey, music remained a constant presence in his life. Even while studying for his medical license boards, Karp continued to write and record songs. During this period, he released his first track, Last Chance. The song, which explores themes of heartbreak and personal struggle, was written during the demanding years of medical school.

Karp describes his songwriting as being inspired by real-life experiences. His lyrics often touch on themes of relationships, personal challenges, and emotional resilience. He has expressed that music provides him with an outlet to process emotions and connect with listeners who may relate to similar experiences.

Music, Fitness, and New Projects

Beyond music and medicine, Karp enjoys staying active and engaging in physically demanding challenges. He has participated in multiple Spartan races, an endurance-based obstacle course event that requires both strength and perseverance. He also enjoys traveling and following sports.

Despite his demanding schedule, Karp continues to focus on his music career. He has been actively writing and recording new songs and is currently working on an upcoming single, Living Out of Spite, which is expected to be released in 2025. He has expressed excitement about continuing to share new music and expanding his creative work in the coming years.

You can follow Justin Karp on Spotify, Instagram, and his website for updates on his latest projects.

Published by Anne C.