Snake of Envy and the Birth of Elemyst: Karl’s Path of Music, Identity, and the Exploration of Temptation, Choice, and Growth
- The Daily Mirror Rppfm 98.7
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
CHAT SESSION 141 with Karl
Topic- Sound, Identity, and the Courage to Create
Monday 19th January 2026 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
Being a third-generation musician, Karl’s exposure to music began in the early 1980s while still in a highchair. His father was practising trumpet for weekend professional jazz gigs, and during a brief pause one day, baby Karl sang the notes that were about to follow—an early moment that would inextricably link him to music for life.
The years that followed became an exploration of multiple facets of the performing arts, including theatre, film and television, dance, modelling, costume character work, martial arts, attempts at learning several musical instruments, teaching music, and DJ’ing.
The journey, however, was far from smooth. For every success and positive experience, there were just as many character-building rejections and setbacks—failed piano exams, unsuccessful dance auditions, being cut from commercials, ensembles, and sporting teams. Through it all, one constant remained: a deep love of music and its role as the ultimate outlet for self-expression. Where Karl often struggled to fit prescribed moulds in jobs or challenge prevailing beliefs and opinions, no such barriers existed in music. It became a space where meaningful connection could be formed with anyone.
Throughout his musical exploration, Karl followed two parallel paths: that of a selector and a creator. Selection evolved into a 21-year career in DJ’ing, becoming his greatest learning experience in understanding how music moves people and how productions truly work. Drawing from crowd energy, musical knowledge, and emotional intuition, Karl learned to enhance the vibe of any setting and reflect it back to the audience.
Running alongside this was his path as a creator—writing and producing original music from the ground up, blending acoustic, electric, and electronic instruments. He discovered that his most authentic form of expression emerged through his singing voice and electric guitar, underpinned by electronic textures informed by his years as a DJ.
Working from his home studio, Karl’s creative process is rooted in experimentation and trial and error. Rather than creating what is expected, he allows himself to be guided by what genuinely excites him. This results in music that invites movement while telling stories of change and transformation from multiple perspectives. Lyrically, he explores themes such as superstition, struggle, legacy, liaisons, temptation, and introspection—encouraging listeners to engage in thought-provoking conversations beyond fleeting trends. At the heart of the music is a simple message: it’s okay to follow your own path, however unconventional it may be.
“I reached a point about a decade ago where I released a self-produced album with a sound, I was proud of,” Karl reflects, “but I realised it was ultimately a product of my influences. I felt lost without a clear visual identity or brand to support it.”
Rather than giving up, Karl quietly committed himself to refining his songwriting and production skills—writing more music, learning the craft, and gradually building a professional-level home studio. Fast forward to 2025.
Enter ∑ L E M Y S T
Elemyst is the new musical project Karl is launching now, offering a renewed sense of identity and creative freedom to explore a distinctive sound, style, and image. The name itself is a portmanteau, fusing electronica with mysteria—a reference to unknown elements that form existing matter. The sigma symbol within the logo represents unity: the joining of ideas, genres, and visual elements, reflected in the project’s deep purple and electric blue palette.
Elemyst layers Latin percussion over electronic bass and beats, with guitar influences drawn from jazz, fusion, ’80s rock, and new wave. The fusion of stylistically different elements is central to the project’s appeal—prioritising emotional depth, groove, and danceable rhythm in a musical landscape increasingly shaped by homogenisation and artificial generation.
The first release under the Elemyst moniker is “Snake of Envy.” The title was initially inspired by observing federal politicians during question time, but its meaning extends far beyond politics. While it can be interpreted through the lens of the biblical Adam and Eve story, for Karl it represents temptation as an inherent part of the human experience—whether through consumption, behaviour, or choices we make.
The song explores acknowledging temptation without judgement, learning from past experiences, and gaining wisdom for future decisions. It asks listeners to look deeper and understand what they are truly craving beneath the surface, while also reminding them to remain playful and compassionate with themselves. Ultimately, Snake of Envy embraces the idea that making mistakes is part of learning, growing, and figuring out life.
How do you feel when you look at yourself in The Daily Mirror?
“I remember that all mirrors distort the truth and that’s okay, but I see someone confident in travelling his own path and I feel contentment with that. It’s okay to do your own thing in your own way.”
Follow Karl / ∑ L E M Y S T on:
Instagram: @karldjmc
Instagram: @elemyst.music
My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the
‘The Daily Mirror’
YOU SMILE
EMBRACE BEING YOU
AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!
To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com
'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.
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