INTERVIEW: KING — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

KING

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THE terrific KING has been talking with me…

about her new single, Mango, and its unique origins. I ask whether there is more material coming our way and, as a Danish artist, what the scene is like in Denmark; which rising artists we need to check out; if there are going to be tour dates – she shares a treasured memory from her time in music.

I was eager to discover how much came into her life and, as a dancer, whether she brings that experience and movement into her videos; whether she gets chance to chill and unwind – KING provides advice to artists coming through.

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Hi, KING. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, there. I've been well, thanks! I’m currently in sessions; always grinding…!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’ve been putting out music since 2016. I started releasing stuff via SoundCloud. I was recording with producers in Copenhagen first, then I was in Oakland California with some old-school Hip-Hop dudes and then I ended up with a creative bunch in Stockholm. My first ‘properly’ released track, Promise, was recorded in Stockholm and then I flew to Cuba to shoot the video with an old friend of mine. He is white, so ended up spending a few hours with immigration there.

Mango is out now. Is there a story behind the song?

So many things I could say about Mango; don't know where to start. Mango is Cuban slang for a ‘hot guy’. Sounds crazy, but I wanted to write a song surrounding a mango for a while and this spring it just hit me. It sort of just came to me in the studio when I was writing the song.

We were vibing heavily with each other, Crille and I (the producer), and we more or less jammed into it and the song started taking shape. We ended up bringing a couple of Copenhagen/Cuban guys in on piano, drums and all sorts of percussive stuff. We had a proper Caribbean vibe going on!

I'm not gonna lie; this record was the hardest record I've made. Once we got the demo cut, it was a very tough process getting the record actually released. I fought a real battle with the label and producers to see it through but I triumphed ultimately, so it’s very dear to me. As far as the writing goes and studio flow, it was a smooth and beautiful process and I believe the song retains that vibe.

You are a dancer and choreographer. Do you think it is important to bring a lot of movement to your music and videos?

I sort of automatically think in movement and rhythm and I can even think out specific movements and visual cuts as I write songs. I intertwine with it I guess….

We flew to Barcelona to shoot this video; most of it is filmed in Saint Cugat. I really love that town and I wanted to film there with friends. It felt so special to do the video there. So, basically, everyone in the video is friends. We brought the whole cast in for the last scene in my video.

Might we see more music coming along before the end of the year?

I’m in the studio in Los Angeles throughout September. I try to do different things and challenge myself and everyone around me, so you could pretty much expect anything from me. So be ready.

Do you recall when music came into your life? Do you recall the first record you bought?

Listening to Marc Anthony, Niña Pastori; Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears; Robyn, Lil John and Chingy to name a few. I think all of the above has influenced my music. The first album I held in my hand was a Madonna C.D. First one I bought was the Kevin Lyttle single, Turn Me On.

Might we see more music coming along before the end of the year?

Yes. Working on my follow-up to Mango as we speak. It will probably be way different than Mango….we’re playing around tons of super-sh*tty lo-fi Electro synthy stuff. Sounds real Germany. Hahaha.

You are a Danish artist. Is there a strong music scene there?

There are sooo many new artists and can’t even keep up. But, I would have to say that the producer Snavs is my favourite. I also work with him and we just released a track on his new album, SS18.

What do you hope to achieve in 2019?

My debut album will be out in the spring! And I hope for world peace!

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I played a college festival this summer. That crowd was so great. It felt like the summer of '67 in there. It was all love and good vibes. Incredible…

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I would definitely have opened for Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin. I heard she hated air conditioning, so I can relate.

Put MINIMUM twenty-six degrees Celsius in my rider! With Michael, I would have asked for a complete replica of his silver glove at that show.

Are there going to be any tour dates coming? Where are you heading?

I will be in the studio for pretty the remainder of this year. Working on my debut album - which will be out in the spring of '19. So, I hope to tour heavily surrounding that release!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Oh, man - too soon for me to give advice to anyone. Stay true to yourself, I guess. That’s the only way…

IN THIS PHOTO: Yoshi Flower

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’ve been a big fan of Yoshi Flower since his first demo. He’s this Detroit kid that’s got this Hip-Hop, rockin’ vibe with a very authentic sound going on. Mavi Phoenix is also awesome. I think she’s from Austria…