Music and Insights From BlondeKing

The music of Blondeking is a combination of Alternative/Progressive music inspired from the late 70’s to mid 80’s; taking inspiration from some of the era’s best bands like Joy Division/New Order, Throbbing Gristle, Echo & The Bunnymen, and Nitzer Ebb. The latest release joins the ranks of music that will stand the test of time!

With “Intimation” Blondeking once again delves into sounds that drove the 80’s underground. Blondeking’s front-man said, “When thinking about this release and the single “Say it” in particular, I wanted to look back to the era of genre promoting pioneers like WaxTrax records and also to explore how digital sampling was shaping music. Alternative dance and industrial music were taking shape in the early to mid-1980s with bands like Ministry, Nitzer Ebb, Cabaret Voltaire, and Front 242. These bands were pushing the boundaries of what synths could do in a different way than more mainstream synths artists were doing. In the early days of all synth bands, many critics called synth music ‘light’ or ‘cheesy’. These bands proved that synths could be anti-establishment and could have a voice that screamed out just as loud as the Sex Pistols.”

Check out his music

As best put by the Artist … Blondeking has open arms. I won’t say certain people can’t like my music and that’s where this kind of thing goes. Me, as a person, that’s different.. but that’s personal. Blondeking has space for everyone.

What first got you into music?

When I was a kid I wasn’t really exposed to much popular music. My parents listened to a lot of classical and some folk. Mom took the time to explain to me how the different instruments worked together, and I learned the difference between brass and strings and such. Those mechanics were very interesting to me and it started changing how I listened to music. As I got older, I gravitated towards music that was different, and I would listen to songs over and over to see how it all came together while still understanding the song as a whole.

Who inspired you to make music?

I have a need to create. I am a designer too and so I have all these crazy things in my head just need a way to escape. I also like creating things that people react to. Not so much in a provocative way but more in line with people that just get it.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

I am a little all over the place but essentially it is part homage and partly just what comes naturally as a mix of alternative and pop in retro-forward kind of way.

What is your creative process like?

I am a really busy person. I sometimes only get a few minutes here and there to work on songs. I generally start with a riff that sets a tone… from there I let it take me where it wants to go. Melodies and words start swirling around in my head. I have tons of a notes on my Mac with lyrics and ideas. I just try to set the tone and the idea down and then chisel away at it until I hopefully have something that isn’t awful at the end. I have been known to produce a song only to trash the entire music behind a vocal and write new chords and orchestration. So, in a way it’s a lot like molding clay.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

This is an easy one. Stephen Hague. I homed in on his work before I knew what a producer was. Just listening to his library of productions is so inspiring. My single “Still Wishing” and it’s B-side “Silent and Awake” were in a way… me trying to channel what I thought he would do. I get to work with Grammy-winning producer Philip Larsen from time to time and he knows Stephen somewhat. I’d never ask but I totally dream about a happenstance meeting that turned into a situation where’d he’d produce my music.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

Peter Hook & the Light. They put on such a great show. So much energy and yet very approachable. You can feel the love Peter Hook has for the music and the fans.

What is one message you would give to your fans?

It would really be to say, “Thank you”. I am so grateful for each and every person that listens to the music. I love looking through the analytics and seeing all the places where the songs are heard, and it just makes me happy. I love it when fans reach out and we can connect over Blondeking’s music and other bands we like… or art or whatever.

What is the most useless talent you have?

I can whistle really loud. Totally useless.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Not really… but we all do sometimes. I mostly make up weird or silly songs or pretend I am an opera singer. It’s awful but the reverb in the shower makes me think I sound amazing.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

I would have loved being in the medical profession. I love connected to and helping people.

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

I have done some shows in the past but being a solo musician, the logistics are difficult. It’s something that I am looking to in the future as Blondeking builds.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

I think there is a mix of good and bad that the internet has brought to music. However, just being able to directly communicate with fans and potential fans has been a massive hit. I love the idea of having label support but in lieu of that it is important that I can do all those jobs and the internet gives me the tools to do that. I am only limited by myself.

What is your favourite song to perform?

I tend to like acoustic version of my synth-based songs. “Perfect You” from my first EP is fun that way however, the remix of “Say It” really has energy.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

There are so many musicians and songwriters that I admire. I think the combination of Martin Gore and Alan Wilder was powerfully creative and amazing. Will Sergeant of Echo and the Bunnymen is such a creative guitarist and paired with Ian McCulloch they have created so many beautiful and inspired songs.

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

Well, I once kicked a can of paint across the room when I was a kid. It burst open and spilled out onto the carpet and was a huge mess to clean up. As you can image, my parents were not too thrilled with that mess.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

There are so many people that have been fantastic mentors in my life who have selflessly helped me succeed. I think treating others as I’d want to be treated has been the root lesson I have learned and try to live by.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I think the industry changes all the time. There are so many services out there to help unsigned artists get what big labels had a monopoly on. It’s only getting better. Choice is what drives change.

What’s next for you?

I am still heavily promoting my “Intimation” EP which part 2 of my study or look back on early to mid-80’s production styles. However, behind the scenes I am working on the next Blondeking EP or perhaps even full length. I have about 16 songs I will likely pair down into working chunks. I have a few other projects in production for other entities… which I can’t talk about yet. Good things are happening and I couldn’t be more grateful.

How important is the current climate crisis to you and how do you think you could help?

I don’t like getting political and it seems like these kinds of discussions always turn to anger and frustration. I’d rather not say anything or use this question. I’ll undoubtedly either not say enough… or use the right words. I’ll just say that I believe that we have obligations to be good stewards of our planet and that can happen better when we are free to innovate solutions to the problems that we face.

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