We had the opportunity to interview alt-pop rising star KiNG MALA for an Artist Spotlight feature! Check out her conversation with us!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I really can't recall ever choosing to make music my career, it just always was what I was gonna do. I didn't really see it as an option; it was what I felt the most pulled towards my whole life. I have been singing ever since I can remember but I started really pursuing and writing music in early high school. I started playing shows, recording and getting my feet wet back home in El Paso, but it was when I moved to LA that I really started to develop my career. There have been a lot of developments and changes throughout, but I’d say KiNG MALA has been my project for about a year and a half now."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"When I start writing a song it's always different but I typically focus on the lyrics first. For me that's where the inspiration really comes from. When I can tell a story and really put myself in the perspective of the character the rest flows pretty naturally. My producer will typically bring me a progression or a sound he likes and from there I let the feeling that the song gives me determine what the story will be and then the lyrics, melody and production follow."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"I’m always very inspired by strong, unapologetic women. Artists like Donna Missal, Billie Eilish, Debby Harry, Stevie Nicks, Amy Winehouse, and Bishop Briggs are prime examples of the type of artist I gravitate towards. They are strong without being ashamed of being too loud or too much for people. I think that is really hard to achieve especially as a woman and especially in this field."
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story?
"I'm absolutely obsessed with my Ernie Ball Music Man bass. It's a tobacco burst, maple neck Sterling Stingray and oh my god it has the most buttery, rich sound. I walked into Sam Ash with a friend one day just to look around and I was so struck by it that I just had to buy it. Her name is Lady."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"I like to lean into my alt rock influences a little bit more live than I do on the recordings. I think it's really fun to make each show unique and bring something to it that you don’t experience when listening to the songs. Live shows are a space to really go all out and give no f*cks. My top favorite things at a venue are great sound and when the stage is a bit more level with the audience. I feel like I can connect with people more when we are eye to eye level."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"I want my music to make people feel brave and unashamed, I hope people know that that is always my goal."
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"Yes! I have my next single coming out in a few weeks and my whole EP dropping this fall! I'm so excited to share this project with people, I have been working on it for a while now and I have never been so proud of something."