Posted: Mon 23 Jul 2007 02:10 Post subject: Check this out, people...Emily King
Has anyone here heard of Emily King (real name Emily Cowings)?
She is 21 years old, the biracial daughter of two musicians named Marion Cowings and Kim Kalesti. I heard her song "Colorblind" last night and I was so moved. She has a wonderful voice...she's very pretty, too!
Mix soul with New York style and flair and you have only just a part of what Emily King is. She’s new on the scene and her music is dope.
Check out this interview we did with her and if you want to hear her music visit her at http://www.myspace.com/emilykingmusic
1. How much has growing up in New York influenced you musically and lyrically?
A lot. I have been heavily influenced by the diversity of NYC. The ruggedness… every train ride is a new song and story to tell. A lot of my experiences translate into songs. Like “Walk In My Shoes”…. When I hear the song I picture myself getting out of high school…. Fighting through a crowd of over-hyped students… etc… Things from high school.
2. Talk to us more about the song “Colorblind” and what you where really trying to address with this song?
I wrote “Colorblind” about my own experience trying to find my place in the world. Like many of us, I am multicultural and sometimes it can be confusing as to where you belong and what crowd you fit into. So I wanted to address this issue because I feel like a lot of people might feel the same way.
3. So growing up with both of your parents in music was there a time ever you just wanted to do something else like be a FireFighter?
Yes… I wanted top be a doctor growing up. At first I wanted to be a veterinarian and then I wanted to be a surgeon. I used to go to the market and get fish and dissect it. That faded as soon as I found out how much schooling it take to be a doctor. And for a brief moment in high school… I had dreams of being a WNBA basketball star. I used to go to the Sparks and Liberty games. And I went to basketball camp in the Poconos. I realized that I did not want to be a WNBA player when I was faking ankle injuries at camp.
4. So far what has been the best thing about getting your music and your sound out to the public?
So far it has been all the beautiful feedback I have received. Just to see the people in crowd enjoying the music is a great thing. Giving people something to feel good about and have some fun with. Like people on myspace….. a girl wrote me who has a sister who has leukemia… she said “Walk In My Shoes” helps her get through it. It is proof that what you do has an effect on people in the world.
5. So being a New Yorker what do you miss about New York when you travel to other places?
The bodega. 24 hours! Like getting Goya Malta. Charleston Chews… Carmel Chews… Swedish Fish…. In the summer time in New York being on the block all night. There is always some crazy person there to entertain you. It is like a show. The luxury of walking everywhere. MTA transit 24/7.
6. When people finish listening to “East Side Story’ what do you want them to remember most about the album?
If they come away humming a melody that can help them get thru their day or express what they are feeling a bit more clearly, then I am happy. Like my song… “E Melody”…. It is like my morning introduction song. I wrote it as motivation… a get up and go song. That is a song to hum to…. It has a specific line and chant in the hook that makes things feel a little more simple and clear. Sometimes, you can’t use words to make things so clear.
7. So what do you think about the current state of R&B and Hip-hop music today? Who are you listening to?
I think there is a lot of great music out right now, but I would like to here more than the same ten songs on the radio now. Sometimes you have to dig a bit deeper to find the buried treasure. I am digging a girl right now named Crystal Warren. Gnarls Barkley. Amy Winehouse.
8. And finally if you could pick any word from the English language to describe Emily King what word would that be?
Singer/Songwriter/Producer Emily King was born into musical royalty as the daughter of two jazz musicians. Her Italian mother & her African American father performed internationally as a jazz duo, which led Emily to be exposed to the glamour of music in all elements, both positive and negative, from an early age. She always knew her destiny would be to follow in her parents' footsteps.
Emily developed her guitar proficiency as a young adult and started performing in venues such as the Bitter End and CBGB's Gallery in New York City. King then wrapped herself within the culture of Hip Hop and added the elements within her musical mix. She met producer Chucky Thompson, who had recorded hits with the likes of the Notorious BIG and Mary J. Blige, and signed to his production company, which then led her to the signing with J Records. The East Side Story, Emily's debut studio album, was put together in classic form and she's now ready for the world to hear it!
SoundSlam took some time to converse with the lovely songstress about her business relationship with Chucky Thompson, her performances on the Lyfe Jennings tour, and her debut LP "East Side Story". SoundSlam: Let's get things started. How was it growing up in New York with two musicians as parents?
Emily King: It was very interesting! There was never a lack of excitement! I traveled a lot in and out of New York from the nicest hotels to the worst motels. I traveled a lot with them. I was around a lot of musicians and it was an educational experience. Everything was thrown at me at very young age.
SoundSlam: That sounds like a very exciting childhood. So as a young aspiring singer/song writer, which artists did you grow up on and who had the most influence on you?
Emily King: My parents have definitely influenced me the most. I copied there vocal styles and harmonies. All the music they sang influenced my song writing. I also listened to a lot of Hip Hop and R&B growing up. Lauryn Hill was one artist who really influenced me. I sang "Killing Me Softly" for one of my talent [shows] (laughs).
SoundSlam: Lauryn Hill is the truth! So I see aside from having an angelic voice and phenomenal writing skills, you also play the guitar. It's hard to find an artist that holds up to your standards. How did you become so talented in each of those areas?
Emily King: I really just picked up the guitar so I could write music. It was a tool. I always new I wanted to express myself through music. I mix in melodies with my lyrics. I always wanted to express myself musically! Everything takes practice, so I really practice. Every song I hear whether on the radio or wherever, I'm figuring it out consciously and sub consciously.
SoundSlam: Interesting. So what's the story behind you linking up with Chucky Thompson, who is known for recording with the likes of Mary J. Blige, and signing to his production company, which led you to the signing with J-Records?
Emily King: Chucky Thompson, I have known him for about three years now. I met him through a mutual friend, well actually a friend of my mother who worked with her at Sony BMG Music Publishing. I had made a demo in my kitchen (laughs). My mother took the demo to her friend and he met up with Chucky and a few weeks later I signed to his production company. After that we went to a lot of different labels and I sang for them with my guitar and J Records was just the perfect fit.
SoundSlam: I actually attended one of your shows in lower Manhattan a few weeks ago and you blew me away!!! How was it touring with the likes of Lyfe Jennings?
Emily King: That experience was insane. That was a really great growing experience for me. I was on 5 dates with him. But just seeing how other artists put their own shows together was educational. Seeing an artist perform live is where you really gain their respect.
SoundSlam: So give me a quick over view on your debut LP East Side Story.
Emily King: It's me. It's the people I know and the stories that I have experienced. I have written and produced fantastic melodies where people can remember the tracks and sing to them. I just put all of my honesty and soul into this record. I just hope people really relate to the album.
SoundSlam: I actually got a hold of one of your sample CDs and I love all the tracks but one in particular "Colorblind" I can really relate to because I'm a biracial child myself. What inspired you to write a song touching on the subject of being biracial?
Emily King: That's funny because I was just about finished with the album but I wanted to give off one more element of me. I needed a more personal track. It took a minute but I went deep in and wrote a song about being biracial. Just a look can make you feel awkward. I just feel the world needed a song touching on the subject.
SoundSlam: Do you have any upcoming promotional tours in the future?
Emily King: We are starting to go on tour soon. We got that all in the works right now. I'm so excited!
SoundSlam: I will definitely be checking your myspace page to see where you'll be playing. So when can we expect the LP to drop?
Emily King: You can expect East Side Story on June 12th 2007.
SoundSlam: Not to do comparisons but you remind me of a young Alicia Keys and I see your career flourishing. How can people get in contact with you via the web?
'
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in
