Interview with King Locus

King Locus is an alternative punk rock artist from Maryland who has been making music for six years. He started building traction in 2019 and has been growing steadily since then.

He has accumulated a passionate fanbase by creating music that is authentic and relatable. Locus writes music based on experiences in his life that he has overcome and he hopes he can inspire his listeners who are going through similar problems to overcome them as well. Alternative music is a genre that is outside the musical mainstream bubble and caters to the people who feel as though they don’t fit in with social norms. Locus makes music for the “outcasts” or “misfits” to give them a safe space where they feel like they can relate to his lyrics so that they know they aren’t alone.

“ When I was younger I went through a lot in my life and I had never felt more alone. I dropped out of high school, lost all my friends, and was dealing with a lot of mental health problems. I had nobody there for me so I put everything I was thinking and feeling into my music. Everyone thought I was crazy for wanting to pursue music and they all said I would never make it and that still drives me to this day to keep doing it. I make music for all the people who feel misunderstood by society because I know exactly how that feels and your thoughts can get scary sometimes when you feel so alone and have no outlet. I want my music to be an outlet for those people so they never feel alone and they know they can overcome whatever they’re dealing with at any point in time.” -King Locus

Who are your main musical influences?

When I was younger my big brothers listened to a lot of late 90s and early 2000s alternative rock so when I decided to start creating alternative music I wanted my sound to reflect the music I listened to as a kid. I took the sadness from Simple Plan, the rebellious sound from Sum 41, and Tom’s bratty punk rock vocals from Blink-182 and put my own emo spin on it to make my own unique sound.

Does your music fit in your local scene? If not, do you see that as an obstacle and what do you think about it?

I grew up in the DMV and alternative music is not popular here at all. It was actually a big problem for a while because when I was first starting I had no idea how to build an audience and I was in just about the worst place I could be for the type of music I wanted to make. Once I realized that I wasn’t gonna get anywhere trying to promote my music locally I took to the internet to start building my audience there and that’s when my music really started getting attention. Now that I have a bit of a following I’ve noticed more of a local audience starting to build which I think is so cool because I’m so passionate about alternative music and I really want it to make a comeback. I really hope I can play a part in that.

What’s your creative process like?

The music that I record directly reflects what I’m going through at that specific time. Like if I’m going through a really hard time I’m going to record music that’s more sad and emotional but if I’m doing really good in life and I’m feeling good I’m gonna record happy upbeat music. I can never force myself to write or record music that doesn’t reflect how I’m feeling at that exact moment because then I feel like my music wouldn’t be as authentic and relatable.

Of your own music do you have a favorite? If so can you pin down why?

My favorite song I’ve ever made would be “GBC” because it is a direct tribute to Lil Peep and the rest of GBC and they were all very influential on the underground emo rap and alternative scene. I also love the sample used in this song taken from “What’s My Age Again?” by Blink-182.

What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?

When I’m working on a big project I like to be in my own world disconnected from society so oftentimes I’ll watch anime to help me disconnect and get into a creative mindset. I also watch a lot of old interviews of rock stars from the 80s and 90s for nostalgia and aesthetics. When I’m working on a single though it’s directly inspired by an event that took place in my life that had an emotional effect on me.

What is your current musical project about?

The tape that I’m currently working on is called “This Is How The World Ends.” This album is going to be solely punk rock and alternative music and it’s been in the works for a couple of years now. I’m making this album to show people that I really can do this punk style music and to prove to everyone who said I couldn’t be wrong.

What makes you nostalgic?

Old video games I used to play on my PS2 and Gamecube. Games like GTA San Andreas, Halo Anniversary Edition, and Smash Bros Brawl.

Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or dragons?

Dragons duh they literally breathe fire.

If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?

Was it worth it?

What would be a good theme song for your life?

Fat Lip by Sum 41

What would be an ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?

Hot dogs and baked beans. I’m trashy I would love that.