An Interview With The German Turned LA-Based Singer EMMI KING!

Meet the Los Angeles-based singer, Emmi King!

She’s originally from Berlin, Germany and is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the drums, guitar, bass and piano. In the studio, she sings and plays all of the instruments herself.

Her brand new single “Million Dollar Movie” talks about finding a love that would consumer her, just like the one in a ‘million dollar movie.’ It recently became available on Spotify and all streaming services.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE TRACK ON SPOTIFY

Emii was personally invited by the multi-platinum producer Kerry Brown and Linda Perry’s We are Here Management to open for LA-based rockers Dorothy in Boston.

She has toured with the legendary hit band, Mother’s Finest and surf rocker Donavon Frankenreiter.

Connect With Emmi King Here:

Website: emmiking.com

Instagram: EmmiKingOfficial

Facebook: EmmiKingMusic

Learn more about Emmi King in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you? 

 I actually just finished my last exam for this semester and am about to film my music video for “Million Dollar Movie” this evening, so it’s a very exciting day!

Now that we are half-way through the year, how has 2019 been treating you?

 There’s been a lot of great things happening on the music front this first half of the year, I started the year with recording my new single “Million Dollar Movie” and am currently filming my music video to be released soon.

What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?

Musically I am happy to finally release Million Dollar Movie as new single and music video and to produce a new EP towards the end of the year.

Besides music, I am finishing my university degree this year, so I am looking forward to graduating!

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music has always been fascinating me and soon became a passion. I started playing the drums when I was six years old and took lessons at an early age. This shaped my music style up to today. People like to say that I “play the drums” on every other instrument as well. So the drums are my music’s origin. I’ve always wanted music to play an important role in my life, no matter if as a career or passion.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

Music is my passion and heart-project. I study business at university and also work in management consulting, which means I have a really busy schedule at the moment focusing on three things at the same time. But I love the exciting combination of activities and am of course looking forward to be focusing more on music in the future.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career?

I never expected my music career to grow so fast and become as important to me as it is today. The more I write new music, the more I want to focus on music. I am proud for all opportunities I had so far, it’s been an amazing journey already.

What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

I feel like the music industry is unpredictable and there is no exact right or wrong way of doing things. That makes it a real challenge and exciting at the same time.

Let’s talk about your newest single called “Million Dollar Movie.” What was the inspiration for this track? 

I was writing this song in different steps, but the idea came to my mind when I was watching a Hollywood classic movie. I’m referring to the desire that a lot of people have while watching these movies – to feel like every decision and moment feels as important and epic as it is displayed in a million-dollar movie script, such as James Bond, or the Ocean’s movies.

In the second step of my songwriting, I transferred this desire and tried to find out what it means in everyday life, how to become happy and how things feel meaningful, thinking of every dimension: self-realization, passion for all your activities, relationships, freedom.

Do you have plans to release more new music soon? A full collection of new tracks? 

For sure, I’m planning to produce and release a new EP towards the end of the year.

I’d love to know what is like singing and playing all the instruments when you go record in a studio? Why have you chosen to do this?

I’ve started playing the drums at a very young age and that shaped my musical style up to today. When I was spending a high school year in the United States as an exchange student I learned the guitar, bass and piano. Ever since I’ve always loved playing all instruments by myself in the studio, it allows me to completely realize my imagination and ideas. Ever since my first EP in 2015, I record all instrument in the studio on my own.

Where can people see you perform next? Do you plan to tour at all this summer or later this year? What has been a favorite performance of yours so far?

I plan to tour in the United States in 2020 after my university graduation. Later this year I also play a lot of single show dates that I’m excited for. My favorite performance so far has been my gig with Dorothy at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA as it was my first performance in the States.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music? 

I think – especially as I haven’t had a lot of live experience – my live show gets better with every single performance. I remember my first performance where my biggest worry was to tune my guitar fast enough in-between songs. Now I love sharing my songs on stage. I also write different lyrics about different topics; I believe more mature ones.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? What has social media done for your career so far?

Social media has grown to be an important part of my music marketing and fan communication. I especially like to communicate over Instagram, a platform that allows me to reach a lot of my fan groups. In general, it is always a challenge to create enough and new content in a fast changing environment.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

I’ve always had a passion for alternative bands that nobody knows. I would be the first one to know their lyrics. But I also listen to bands like The Black Keys, The Fratellis or The Bravery a lot.

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

I would produce my song “Million Dollar Movie” like a real “Million Dollar Movie”. I’d take the Oceans’ cast and film my own million-dollar movie plot.

What has been the coolest place/TV show/commercial that you have heard a song of yours? Where would you love to hear a future song of yours played?

I really enjoyed appearing on German TV and on one of my favorite radio stations, KROQ in L.A. I’d love to appear in movie and TV- show scenes as the name of my single already proposes that.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music? 

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

I try to touch people with the lyrics I write, to allow people to identify and stand up for self-made rock music, which is quite difficult in a new environment with all kinds of new electronic technology in music.  I hope that people share my passion for music and writing original songs, for playing real instruments in the studio just like the biggest bands in history did.