The Electronic Musician, KING COMPLEX Opens Up About His New Music, Inspirations and More!

King Complex recently dropped a killer electronica track, “Made In America“. The lyrics behind the track examine the deification of criminals by the media, exploring how often in pop culture, criminals and rock stars vie for the same cover story real estate, offset by raw beats, filthy ambiance, hooky glam-rock guitars, ominously soulful vocal refrains, and gorgeous soaring lead vocals.

King Complex is the new project by singer-songwriter, Bracher Brown who was mentored by a great many artists and producers, most notably Mark Bryan (Hootie & The Blowfish), Tony Lucca, Matt Duke and Todd Carey whom produced Bracher’s solo record. His new music is decidedly a turn away, though King Complex does reflect the benefit of all of those early experiences. “Made in America” is unique in that Bracher has set to explore the endless possibilities of electronic music, altering the perceptions of what people believe when they hear the term “electronic music,” with an original, rock-filled sound.

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

Thanks so much for your time! So, how’s 2015 been for you and your music?

It’s been good. We’ve gotten some cool feedback from the music, different videos in the works, and more music still to be released.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

I was pretty into sports when I was a younger kid- I think I probably wanted to play for the Orlando Magic or something until around middle school. I played a decent amount of music, but I don’t think it was something that seemed realistic or came on my radar until I was maybe 15 and really started digging into the guitar. I don’t know why but I’ve always remembered when I was really little having a car seat that went across my lap. It had a bunch of rectangles on it with different colors and on car rides I would pretend I was playing piano to whatever was on, probably Tom Petty or Elton John at the time.

How did you come up with your name? What other names were you considering? Why did you ultimately decide to go by something other than your real name?

There was a relatively short list of names if I remember correctly. At first I wanted it to sound like it could be a rapper like Tyler, the creator or something but couldn’t find anything that cool. Then I started thinking about the character in these songs and what would suit him best. King Complex made the most sense as he didn’t quite have the god complex but it’s pretty close (also the other names were horrible).

I wanted to name it something for a few reasons. One, I didn’t want anything I had put out in the past to interfere with peoples interpretation of what I’m doing now. Two I didn’t want this to be some attempt to sell my character or my personality, I wanted the focus to be on the message and the art itself. I think when you take the name out it makes it easier to view it as what it is instead of associating it with an individual. Lastly, putting my name on it insinuates that it’s me and only me, which already isn’t the case. I want this to expand and be a project that seeks to put out the best art and the best product possible whether it’s solely my ideas, a result of collaboration, or even just someone from my camp. No ego involved

Can you talk about your newest track, “Made In America”? Where did the inspiration for it come from?

“Made In America” came about right after “To Pimp A Butterfly” came out. I was listening to it a lot and thought Kendrick Lamar was taking a risk by making the statements he was making instead of being safe on a sophomore album and writing club bangers and radio songs. I respected the hell out of that because whether he sold a million records or not, he had something to say, put himself on the line, and made a record that feels really important.

I wanted to make something that I felt was an honest depiction of the world as I see it, or as this character would see it, and I wanted to be able to say win or lose I made something that I feel good about.

How did you come up with your electronic-rock sound? What inspired that particular sound?

I always wanted to be a one of the classic guitar rockers, those were the guys I idolized when I started playing. Unfortunately that sort of thing has become somewhat outdated. I saw a few electronic shows and thought I wanted to do that, but I’m kind of a shitty producer so that was out the window as well. Then I thought maybe if I combine these two things that I do kind of well, I’ll make something that’s not so bad. I think I’ve done just that.

Who are some of your favorite artists? Who would you love to work with one day?

I’m a huge fan of all the classics from the 60’s and 70’s. The Beatles will always be my number one I think. Lately I’ve been listening to The Strokes a ton, I’m a big Kanye West fan, Tame Impala, the list is pretty long. Hiatus Kaiyote would be cool although I’m not worthy of even shining their musical shoes. Bassnectar would be gnarly, Childish Gambino, Frank Ocean. That answer changes from day to day.

What do you hope is the message of your music?

I really hope that it makes you feel something, anything at all. I want to encourage people to really feel it and follow that feeling as far down the hole as you can. Generally there is progress at the bottom.