We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Connor Ek. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Connor below.

Connor, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

The biggest thing that sets me back really is the feeling of not knowing where I want to be. I had a large period of time where I was just in limbo genre-wise and not sure how I would perform. I had a ragtag set of songs that I’d play but most of the time, I was so unsure of where I stood that these songs fell on deaf ears. Playing songwriter-esque songs for a spot more suited for rock, and too soft for a honky tonk. I felt that I didn’t know what I wanted to do with the skillset I had, bouncing from a different live backing band at every show, I was really just unsure of everything, and if I had the cajoǹes to be a legitimate solo performer. I took the summer to start to change my set, write new songs that were more focused lyrically and instrumentally, and really just drop the “indie” (or the reformed genre that has become indie) from the songwriting process. Stripped down, acoustic centered songs that could be played loud enough for a venue, but still transferable enough to play for an intimate unplugged setting. This is where my suitcase drum one man band idea comes in, to be able to get a crowd moving to the song, rather than crooning over soft acoustic guitar. I wanted to change the picture, and I was able to really shake things up once I really watered everything down to its essentials.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Connor Ek, and I record and play behind my music project King La Jolla. I guess I respond to being called KLJ, but it really is just a project name to be my musical outlet. I started playing guitar when I was 12, and was self taught from 14 on. I played in bands throughout High School, but started the KLJ project around 2018 releasing little garageband demos online. The outfit has changed over the years and has been a full fledged band a couple times, but has really been my passion project to bend genre ideas for a live setting. I started in the “Surf-Indie-Alternative-Pop” melting pot for a while before really doubling down on ideas of Americana and Cosmic Country.

I really make an effort to bring an intimate yet electric performance as a solo act, as many fall under the shadow that large ensembles bring to the table. I use a suitcase drum made from an old Samsonite luggage case with a tambourine fixed on it to bring a beat to my songs, acting as my own “drummer” using some kick drum pedals while I stand or sit. I had built the drum summer of 2023, spending the time following that by creating a setlist that bolsters the percussion setup I use.
I’m proud of the ability I’ve had to bring my ideas to life by playing shows where I can really belt these songs out. I feel as if they don’t have the same kind of life being played to an empty room, and that a crowd brings me a sense of belonging; like “Oh, people are really moving along to this, I enjoy this”.

I want people and those involved in music to know that not every artist needs a 4 or 5-piece band to really bring their ideas to life, and that I want to leave a lasting impression on those people that I was the person to change their mind. I want to be more than just this guy that plays acoustic songs, and thats where the grandiose identity of King La Jolla comes in to fill that role as something more than just the Connor Ek show.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I think the biggest thing driving me is not to sell out shows, write albums, or be the best at anything – it’s that I want to see myself succeed at the little things. Connect with interesting people, go see great places, do good things. Seeing myself happy amongst a life in music is something I want to really work for, to connect with other individuals that love to do this little music thing, create memories I wont ever forget, and try my best to project that happiness to others I meet. Don’t get me wrong – playing big shows brings me great joy, but when I look back, the people I meet and the feelings I feel is all that really matters. I will always remember spending the night after a show with old friends and new ones more than any mess up I made on stage, and I will always strive to not let that feeling dissipate.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Oh man I wish I knew how to just reach out to people. I had this cloud of like “well they’re going to think I’m entitled” whenever I thought of y’know, asking for help with anything. I wish I knew that most people are great people, and with the right level of attitude and respect, you can go far.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kinglajolla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinglajolla/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/kinglajolla

Image Credits
Hayden Campbell, Reese McKee, Daelynn Dugger, Connor Ek