Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Krystal King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Krystal , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
With a classic sound, freckled face, and a full heart, rising country artist, Krystal King, brings a voice to Nashville that we have all needed. Originally from Hickory, NC, Krystal King has a fresh take on a true country sound, combining raw and emotionally laced vocals with vivid, imagery infused songwriting.
Krystal is your down to earth “next door redneck” with a real, honest, fun, and quirky personality that naturally seeps into her songs. She’s not afraid to say what she is thinking- whether that’s diving into heartfelt emotions or picking on her husband in songs like “You’re the Reason That I Drink.”
At three years old, Krystal caught a snippet of Alan Jackson on the radio…and the rest is history. Country music was in her bones. She followed this love of music to college where she studied Music Therapy at Appalachian State University (home of Eric Church & Luke Combs) and later worked as a psychiatric music therapist. While she loved being able to use music to help others, Krystal says that country music “haunted” her and she knew she had to follow that passion, moving to Nashville in 2017.
Krystal’s sound has been described as 90’s country with a bit of folk, blues, soul, and rock. Early influences included artists such as Alan Jackson, Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland, Eric Church, and Chris Stapleton. More recently Krystal has been compared to artists such as Alanis Morissette, Bonnie Raitt, and Sheryl Crow. This blended sound has been described as “if Janis Joplin went Honky Tonk.”
Krystal has released 6 original singles produced by Mike Loudermilk (previously producing and playing guitar for Crystal Gayle). Over the next year, She will be releasing songs off of her self produced, Debut Album “Pretty Poison” (CD Available Now). Krystal states “this is my favorite music so far…It is the most “ME” sound yet.”
Touring Nationally, Krystal will be visiting Tennessee, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Mississippi in 2023. She has had the honor of performing iconic stages including the Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room Cafe and Tootsies Orchid Lounge. Additionally Krystal has played several festivals with headliners including Walker Hayes and Craig Morgan and opened for Beth Neilson Chapman (writer of “This Kiss” by Faith Hill).
One of Krystals biggest passions is songwriting, “I wanted to be an artist in the true sense of the word. Not only did I want to sing and be on stage, but I wanted to have a voice through writing and producing my own songs.” Krystal has had early success in her songwriting career as the 2018 winner of the Hickory Oktoberfest Songwriting Competition, 2019 Old School Songwriting Contest, and a co-writer on cuts from Thomas Kavanagh, Kirstie Kraus, Laura Rabell, Taylor Hughes, and Zach McCabe. “Who Am I Gonna Love” a song released by Thomas Kavanagh and Kirstie Kraus, has been featured on The Ty Bentli show and stations in the UK including BBC Radio.
Krystals New Single “Red Wine & White Lies” is coming August 25th. This is a sassy, cheating song reminiscent of 90’s country music. With a catchy slide guitar intro and strong vocals, Krystal tells off a cheating husband ” baby you can kiss my glass” and introduces the first release from her upcoming album “Pretty Poison.”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Country music was honestly in my bones. It started off with hearing Alan Jackson on the radio and turned into a country music love affair that lasted a lifetime. I began to play guitar in middle school and started writing songs in high school, playing my first shows at a local coffee shop in Hickory, NC. I studied music therapy at Appalachian State University and started work at Levine Cancer Institute and Mercy Hospital using music for pain management and emotional processing. I quickly realized that while I loved music therapy, I still had a burning desire to perform. I made the move to Nashville six years ago and now work as a full time country music artist/singer-songwriter, touring nationally. I have put out 6 original songs so far and just finished my first album called “Pretty Poison” to be released in 2024. The first single “Red Wine and White Lies” premiers on August 25th and is a 90’s country cheating song. I’m so excited about this project because I feel a sense of ownership. I was a part of every piece of the creative process and was involved in every single decision. I went about recording in an unconventional way, but the result was a really authentic and original sound mixing many of my influences. You hear a little Sugarland, Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Reba, Loretta Lynn, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Ashley McBride, Lee Ann Womack, and my later folk and rock influences. I feel like I’ve really discovered a lot about myself as a person as well as an artist and have been able to build my brand around being your “next store redneck” and “modern day Loretta.”
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My journey started with just a genuine passion for singing and country music. It was on my mind and heart from an early age and I felt like it was part of my purpose. If something tugs at you that long, don’t ignore it. As I mature in life and my career there are a few missions that I am passionate about. One is mental health. As a music therapist, I have often worked in a psychiatric setting and have seen first hand how music can connect with people, giving them an outlet to express how they are feeling and to provide a sense of belonging, knowing they aren’t alone in these feelings. My songwriting is very often story based and dives into various emotions – from dark feeling of sadness and desperation, anger and sass, or hopefulness. I hope that it meets someone where they are. Another goal of mine is just to bring people together and give them an opportunity to have fun and laugh. I write a lot of funny songs and I think sometimes its nice to be able to break the tension and just poke fun at things. I think laughter creates community and helps us to not take ourselves so seriously sometimes.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The whole thing. For one I get to make music – I get to sing and write songs and it’s something I am passionate about, so it’s fulfilling. It is something I want to get up and do. Even the boring things like emails, social media, marketing I enjoy because I know they are needed to do the part of the job that I love the most. Secondly, I love to opportunity to meet new people and develop relationships with them. Some of your fans become like family and it is so rewarding to see something you created and are passionate about, connect with someone else. People are odd and unique, so I enjoy meeting characters on the road. Lastly, I’ve always been restless but this job allows me to constantly see new places and have new experiences. Just this week, I went on a new hike, walked around Washington D.C., saw the house Patsy Cline Grew up in…all because of the job I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.krystalkingmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystalkingmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Krystalkingmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqQEfVafUT3lok5xGtzoeOg
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@krystalkingmusic
Image Credits
Chelsea Smith Photography