Trudy
Last week, I was fortunate enough to win tickets from a music website, SoulBounce for a performance to see KING on the date of their album release at Le Poisson Rouge. I definitely felt like VIP because I was put on the guest list with a plus one. And my friend Karina was my date.
Le Poisson Rouge is one of many well-known music venues in Greenwich Village. When we arrived the place was already packed with a line at the bar. So it was just my timing that I couldn’t get close to the stage. After the opening act, there was a thirty-minute intermission before KING took the stage. Before I let you hear the group, I’ll tell you a little more about them in their own words on their site, weareking.com.
Twins Paris and Amber Strother and musical sister Anita Bias are KING.Paris produces KING’s songs, while Amber and Anita are the primary singers. The three work together on songwriting and arrangements to create their unique sound, garnering such accolades as Rolling Stone’s 10 New Artists You Need To Know, Pitchfork’s Best New Track, NPR’s Song of the Day and 10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing, Billboard’s 10 Best R&B Songs of 2014, The Guardian’s New Band of the Day and Best Albums of 2013, Metro UK’s Singles of the Week, Vulture’s 8 Best New Songs of the Week, Glamour Magazine’s 2013 Free Holiday Music Campaign, and the 55th GRAMMY Award for ‘Move Love’, their collaboration with Robert Glasper on his Best R&B Album ‘Black Radio’. KING have completed their long-awaited début album and are excited to invite listeners further into their sonic kingdom;
And all that was accomplished before a full album release. Here is the video of their performance that night:
KING performed all their hits with new versions and some new songs for about an hour and most of the crowd knew every word, as you heard in the video. Songs about love and heartbreak, they got the fans caught up in their emotions, I saw a couple of people weeping probably over lost loves. Their voices are angelic, don’t you think? The line for the meet and greet after the performance was overwhelming and we had to leave. Claustrophobia started to creep in at that point, I was so excited that I had turned Karina into a fan. It was definitely an amazing night out. Le Poisson Rouge is located at 158 Bleeker Street in Manhattan and is easily accessible by subway.
Have you heard of KING’s music before? What are you listening to? It’s always nice to try something new, leave your recommendations in the comment section below.
Until our next rendezvous…
XOXO
Trudy
Never heard of them before I must admit, but I like what I heard in that clip, so I’ll check them out. I’m always listening to something lol, but the newest thing I am listening to is the Scottish band Runrig’s album ‘The Story’. It is a very meaningful album to me.
I saw the video in your post about them. I used to intern with a niche marketing company for world music and that’s when I was introduced to Irish music in New York. I saw Black 47 play one of their last performances before they broke up.
Ah Black 47…they were it back in the day. Good memories! Reminds me I need to play some of their stuff again 🙂 I need some more budget to buy all the stuff I want to right now!
They just broke up about a year ago. I didn’t know anything about them at all.
I kind of lost track of them myself. I did not even know they had still been performing as Black 47. But mid-1990’s they were the thing, playing at Paddy Reily’s and up along Bainbridge Avenue
I’m trying to remember all the other groups but I’m at a loss at the moment but have the CD’s in the house. Lol
Do tell me someday!
Sure.
I’ve never heard of KING (I am old) but I like the Poisson Rouge!
I love how eclectic the artists that play there are. It’s a great place on a great block.
Sounds like a fun night! I’ve never heard of KING, but I really like their sound! I’m pretty boring when it comes to music choices.
I hate listening to the same ten songs on the radio. So I try to search out new music from all over.