Dinah King talks about latest release 'Eyepennies'
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I have always sang. Ever since I can remember I would stand up in front of my family and sing songs from Disney films, memorising every word and practising constantly... my poor wee mama! Music was a big feature at home with myself and my 3 siblings playing every instrument known to man... again, my poor mama! I started singing in my local church age 14 - quickly stepping in to lead the music programme there at 16. When producer Jimmy (Funeral Fires frontman) asked me to work on a few songs with him after a 10 year hiatus, I was over the moon! Then Covid-19 hit the world so with a lot more time on my hands, what started as me singing a few backing harmonies for Jimmy became Dinah King and what you hear now.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
Eyepennies is made up of covers from artists like Billie Holliday and Sulfjan Stevens. It has been curated in my own style to tell a story of sadness, loss and hope. Something we can all relate to.
I have started writing the next album which will be more upbeat and tell a different story.
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM OR SINGLE?
What was going on at the start of 2020 and the way people were struggling inspired the tone but the whole thing really is a taste of my brain! I wanted my first EP to be interesting and the songs to make listeners stop and think.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE ALBUM IN A FEW WORDS?
Different and worth a listen!
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
Fairground Attraction’s “The Collection” was played practically on a loop when I was growing up. That was when I learned how much fun it was to sing and learned to play with my voice listening to musicians like Eddi Reader at a very young age.
I was lucky that my mum had an eclectic taste in music so I listened to everything… as a baby, Jeff Wayne’s “War of the Worlds” was the only thing that would send me off to sleep!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
Not really. I prefer to listen to songs without a visual so I can create my own.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
Curled up with a classic book or in the kitchen.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
Of course! I just keep my mind on the music and try and enjoy myself.
HOW DO YOU WRITE?
I write with my producer Jimmy who is also the frontman for Glasgow based Punk Rock band Funeral Fires. Jimmy is great at making my creative thoughts come alive and you’ll often find us with legs in a basket on the floor with a sea of paper and guitars!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
The good in people and the hope that things can always be better. That’s why I chose Cocaine & Abel for the EP. It’s a sad song that I hope will make everyone pause and self-reflect even if for just a moment.
WHAT IS NEXT?
I’m currently writing some original material for my next album which will be released sometime in 2021.
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