Nashville based King John releases his brand new single “Mismatched” for all those whose Valentine’s Day did not go as planned. EDM Sauce says about the track, “In a genre filled with generic blah after blah, King John’s latest is just so refreshing.”
John MacCallum, otherwise known as King John, is an American songwriter and record producer based in Nashville, TN. Early in his career, he was co-founder and main songwriter for The Henry Millers until they dissolved in 2016 after relocating from NYC. So far he has worked with Johnny Stimson, Grant Terry, Okey Dokey, Camden, Uncle Meg, Bryce Drew and has begun scoring feature films and high-end brand commercials.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with King John about the latest release, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music would you classify yourselves as?
I am from New York but I lived there off and on for most of my life. Recently I moved to Nashville, TN. I would try to avoid classifying the music too specifically. I do hope that as many people can enjoy it as possible and by virtue of trying to reach the broadest audience, you could call it Pop music.
What led you down the path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
I really fell into it. I didn’t even realize I loved making music as much as I do until it was the only thing I was doing with my time. Any free moment had to be spent playing, creating, writing, recording or editing music. I am still struggling to be heard so that is what motivates me. I want the music to be accessible, so I have to keep trying to fulfill that vision.
How is “Mismatched” different than your previous releases? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
Mismatched is a collaboration with another artist Bryce Drew. We wrote the song together and that is something very different for me. Music used to be such a personal process but now I feel much more able to relate to and ping pong off of other peoples emotions during the writing phase. Also I am no longer singing so that is a big change from the music I have made in the past.
Do you face challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? How has technology helped you (assuming it helps)?
Most of the challenges in my life I only realize in retrospect so at the exact moment I am unaware of the possible road blocks ahead of me. I really look forward to discovering what they were during this time in my life and how I dealt with them. Technology definitely helps. I wouldn’t be able to be a producer or record music at the level of quality that can be achieved in house without the advances in circuitry and digital hardware. Also synthesis and the accessibility to it has gone leaps and bounds in twenty years and it is incredible to be in a generation that benefits so greatly from that.
Where can we connect with you online and discover more music?
Facebook Spotify Instagram. I am on all the socials and I try to keep it as a view into my actual life and not just into the brand that I am trying to create. I will be putting out new music very soon.
Anything else before we sign off?
Nope! Thanks for having me!
