A kingdom will last when it’s built on dedication, diversity, and devotion.
King Arthur’s quiet grind laid the foundation for a royal court that’s unlike anything else in electronic dance music. Released on Don Diablo’s Hexagon, the 2016 full-length debut, Believe In The Kingdom, generated a staggering 20 million-plus streams on Spotify as his total cumulative streams surpassed 47 million. The Chainsmokers, Axwell & Ingrosso, Martin Garrix, and countless other heavy hitters have tapped the artist, producer, DJ, and remixer for high- profile remixes, while Kaskade, David Guetta, Tiësto, Afrojack and more regularly spin his music live. He teamed up with Bastille on a remix of “World Gone Mad” for the Official Soundtrack Album to NETFLIX’s hit Bright. He made history by performing at the first-ever dance music event in Pakistan and touched down everywhere from Tomorrowland Mainstage to the Storm Festival.
However, 2017 would present a series of trials and tribulations that inspired him to reassess his direction…
“I spent a lot of time in the summer trying to think about what I’m really inspired by.” he admits, “I don’t want to just write records to fit a trendy sound or the vision of certain labels; I want to write songs that change the world. During this time, I got back into the classic records that influenced me in the first place in the nineties by Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim, and Moby. I began to create with the idea of going the distance and standing the test of time.”
As a result, King Arthur pushed himself in the studio. He switched up his creative process and embraced new tactics for the first time.
“I forced myself to stop using production methods that had been part of my signature sound,” he goes on. “I wasn’t relying on old methods anymore. Instead, I used a ton of analog synths and got outside of my comfort zone. I was drawing on samples too. It really changed up my creative process.”
Signed to Casablanca Records/Republic Records in 2018, he introduces this evolution with “Laidback.” Driven by kinetic percussion, off-kilter sampling, and a hummable hook, the track proves immediately irresistible.
“It’s a bridge from what I’ve done already to where I’m going,” explains King Arthur. “It’s unique for me. It shows that sampling approach with melodies I tweaked over them. There’s a cool throwback feel. It’s got a classic vibe.”
In the end, that classic vibe carries through King Arthur’s forthcoming EP and the “Royal Kingdom” he’s architected one brick (and fan) at a time.
“I look at my fans like a ‘Royal Family’,” he leaves off. “They’re a part of it. I can’t wait to get back on the road and share this new music with them. This is a culture of mutual respect. We’re building a place for listeners to escape to and have a good time. By coming together, we can make a better impact on society as a whole.”
