King Nun

King Nun really broke out in 2018, but with their latest album ‘Mass’ they’ve matured and really hit their stride. Label mates with the 1975, Japanese House and Wolf Alice, they’re in good company to get some serious traction. In October they played the LCR supporting the Struts, but as they’ll be back in the new year we decided to catch-up with them before they return.
 
So, firstly, who have you been listening to lately? Are there any new bands you’re a big fan of?
 
I’ve been listening to a lot of Death Grips recently; their music is exactly what I seem to need for whatever reason. Then there’s people like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Judee Sill, The House of Fix, Sybil Baier and R.E.M that I love, adore and will always listen to.If the band Sorry count as a new band I love their new single and I’m really excited for their album. I’m really into Night Time by Master Peace, I love the personality in his performance, it feels really authentic and that means a lot to me in music.
 
What song do you love that might surprise your listeners?
 
I love Complicated by Avril Lavigne. It was referenced time and time again throughout writing our album. I’d say we learned a lot from it and became better writers because of it, amazing song. Five stars all the time.
 
What was the first album which blew your socks off?
 
When I was very young my dad played me the album AC/DC Live in his flat. I hadn’t heard a crowd roaring in the background of a song before; I hadn’t heard anything like Brian Johnson’s screaming before; hadn’t heard a guitar act like that. It didn’t make any sense, it was just so far away from anything I'd heard previously. I took the CD and played it back at my mum's place and over a few days it started making sense, like hearing melody in a chainsaw buzz. It’s always like that when I find a new band I love.
 
So, you’ve recently released your debut album, Mass, and it seems to have gone down really
well! Are you happy with how the record turned out?
 
Yes, definitely. I think it’s a really solid bit of work and I’m very, very happy with it. Of course, there are things I think we can do better but that’s just further reason to keep pushing, to keep releasing things.
 
Which album tracks are you most proud of, and why?
 
I’m quite proud of A Giant Came Down at the moment. The chords and the words together touch on something deeply personal and private. It feels like a part of me, and I didn’t intentionally design it to be that way, it just happened. And for whatever reason, that makes me like it even more.
 
Mass is quite open, discussing a lot of different issues – from depression to anxiety – why do you think louder and aggressive bands like yourself are choosing to be more tender with
subject matter?
 
I think it’s just observation really. Unfortunately, it’s quite hard to look anywhere without finding some vein of depression or anxiety, I think. It’s in our friends, our loved ones, the masses on twitter or in the news, it’s everywhere. It would be quite difficult for a musician to not pick up on it. It feels quite oppressive sometimes. I think when louder, angrier bands sing about an issue, the natural way for them to do it is to be confrontational about it. But depression has to be approached with open conversation and hope at heart, so I suppose that creates this tenderness of which you speak.
 
You have a song titled Cowboy, which references problems that face men. A few other bands
are also referencing cowboys, is this part of a wider reinterpretation of masculinity do you
think?
 
I like that a Cowboy is an old face of masculinity that nowadays is the subject of kids’ games and toys. It frames the idea as old fashioned and childish. Maybe that’s why those other bands are using it too? I wouldn’t know.
 
You’ve referenced in previous interviews that a lot of the music on the new album is reflective
of the place you were in at the time of writing – do you think experiencing things first-hand is
always intrinsic to songwriting?
 
Not always, I don’t like to think that anything in particular is required for the input of songwriting. It’s impossible for a musician to not have a piece of themselves in what they make, but I also believe it’s possible to create something from nothing.
 
You’ve said before you’re going for the whole punk band thing, would you agree you’re still
going for that?
 
Fuck, I don’t remember that. I say a lot of things and I change my mind all the time.I used to think that everything needed an answer, but I don’t think that anymore. I wouldn’t agree that that’s what we’re going for, I don’t think we’re going for any genre at all we’re just making what feels good.
 
You’re on for quite a big tour in February! What’s your favourite aspect of touring?
 
Definitely the gigs. Seeing things and being in places I would have never seen or been to if it wasn’t for touring is a close second.
 
What further plans do you have for the future?
 
Lots of plans. We’re already working on the next release, it’s got a name and I’m itching to get on recording it in a few months’ time. We’re working on a few more things in the name of Mass and we’re figuring out some stuff for our live show. We’re moving faster than we ever have before; it’s a little crazy.
 
And any plans for when you come to Norwich?
 
Have ourselves a really good time.