Start Listening To: KiNG MALA
KiNG MALA has been compared to Billie Eilish and has even worked with some of the same producers. We sat down with the rising pop star and got to learn more about her new EP GEMiNi.
Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and a little bit about the music that you make?
My name is Areli Castro, I'm from El Paso, TX but I’m currently based in Los Angeles. I moved here when I was 18 to go to music school and ended up starting my project KiNG MALA shortly after. I was playing shows for a while when I met my producer Rob Auerbach and we ended writing my whole EP together. It was writing with him that I discovered my love of alternative pop and so we decided to go in that direction for the music.
How does Los Angeles influence your music?
There are so many incredible artists, creators and musicians in LA. I find them all very inspiring. The womxn musicians especially are all so badass. I encourage everyone to check out Donna Missal, Mothica, Royal and the Serpent and Lauren Ruth Ward.
What are the reasons behind the name of this EP?
Well first off I am a gemini and I am VERY gemini haha. When we finished writing the EP and I was trying to come up with a name, I was looking back at all of the songs and I realized that there were these two distinct characters that appear throughout. One is a hyper confident version of myself like you hear in Give Me and the other is soft and vulnerable like what you hear in B4U. The name Gemini felt really appropriate.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
I grew up listening to old school Soul and Blues, people like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles. That kind of music really influences the way I write melodies and lyrics.
How important is honesty in your music?
Its so important. I have a hard time writing a song when I feel like I dont connect to the feeling I am writing about. When I have personal experience with the theme, I write better. So being honest is super important.
The EP was produced by Rob Auerbach and mastered by John Greenham, what was it like working with them?
They are amazing. Rob is a freaking superstar and he is so young. I cant wait to see how he flourishes throughout his career. And John was great too! They are both so encouraging and dig the music which is all I can ask for really.
How does it feel to be compared to Billie Eilish?
It's insane, I don't know if I am worthy haha. But to be in the same sentence as such a genius, I'm very flattered.
What music are you still listening to from when you were younger?
I still listen to a lot of the Soul music that I loved when I was younger, I’m on a big Donny Hathaway kick right now. But I also still listen to artists like Adele, Sam Smith and Amy Winehouse who were so crucial in my journey early on as a singer.
Which is your favourite track from GEMiNi and why?
I think my favourite track is Funeral right now (B4U is a close second) it's the most vulnerable and simple and it felt like such a perfect ending to the EP.
Do you have plans to release anything in 2021?
I do!! I have so much new music I am working that I can't wait to release in 2021.
What are some of your favourite releases from 2020?
Some of the artists I mentioned above have had some amazing releases this year but I think my absolute favorites right now are “younger women” by Verite and ‘BEFORE LOVE CAME TO KILL US+’ from Jessie Reyes.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I just want to say how grateful I am to everyone that has listened to the EP so far, I still can’t believe people actually listen to my music. It really means the entire world to me. <3
