Queen Kwong – Without You, Whatever

By starrymag | July 26, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound? 

 

A) It’s basically the soundtrack to whatever I’m feeling in the moment while I’m recording. So, it’s hard to describe in general terms because it’s lyrically and musically improvised. It’s immediate and intimate. I guess that’s the common denominator across all the tracks.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) When I first started playing music I was mostly influenced by The Stooges, Royal Trux, PJ Harvey and Modest Mouse. Now, I don’t really listen to much rock music.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your newest single “Without You, Whatever.” It was completely improvised and recorded on the spot? 

 

A) Yeah, but the music was written/recorded before the vocals. I didn’t like the song when we first made it, so I shelved it and then came back a week later to record vocals. I had to vocally and lyrically approach it from a different angle than the other material on the record. It didn’t come as naturally to me. When I came up with the melody, I hated it. Joe [Cardamone, producer] pushed me to just commit to it and I think he even gave me the words “without you…” and I freestyled the rest from there.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it? 

 

A) It’s a fun, dreamy song on the surface but scratch that surface and it’s pretty dark. So, when I made the video with my girlfriends (Mimi Supernova directed and Laura-Mary Carter co-starred), we followed in that direction by creating domestic scenes that look nice but are a little “off” in some way or another. They’re all a little uncomfortable or fake or lonely.

 

Q) Joe Cardamone lent a hand with production, but how much of a say do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) Since everything is captured in the moment and nothing is pre-planned, our roles as writers/producers/performers of the actual material are pretty fluid and ever changing. To me, Joe’s biggest role as the producer is elevating my initial sound and vision. He recognizes the path I’m on and he pushes me to go farther down that path or take a turn and change direction.

 

Q) With your new album coming out this month (July), what are some themes you will be exploring?

 

A) The record mostly deals with loss and facing mortality. I think everyone can relate to those things, especially after the last couple years.

 

Q) Will you be heading out on tour to promote the album, or will you do live streams? 

 

A) I definitely want to tour and there are some loose plans slowly coming together to do so later this year and next year. I always feel like I’m the most comfortable and honest version of myself while playing shows, but live streams don’t feel like real shows to me. They’re too controlled and planned for my taste, so I can’t say that’s something I’ll do.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I’ve really enjoyed working with my girlfriends on recent creative endeavors and I’d love to do more with them. My BFF and podcast co-host, Laura-Mary Carter, sings on a track off Couples Only and it would be cool to make an entire record with her and a gang of women someday.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) Kendrick Lamar’s new record, specifically the song “Mr. Morale.” It’s been on repeat. He’s really experimental and always pushes the boundaries, sonically and lyrically. It’s honest and fearless which gives it a punk attitude that’s lacking in most modern rock music.

 

Q) Why is being a part of social media such an important way for you to connect with your fans? 

 

A) I guess because it’s the only way to connect with them besides touring. But Meta controls and limits that connection now so who knows. Is this all a simulation? Are we even here right now? Am I really alive?!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work? 

 

A) I’ve drawn some hard lines in the sand, professionally and personally. I’m polarizing in a lot of ways. So, if people understand and support my art that means they understand and support who I am as a person. That makes them more than fans to me. They’re my posse, my tribe, my flock. I’m really grateful for that.