User:Anotherrabidfan/Scott King, Musician

Scott King is one of the most inventive and compelling independent performing songwriters you'll ever come across. In addition to having a delightfully eclectic sound that sets him apart from most of what’s heard on mainstream radio -- and one heck of a powerful voice to boot -- King is also one of the finest acoustic guitar players around, with exceptional fretwork reminiscent of Bruce Cockburn and Brooks Williams. Boston's Metronome Magazine writes of King's "finger-picking magic," while the Kennebec Journal describes King's style as "articulate, compelling, and sparkling." Rounder Records recording artist Nerissa Nields dubs King "a tremendous guitarist: clear, tender, and fresh.” To be sure, a Scott King concert is a real treat for guitar lovers, but this "pop-oriented singer-songwriter who is conversant in Revolver-era Beatles" (New England Music Scrapbook) will blow you away with one richly melodic, unforgettable song after another.

Critics and listeners alike rave about King's songs which are “instantly accessible,” and “comfortable, as if King breathes air in and music out.” (Northeast in Tune Magazine). In fact, Alan Lewis of New England Music Scrapbook had this to say about the track, "Go, Maria!": "There is an old-fashioned music business term, 'grabber.' A grabber is a standout track from a mainstream pop point of view. It would be very hard to imagine a major label releasing King's album, 'In Your Head,' and NOT choosing 'Go, Maria!' as the first single."

King infuses all his songs with “plenty of hooks,” and “really knows how to write those passages that stick in your head” (SoundCheck Magazine), but this loyal listener has perhaps said it best: “With a lyrical depth that rivals the best songwriters of his generation and tunes that hook you with the first notes, King bridges the gap between the finest Folk and the candiest Pop.”

King began his career in the early 1990’s as a solo acoustic performer in venues throughout New England and later in Europe where he performed in roadside cafes, schools, churches, theaters, and festivals. A grueling gig schedule of 5-8 shows a week between 1993 and 1994 taught King something about being a professional musician and prepared him for the next phase of his career in Boston. King entered the city's thriving Folk music scene, and in less than a year, he wound up a semi-finalist in the Boston Acoustic Underground Competition and a finalist in the WADN Riverbank Songwriting Contest. During that first year back, King also drew the attention of an indie label that built a rock band around him.

King’s discography begins with Xguru’s "Wonder of it All" (1999), produced by Tim O’Heir (Juliana Hatfield, Folk Implosion, Sebadoe, Morphine, Dinosaur Jr.) and recorded at the infamous Fort Apache in Boston. As lead singer, guitarist, and principal writer for the band, King headlined many of Boston’s most celebrated clubs, including Bill's Bar, The Middle East, Aerosmith's Mama Kin, and The Rathskellar ("The Rat"). Xguru performed as the renowned WBCN's band of choice at events throughout the city and rocked numerous colleges and universities such as MIT, Emerson, and Northeastern. The band enjoyed regular airplay on several stations in Greater Boston (including WBCN and WFNX) and on college stations across the country, sharing stages with multiple major-label acts.

Throughout his career, here in the United States and in Europe, King has shared stages and co-billings with many acclaimed artists, including Bill Morrissey, Brooks Williams, Nerissa Nields, Ellis Paul, Pierce Pettis, Jonathan Edwards, José Ayerve, Jud Caswell, Don White, Scott Alarik, Joel Cage, Bob Carlisle, Bryan Duncan, Erik Glockler, Steve Jones, Ginger Cote, The Boneheads, The Watchmen, Evan & Jaron, Angry Salad, Johnny A, and Rick Derringer.

In 2000, King moved on from Xguru, and in 2002 he reignited his solo career. Since Xguru's "Wonder of it All," King has released four solo CD's. "The Thomaston Sessions" (2004) is an acoustic showcase for his exceptional guitar style, melodic choruses, and poignant lyrics. The record introduced King to listeners in his new home state of Maine where Portland’s WMPG, WCLZ, and Maine Public Radio all featured the talented newcomer. On "Portrait," (2005) King "writes with clarity and honesty" (Northeast in Tune Magazine) and firmly establishes himself as an eclectic artist who comfortably and effectively draws from multiple genres -- including Folk, Rock, Blues, Jazz, and Country.

King released a benefit disc ("Wrecking Ball") for Haiti in April of 2007, and followed up two months later with his strongest musical statement to date: "In Your Head." On this "diverse, catchy new album" (New England Music Scrapbook), King continued his musical journey with increasing linguistic prowess and versatile musicianship, drawing from several powerful influences (Paul McCartney, Bruce Cockburn, and Dave Carter among them) to create another eclectic and enjoyable collection of stellar songs. Over the summer of 2007, audiences all over New England were treated to those songs as King was favorably received at his own concerts and by fans of Pierce Pettis and Jonathan Edwards when he joined them on a leg of their respective tours.

Since the release of "In Your Head," King has launched the Beatles tribute collective, The Beatleitos (www.beatleitos.com) and the rock band, Without Paris (www.withoutparis.com) while continuing to write, record, and gig around New England. He is currently working on his fifth studio album.

PRESS

"Scott King is a fine songwriter, singer, guitar-player. He is terrific live, is charming with Nordic good looks... naturally, I hate him." - Pierce Pettis I don’t go out on a limb very often, but I’m right out there for Scott King. Definitely catch his show. Scott has it all: strong stage presence, compelling original material, great voice, and excellent guitar chops. He simply can’t miss. Bob Emery, founding member and former guitarist of Northern Lights “Most of the discs we receive are hot with main action, to one degree or another, through the first few tracks; and then they run out of steam well before closing. But even way off at the end of King's new CD is to be found one of his best songs, the bluesy/jazzy ‘You Stole My Heart.’ This song - distinct from King's several musical and interview references to The Beatles - has a passage which calls to mind a personal all-time favorite oldie, Sam Cooke's ‘Bring It on Home to Me.’” - New England Music Scrapbook “His guitar work is articulate, compelling, and sparkling.” Lucky Clark - The Kennebec Journal “Make no mistake about it. If ‘Go, Maria!’ could get the necessary promotion and distribution, it would be - or at least SHOULD be - all over AC radio and probably Triple-A radio, too, coast to coast.” Alan Lewis - New England Music Scrapbook “A tremendous guitarist: clear, tender, and fresh.” - Nerissa Nields (of The Nields) “Finger-picking magic!” - Metronome Magazine "His music (is) perfect for the bright Maine summer. Sometimes moody, occasionally unpredictable...but always friendly and honest.... instantly accessible... Lush instrumentation... Every song feels comfortable, as if King breathes air in and music out." - Northeast in Tune Magazine “Plenty of hooks teamed with good vocals. Scott King really knows how to write those passages that stick in your head.” - SoundCheck Magazine “Scott King has one of those memorable voices that makes his songs come to life, along with a clever command of lyrical imagery and stout, well-performed arrangements.” - Metronome Magazine