Returning queerness to Rock n’ Roll, Ok King—who will be releasing their new EP Ballad of a Disco Daddy on December 3rd— plays across New York City (often shirtless), bringing their unique sound everywhere they go. Beyond the Stage got a chance to talk to Jack, the band’s twenty-three-year-old lead vocalist from Rhode Island, about aesthetics, favorite music and being queer.
BTS: Your name is Ok King, how did you pick that name?
Ok: I hang out with a bunch of gay guys. Ok King is a thing that we throw around. “Ok King!”
BTS: To clarify, Ok King is a band? How did you guys meet?
Ok: We are a band. I wrote a bunch of songs and I needed a bunch of people to play them. We met through mutual friends. All the other guys in the band are working on other projects, they have their own thing too.
BTS: How would you describe your sound?
Ok: I had a friend tell me the sound is kind of like Jack White meets the Pretenders at a gay bar. That’s the blurb I like to throw around.
BTS: Who are your inspirations?
Ok: I really like Bowie. That was a big moment for me, finding someone who was that queer and that good at music. But I like a lot of things.
BTS: Did you watch Labyrinth?
Ok: I love Labyrinth. So many people cite that film as a sexual awakening for them.
BTS: Do you have a favorite album or song? Doesn’t have to be Bowie.
Ok: Scary Monsters and Super Creeps is my favorite album. Favorite song is “I Can’t Give Everything Away” from Blackstar. So much Bowie. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up on him.
BTS: How would you describe your aesthetic?
Ok: Queer Rockstar.
BTS: You performed shirtless and in a choker when I saw you. Is that your go-to image?
Ok: I like to change it up. Those pants were made by a friend of mine. I was initially going to wear ass-less chaps and a leather thong. Couldn’t get the thong. I see a lot of people get on stage in jeans and a t-shirt. It’s boring. You watch music with your eyes. It’s important to have an aesthetic that makes the audience excited. People are in the space to watch.
BTS: I’m guessing you have much appreciation for someone like Lady Gaga then?
Ok: Yes, of course. It’s interesting tapping into gay culture right now from a rock n’ roll perspective because it’s populated by gay icons who aren’t gay. That’s what I strive to be, a gay icon who’s actually gay.
BTS: What got you into music?
Ok: I can hear music in my head all the time. Full songs are playing. I started the guitar because I needed a way to materialize that.
BTS: How old were you when you first started hearing the music?
Ok: I started getting into it around 5th grade.
BTS: Do you come from a musical family?
Ok: My mother can’t even sing happy birthday.
BTS: I saw you at Pianos in the Lower East Side. What’s your favorite place to perform in the city?
Ok: I had a really good time at Rockwood Music Hall. I prefer playing in Brooklyn. I feel in Manhattan people get dressed up and just want to watch. In. Brooklyn, people are ready to dance, have a good time and yell with you
BTS: You’re from Rhode Island. What made you move to the city?
Ok: I came to New York because I was trying to work for this film production company. That turned out not so great so I left. I decided to bite the bullet and do music all the time.
BTS: How has being a gay musician impacted your time in the music industry?
Ok: It’s only an advantage. I’ll be honest. The stories I want to tell are queer stories. That’s why it’s important to include my sexuality in my music. However, I’ve seen others advertise as queer music and it’s all default. I never want to be in a situation where my sexuality boxes in my music which is often a tendency.
Follow Ok King on Instagram to find out where they’ll be playing next and pre-save their EP!
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