A QUICK CHAT WITH BEFORE THE KING

Can you tell us a bit about the themes behind ‘Cold Shoulder’?

'Cold Shoulder' was the last song Dean wrote about one of his ex-girlfriends – a relationship that was traumatic, and often toxic. Releasing this song is like a full-stop to that difficult chapter – and the song captures the experience of trying your best in a relationship that’s ultimately doomed.

You’ve had a burrito named after you at Beach Burrito Co. How did that come about?

One fine day, our drummer Gabe said (jokingly), “Wouldn’t it be cool to get a burrito named after us?” We did not take this as a joke. In fact, we jumped straight into making stacks of targeted content to try wooing Beach Burrito into making our dream a reality. They saw it, loved it, and a few weeks later we were launching our second single, ‘Argentina’, at their Newtown branch, while our fans enjoyed their limited-edition ‘Before the King’ burrito.

Before The King have an impressive live performance resume – what’s been your best memory on the road or on stage?

We started gigging around Sydney back in 2018, and honestly, every gig we play feels better than the last. One in particular sticks out – our sold-out show at Waywards, in October 2021. The crowd was unbelievable that night – screaming along to the songs, bouncing off the walls, and generally having the best night ever. The memory of that giant sea of people crouching down during the bridge of ‘Fast Machine’, only to explode in time with the song, is one we’ll never forget.

When the floods struck Queensland and Northern NSW earlier this year, you teamed up with Thunder Fox, Mel Blue and multiple other artists to put on a fundraiser at The Vanguard. How was it, bringing people together to raise awareness for those in need?

That was an incredible experience. We were all just heartbroken by the devastation caused by the floods, so to do anything to help felt great. To see some of our favourite acts in the Sydney scene jump on-board was such a blessing. And to then see that gig sold-out to the point of turning people away at the door – that was just unthinkable. It was an unforgettable gig – everyone who came along had the best attitude, and we felt proud of our community.

Who’s the most likely member in your band to get kicked out of their own show?

Dan for sure. The man is an unhinged, hyper-active crackhead with no filter, and we love him like crazy. But he can be a bit much sometimes – it’s only a matter of time before someone gets tired of his chaotic ways.

What comes next for Before The King after ‘Cold Shoulder’?

We’ll be releasing our second EP, All That You Know, on the 12th of August, followed by a regional tour of NSW, and capped off with a headline show at The Lansdowne on the 27th of August. After that, who knows? Maybe we’ll write more music, maybe we’ll get Elon Musk to name a new model of Tesla after us. The possibilities are endless.