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Among the many many profession strikes Brayden King was contemplating this 12 months was contacting the promoters behind Nation Thunder a few attainable efficiency.
The three-day pageant at Fort Calgary, which can function headliners similar to Tim McGraw, Keith City and Jon Pardi, is definitely one of many higher-profile gigs for up-and-coming nation artists. The Nation 105 facet stage has change into a dependable spot for nation followers to find newish expertise.
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A lot to King’s delight, it appears he was already on their radar.
“It was a aim of mine to get on that stage and I hadn’t even gotten my agent to succeed in out to anyone and I simply obtained an e mail (that mentioned) ‘Hey Brayden, you have been on a listing of artists we thought nice for Nation Thunder; should you’re we’d like to have you ever,’ ” says King, who might be enjoying the Nation 105 stage at Nation Thunder on Saturday, Aug. 19. “I used to be like ‘Oh, nice, that was simple!’ It took place by means of that. I may very well be incorrect, however I really feel like that provide stemmed from the frequency and pleasure of our reside exhibits as a result of we have now been touring continually and bringing individuals out and promoting tickets.”
Whereas he at present lives in Lethbridge, the Weyburn, Sask., native plans to maneuver to Calgary together with his girlfriend by the top of the 12 months. King and his band headlined Ranchmans Calgary on the ultimate Saturday of Stampede and he reckons they’ve performed as much as 15 exhibits within the metropolis previously two years. In 2022, he launched the indie EP, Stay From the Highway, which featured live-off-the-floor acoustic performances of each originals and canopy tunes similar to Pink Floyd’s One other Brick within the Wall and Colter Wall’s The Satan Wears A Go well with and Tie.
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He was additionally one in all 160 performers, out of 120,000 hopefuls, who landed within the high 55 of American Idol and carried out in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. He was minimize earlier than he obtained any airtime, however the expertise additionally appears to have given his profile a major increase as phrase unfold.
Lastly, he has launched full-band recordings of two authentic singles and a 3rd is on the best way. His second single, Livin’ The Dream, has begun receiving radio airplay. Not unhealthy for a 22-year-old, however King admits he’s nonetheless within the technique of discovering his sound. For now, he plans to stay to releasing singles reasonably than intention for an additional EP or full-length.
“I’m not planning on something too large for the time being as a result of I’m nonetheless discovering my sound in terms of recording with full manufacturing,” he says. “I’m testing a bunch of various issues sonically and seeing how individuals reply to the completely different sounds. I don’t actually like pigeonholing myself into one particular type as a result of I’m impressed by numerous older nation, some trendy nation and numerous rock ‘n’ roll as nicely.”
There may be some proof that King wouldn’t match too comfortably into the mainstream nation mould. The title of Livin’ the Dream suggests it’s a feel-good anthem about following your aspirations, however a look on the lyrics suggests the sentiment is extra related to hangover-fuelled sarcasm after a disastrous night time.
“I like doing what I do and I by no means sit down and be like ‘this can be a track I’m going to write down for radio,’” he says. “I like writing songs simply to write down songs with no matter evokes me.”
Brayden King performs the Nation 105 stage at Nation Thunder at Fort Calgary on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m.