A Quick Chat with Indigo King

Congratulations on the release of "Wednesday". The song captures both the beauty and pain of holding onto someone long after a relationship has ended. Was there a particular moment or memory that sparked the song?

Thank you so much for the congratulations and interview! Wednesday was born from a big heartbreak and speaks to the grief and loss of a significant relationship. Through the production process, it morphed into something more accepting, and I was able to process a lot of feelings and make amends with realities that were in front of me. I’m not sure I would’ve reached the same conclusions had I not written that song. Music is really magical for that reason and I feel grateful to have it as an outlet.

One of the most striking ideas in the track is how something as ordinary as a day of the week can become emotionally loaded. What is it about everyday moments and memories that inspires your songwriting?

Someone very near and dear to me once said the more personal, descriptive and niche something is the more universally understood it becomes. A day of the week is obviously very universal but the routine and weight that Wednesdays hold for me personally and in my past relationship was significant to me, which I hope means it can hold significance and meaning for other people in their own ways. Wednesday is a symbol for the habits we have with each other and how the disruption and explosion of those routines can shake us drastically. It can feel very difficult to navigate the days and weeks when a significant other is no longer part of our daily structures and that is what the song draws on.

Your music sits in an interesting space between indie-pop, alt-folk and electronic music. How did you arrive at that sound, and were there any artists who helped shape your musical identity?

My three big influential artists are Nick Hakim, Dora Jar and Dijon. I have made a lot of music that sounds nothing like any of them and I’m honestly not sure if you can hear their influence in Wednesday or any other songs that I have written. Nick Hakim has been a huge musical pillar and inspiration for me since I was probably 13 or 14. I discovered Dora Jar and Dijon years later but they have been equally influential and important in helping me navigate my musical identity and shape what sort of sounds I want to make and musical space I want to be in. I think the through-line between all three influences is their rawness and willingness to be honest in their experiences. I admire that vulnerability greatly and it is what I purposefully strive for in my own music.

"Wednesday" feels incredibly intimate, almost like reading pages from a diary. Do you find vulnerability comes naturally when writing songs, or is it something you've had to become comfortable with over time?

I have definitely worked on being more honest over time. I like the idea that songs are confessions and an unfolding of feelings that may be difficult to confront. But when you are truly honest with yourself it is so clarifying and I think becomes a lot more relatable as a listener too. I have definitely avoided the truth in my songwriting in the past but also in my life and relationships. I am trying to embrace being more honest even when it’s a bit shit to admit certain realities about yourself or a relationship. Working through those truths and welcoming them in is very freeing and powerful.

The production balances warmth and atmosphere with some huge emotional peaks. How did you and producer Hudson Grant approach building the sonic world around this song?

Wednesday started off as a very spacious track from a production perspective. When it was first written and recorded, it was just vocals and piano, with a few subtle textural elements here and there. I initially envisioned it remaining as a sparse ballad with minimal layers but throughout the production process, it gradually revealed its natural shape and tone. Over time, it developed a sense of scale that we fully embraced. We recorded the vocals and piano together, which was an unusual process for me, as I typically build vocals on top of an instrumental foundation. I think that approach brought a greater sense of intimacy to the performance. The darker guitar layers and the vocal hook in the choruses came later, and once those elements emerged, Wednesday was really born. Introducing auto-tune in the choruses was a real moment of realisation that we can do whatever we want with the song and it doesn’t have to fit into a certain box. I was really excited by the sound that we were uncovering.

You've described your songs as tracing the intersections between yourself, other people and the world around you. What themes or questions do you find yourself returning to most often as a songwriter?

If there’s one question I find myself returning to again and again, it’s: “Why did I do that?” or “Why did they do that?”. Through songwriting, I’m always trying to make sense of my own decisions, as well as the choices and impulses of others in relationships. It can feel repetitive at times, but there always seem to be new situations, experiences and emotions to unpack. Sometimes I am unable to escape writing about the same experience or relationship for years after the fact and it does feel like I am constantly returning to the same questions again. Hopefully I will have some new answers soon.

As a relatively new artist introducing yourself to listeners, what do you hope people learn about Indigo King after hearing "Wednesday"?

I hope people take or learn whatever they want to from Wednesday. Sometimes you hear a song at the right time and it can be incredibly impactful and sometimes it does not move you at all. If it catches the right ears at the right time and people enjoy it, I am more than happy with that. I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into one musical category too much but I think if listeners enjoy Wednesday, they will enjoy what’s to come.

Melbourne has long been known for nurturing unique and genre-bending artists. How has being part of that creative community influenced your development as a musician?

I feel very lucky to be surrounded by talented musicians all the time. My friendship group is almost exclusively creative which is incredibly inspiring and motivating to be around. I have felt daunted in the past about the pressure to fit into one genre as I am interested in a lot of different sounds. However I have learnt over the last few years through observing my close friends and the musical community around me, as long as the music is authentic to you and comes from within, your ‘brand’ and assigned musical box is irrelevant and can inhibit you from making what you want to make.

Triple J Unearthed reviewers have praised the detail in your production and described you as a major new talent. How has the response to "Wednesday" compared to your expectations going into the release?

I’m incredibly grateful for the reception to Wednesday so far. I’ve been recording with Hudson Grant for a few years now, and it feels really exciting to finally start sharing what we’ve been working on and to feel proud of it. Through this process, Hudson has become a dear friend as well as a wonderful collaborator. His attention to detail and willingness to dive into the nitty-gritty of every song is inspiring, and I feel very fortunate to work with someone who brings so much care and respect to the music I make. I’ve tried not to place too many expectations on this release, especially knowing that it’s only the beginning. Still, the experience so far has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to see what comes next.

"Wednesday" feels like the beginning of a larger story. Is this single a glimpse into a broader body of work, and what can listeners expect from Indigo King over the next 12 months?

I am recording regularly and continuing to cherish that creative relationship with Hudson. I have a few things in the pipeline and listeners can expect more music throughout this year as well as more shows. I am enjoying being slow and thoughtful with what I am releasing and focusing on staying present and making music that feels true.