A Q&A with Carly King 💌

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from, what do you like to do etc.

My name is Carly King. I am a singer-songwriter, storyteller, and snowboarder. I was born in New Jersey. I am an East Coast girl through & through.

But I like to say I was "braised" out west. I lived between Wyoming & Colorado for 10 years. That's where I forged my career as a singer-songwriter while working in the outdoor industry. I find comfort and purpose in the outdoors. I love to snowboard and surf. I love spending time with my family & friends; belly laughs, and late nights. I like to walk down beaches and drive up dirt roads. I love to swim. I like long dinners and drinking wine. I love being in the snow. 

When did you first fall in love with music?

I fell in love with music, before I even knew it. From the ages 4-15, I spent every summer under the New Hampshire pines at an all-girls summer camp, "Waukeela" - Think parent trap. 

We sang and chanted all summer long. When we ate, we sang songs about eating. When we conoed, we sang songs about canoeing. When hiked the white mountains,  we sang songs about hiking. When we - you get the picture. So many songs and traditions passed down from year to year. Woman to woman. It taught me at a young age how music can transcend time. I love how music can connect me to people and the world around me.

When did you start playing music and writing your own songs?

I am proudly a YouTube kid. I learned to play through YouTube back in 2009. I've been writing songs ever since I picked up a guitar. 

When I was 12, my mom and I moved in with my stepdad. I was not a happy camper. So, honestly, it all started in spite. I secretly started playing his guitar when he was at work. But it quickly became something I loved to do. It was and still is outlet for me and I'm a way happier camper! 

Where do you find the inspiration for your songs? Can you tell us a story behind one of your songs?

Well Obviously the outdoors but also my lived-in experience of love and loss. I lost my father when I was young, he's a huge inspiration to me, for example, my song "Trust me, Honey"

A few years ago I had this daydream at the end of a hot yoga class. In the dream, I was sitting by this creek my dad used to take me to as a kid and I was watching him fly fish. He didn’t say anything to me and I didn’t say anything to him but there was this overwhelming sense of peace. I think about this daydream often and wonder why we didn’t speak. What would he have said to me?  What would I say to him?  I’ve always wanted to write a song about this encounter and the conversation we didn’t get to have.  

Last winter I heard someone say, “The youth is wasted on the young and tasteless,” and I immediately thought, “That’s something my dad would say.” I never have that thought, so when I did, I knew I had found the perfect hook. 

Then one night when it was snowing too hard to go out, I sat in my room, alone with a glass of wine, and wrote the majority of it. Tears, laughter, and anger were all part of the process. 

Why did you choose to design a print with Skida & put it on the Balaclava?

When I found out Corinne was not only a fan of my music, but the founder of Skida (a brand I was a HUGE fan of) we both knew we had to work together on something. I chose the balaclava because of how niche the product is. I always find those the most fun! I wanted to make something that skiers and riders would cherish, especially when it's freezing and whipping wind! We went with the red print to emulate a red bandana. I'm so stoked how it turned out! 

Mountains or beach?

Mountains. 

What do you love most about spending time in the mountains?

The views. 

Where can we find you next?

 Nashville TN! 

Anything else you would like to share?

Give my music a listen & please connect with me if my music hits or if you're interested in booking me for a live performance! :) 

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