Kaki King is an American, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter. Her sonic style, a hybrid of rock and folk, is a mix of both instrumental tracks and lyrical songs showcasing an impressive range of technical guitar mastery.
King's first two albums featured more acoustical arrangements, while her 2005 tours used more electric guitars and loops. Her third album was a departure from her previous musical styles. It featured more tracks with her vocals, an electric guitar and a full band. It was released on August 8, 2006.
In addition to her singing career, King has appeared in several Gardasil commercials and appeared in the movie August Rush, where she portrayed the main character's hands and played his guitar parts.
Studio Albums
Awards and Nominations
2007 Golden Globe Nomination for Best Original Score for the film "Into the Wild". King was nominated for the award along with Eddie Vedder and Michael Brook, who also contributed music to the film.
Kaki King wows the TED conference
Kaki King plays a full live set at TED conference in 2008, including her breakout single, "Playing with Pink Noise." King's unique and intricate guitar playing style wowed the audience. Her signature style makes her a unique and stand out musician and equals guitar playing will not have seen before.
Side Project
In August of 2009 Kaki King revealed her guitar art project exhibit in New York City. Previously King has asked twelve artists to interpret one of her songs as a painting on a guitar given to them from King. The idea came from when one of King’s friends suggested she paint her fingers and ‘play’ the fret board during a song so that it created a visual representation of where her fingers traveled while playing.
The guitars were provided by Ovation/Takamine guitars. At the end of the exhibition, King dipped her hands in pink paint and played the song 'Playing with Pink Noise' on her favorite blue Ovation guitar.
King did an open call to find the twelve artists and choose the following people:
- Reni Papananias - interpreting Sad American
- Amanda Hoddy - Yellowcake
- China Morbosa - Night after Sidewalk
- Lennie Peterson - Open Mouth
- Joseph Zacker - Ahuvati
- Kate Havnevik - I need a Girl Who Knows a Map
- Emily Wong - Never Said I Love You
- Katherine Guillen - So Much for So Little
- Eric Rodriguez - These are the Armies of Tyrai
- Morgan Grenier - Can the GWOT Save Us? http://cargocollective.com/kakikingtheexhibition#70922/Kaki-King-The-Exhibition
References
Fast Facts
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Birth Name
Katherine Elizabeth King
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Origin
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Years Active
2001 - Present
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Record Labels
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Fact:
Heralded as one of Rolling Stone's "Guitar Gods" in 2006
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Birth Date:
August 24, 1979
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Resides in:
New York CIty, NY
