Troy Kingi

Where are you from?

Born in Rotorua, raised in TeKaha eastern BOP, now reside in Kerikeri BOI

Was there music around you when you were growing up / how?

My Dad had a lot of records and was in a band with his brothers. I used to listen to a lot of music through my early teens in TeKaha

When did you start making music? How has the music you make changed over time?

I wrote my first song at 16, can’t remember what it was but I know it was bad.

Well, let’s just say I’ve written many songs through a massive spectrum of genres and feel like my songwriting ability is my biggest strength 

Did you participate in Smokefreerockquest? If so, how was that experience for you? 

I did, my last two years of high school - we ended up winning the northland regionals and going on to the national semis. I’m pretty sure I only went back to school the last year to enter the rockquest

Do you have any advice for this year's Smokefree Rockquest participants, or young musicians in general?

Enjoy yourself, enjoy the process - don’t be afraid to move on stage 

You have played on some major stages and had some great media coverage of projects you've been involved in... is there any part of your musical journey that stands out as particularly special / a favourite moment?

Receiving the silver scroll and Tate Awards were major highlights of mine - it helped me feel validated, that my art wasn’t falling on deaf ears

When you're writing, what do you start with? What is your process from beginning to end?

I write the entire song start to finish without penning one lyric. Usually start on a guitar, mash some chords together in an order that’s exciting to me then try and flesh out the structure. Then play with melodies and when I’m happy I find words that marry well with the melody. That’s it in a nutshell

How do you choose what songs to release?

I put it to my team, my band, label, friends - what ever gets the most votes ends up being the single.

Most times there’s an obvious single amongst the pack but sometimes you just need to be told by someone else to see it clearly

What are two things you have learnt along your journey, that you would tell yourself if you could go back in time?

Go easy on yourself when things aren’t going your well, keep working on your craft

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