Shape King has released two songs, but still there remains some mystery around the guy behind the project. Through his playful electropop songs “We Are Together” and “Odyssey” (which we both reviewed) we get to know him as a socially aware musician, creating pop music with a message. “We Are Together” is about how we as human kind are One on our planet, which is not only something just to remember, but to celebrate as well. With “Odyssey” Shape King takes us on a journey through our current society to understand and possibly change it.
But we wanted to know even more! So we asked. Shape King is Raphael Peterson from Brooklyn, NYC. He is originally from Oakland, but decided New York was the place to be. He went to university and graduated with a music degree. He is not only a songwriter, but a producer, arranger and engineer as well. And he even creates his own music videos. He began the Shape King project as an outlet to make music and sound art with no creative constraints. He likes writing songs with an emotional flow, but is also fascinated by using a range of source material, like samples and home-recordings. The two songs are great examples of his approach. We will keep our eye on him!
To get to know Shape King even more, we also asked about his favourite songs.
What is your all-time favourite song and why?
This is kind of an unanswerable question, so I’ll pick one of many. “Lovely Rita” from the Beatles’ Sergeant Peppers. I listened to this album on repeat on my parents’ record player when I was very young, and it’s burned deep into my brain. This song is kind of a weird choice from that album I guess, but everything just feels right when I listen to it. The intro is soaring, and the whole thing is beautiful but doesn’t take itself too seriously. Thinking about it is made bittersweet by the recent passing of George Martin (the ‘fifth Beatle’) who I look up to as a creative problem solver and jack-of-all-trades.
What song is perfect for a Road Trip Song and why?
“The Great Curve” from the Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light”. Road trips are all about albums! That whole album is an energetic meditation that’s kind of on the same wavelength as driving. You get into the zone. I’ve also had pretty transcendent road trip experiences recently listening to Bjork, Sufjan Stevens, Hundred Waters, and the PC Music soundcloud.
On which song do you like to clean?
I assume this is asking about cleaning the house? Paul Simon “Born at the Right Time”. Beautiful harmonies, massaging rhythms. This whole album has a very clear sound that fills a room in an amazing way.
What’s the perfect song to wake up with?
I am a morning person. I like to get up early and I like things quiet. I usually don’t listen to music until later in the day unless I’m working on something. So, ideally, birds and trickling streams. In New York it’s more like traffic and humming machinery. I’m a pretty heavy sleeper though. A couple years ago, I lived next to a bus stop that would get power-washed around 3am everyday. I got pretty good at tuning it out.
What’s your favourite artist from your home city?
Sly and the Family Stone. Honorable mention Del tha Funky Homosapien.
Which artist do you think is to underrated and which one is overrated?
For underrated artist I’d say Cate Le Bon. “Mug Museum” is one of my favorite albums. The new song she just put out is amazing, and I’m really excited to hear the album. I saw her at the Mercury lounge a couple years ago, and it was wonderful. She is such a singular voice. I think she might fly under the radar a little bit because her delivery is so understated, but that’s a big part of what draws me to her music.
I’ll decline to answer the overrated question. I assume if I don’t like something that maybe I don’t get it and could like it in another context.
If you could be one artist for a day, who would that be? And why?
Yo Yo Ma. I wonder what it’s like to be so amazing at playing a musical instrument that the world flings open it’s doors to you. The list of places he’s played and people he has played with is astounding. He’s kind of an ambassador for general goodwill. This question is pretty hard. Also considered Kanye because why not.
At which place would you love to play a concert?
It’s not a concert per se: The opening ceremonies at the Olympics.
What’s the best song to make love to? (or to ask someone out?)
The first one that came to mind was Jessie Ware “Kind of…Sometimes…Maybe”, though listening back, it is almost a caricature of a slow jam. Maybe that’s what I like about it?
What’s the most beautiful lyric you’ve ever heard?
Feist – “Let it Die”. The whole song. It is so sad and beautiful, melancholy but sweet. Everything about the song, the arrangement, and the way it was recorded is very simple and direct. It is just about perfect for me.
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