By Phil Lacombe
From teenage punk shows to genre-blending solo work, Matt King has grown up inside the Coachella Valley music scene. Known early on as a powerhouse bassist and later as a songwriter, vocalist, and creative architect, Matt represents a new generation of desert artists who refuse to stay in one lane. Whether fronting bands, building songs from the ground up in his home studio, or championing local collaboration, his work reflects curiosity, independence, and a deep commitment to the community that raised him. In this week’s Local Music Spotlight, we catch up with Matt King to talk growth, experimentation, and what’s next.
CVW: You started playing in bands at a young age. How did growing up in the Coachella Valley shape your musical identity early on?
King: Growing up in the desert definitely shaped my musical identity. While it certainly helped shape my musical style, as I took a ton of influence from my favorite desert bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Sleazy Cortez and many more, I would say that the most impact the Coachella Valley had on my musical identity was beyond the sonics. Growing up in such a tight knit community like the desert, I learned that kindness and compassion were just as important as writing good music. Mostly everyone involved in the music scene here takes big risks to give opportunities to others, so I feel that it’s important to treat everyone involved in this rock show with kindness. We’re all working toward the same goal, and I believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. In my experience creating in the desert, I’ve found that more opportunities come to you when you operate with good intentions and learning from countless others in this scene has helped shape me into what I am today.
CVW: Most people first knew you as a bassist. What pushed you to step into the spotlight as a frontman, singer, and songwriter?
King: Well even in my first band, I was somewhat of a frontman, singer, and songwriter, even though it was for songs about school food. My first band broke up during the pandemic, and I was hankering to play music still, so I channeled a lot of energy into my debut solo album, where I wrote, performed, and recorded every instrument. This experience helped me learn more about my abilities as a songwriter, and even though it had a goofy-tinge, I was able to find value in my creation. Coming out of the pandemic, I took a COVID’s worth of song demos and started some new bands. With projects that featured songs I wrote, I was able to become more comfortable as the leader of a band. To answer your question, I wanted to write songs I wanted to hear, so I stepped further into those roles to make some music I truly enjoy.
CVW: Your solo work shows a strong DIY approach. What did teaching yourself recording and production unlock creatively for you?
King: Building off of my last answer, DIY unlocked creative elements I had all along, but were shunned or downplayed when I was in my previous band. I get it, not everyone wants to hear quirky music, but that’s how I choose to express myself. I don’t possess the ability to pour my emotions into heartfelt, heart-tugging tunes that’ll make you cry or ponder life, so I do what feels natural to me. In a way, writing everything myself helped me unlock songwriting skills that, in my opinion, strengthened the musical mode of my writing. DIY helped me go beyond the simple riff repetition, and allowed me to craft more complex (but not prog-level) sonics.
CVW: You’ve pulled from punk, funk, hip-hop, electronic, and rock influences. How do you keep all those styles feeling cohesive in your music?
King: That’s something I don’t think I can answer. I’m inspired by so many forms of music, both explicitly and inexplicitly, and somehow different sides of my tastes appear in my different works. For example, I’m in love with desert rock, and poured all my heavy riffs into my Matt and the Kings project, and started Salton City Surf Club as a separate entity. My friend Bolin Jue (The Royal Chicano Underground) pointed out that he hears some desert rock sounds on a Surf Club song called “You Can’t Out-Surf Me!” and that really surprised me. When I get a riff idea, or sit down to write something, I’m never searching for a musical mode or vibe, I just let whatever comes out of the bass go! I’m glad you think it feels cohesive, but I can tell you it’s not something I’ve considered.
CVW: You’ve been part of multiple bands over the years. How does collaboration differ now compared to when you first started playing shows?
King: Well I definitely feel like I have more to offer now. Every band I’ve been in has taught me new skills, both with music and with band relationships LOL. I’ve branched into playing genres and sounds I’d never thought I’d play, and every new song I’ve played has helped me become a better player and a better collaborator.
CVW: You joined Empty Seat after already carving out your own path in the scene. What drew you to the band, and how has being part of that lineup changed or challenged you musically?
King: I enjoyed sharing bills with Empty Seat but I never saw myself being a part of the band. Then one day they asked me to join and I said yes, but then they said nevermind LOL. Later, they asked again, and we had a really awesome jam session, and the rest was history! It’s really cool being a part of that band, because I’m playing with people who have so much playing experience, and I find myself learning so much from them. Since I don’t have to worry about vocals, I get to be pretty creative with my bass parts, and the songs have allowed me to involve some weird pedals that I otherwise would have struggled to include in songs. I picked up their songs pretty quickly, and I’m thankful they’ve allowed me to put my own spin on their sound. Empty Seat the band is almost as old as me LOL.
CVW: Salton City Surf Club has a very distinct sound and aesthetic tied to the desert and the Salton Sea. What inspired the project, and what does that band let you express that your other projects don’t?
King: During the pandemic I wrote a ton of songs, and some happened to have some surf-elements. It was another case of “I don’t know where that came from”, but I was surprised that so many song ideas were shaping into full-fledged songs. Fast-forward to the first compilation album I put together, It Came From the Desert!, Vol. 1, and I decided to put one of the songs on there to beef up the tracklist. I needed a name, and during that time, the Palm Springs Surf Club was being talked about, and there were rumors of the Thermal Beach Club to follow. I think that huge wave pools and ocean resorts in the middle of a dying, drought-ridden desert is so ridiculous, and was chatting with a friend when I joked, what’s next, a surf resort in the Salton Sea? The band was born, and ever since, it’s been a vehicle to make tons of songs I love that mix rock, punk, funk and more into some goofy yet meaningful songs about the Salton Sea or aquatic creatures.
CVW: You’ve also helped bring local artists together through compilations and community projects. Why is building scene culture just as important as releasing music?
King: For me, it’s more important. Without a scene, we have nothing. I don’t know when it clicked for me, but somewhere along the way, I realized that I would be nowhere without the opportunities that have been given to me. Every step of my journey is because of people like Josh Heinz welcoming me to an open mic, or Phil and Tracy inviting me to gigs and covering my band, or Jimmy Boegle for giving me a chance to write for Coachella Valley Independent. The list goes on and on. My job at the newspaper consists of me shining a spotlight on local bands, and that’s something that follows me into all of the other parts of my life. I started booking shows under the name Dunes Booking because local bands deserve to play and be seen. I started releasing a compilation album every year of 760 artists because local music deserves to be heard! When you have a happy, humming local scene, it benefits everyone, and all it takes is one band to be heard before you’re doing a deep dive into the tightknit community of our desert.
CVW: What’s one lesson the desert music scene has taught you that still guides how you create today?
King: Kindness prevails always. Being nice is so easy!! I wouldn’t be here without the generosity of others, so I try my hardest to pass on that compassion.
CVW: Looking ahead, what’s the next chapter for Matt King, new releases, collaborations, or a sound shift we should be ready for?
King: Hmmmmm well I guess I can leak some new things. Salton City Surf Club is working on a split EP with one of my fav local bands The Royal Chicano Underground. I’m really excited about that. We are writing new jams with Empty Seat and will hopefully return to Rancho De La Luna this summer for some new magic. I’m always working on new fun stuff, and there’s even a few secret projects out there…you’ll just have to contact me or Miguel Arballo. It Came From the Desert!, Vol. 4 will come out this Halloween season, so if you’re a local musician, send me your songs!! I am booking some shows in DHS throughout the summer, so bands hit me up! I’ll also be throwing some shows at Pappy & Harriet’s here and there. Annnnd my band Salton City Surf Club will be performing yet again with Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas (led by the voice of Spongebob Squarepants) this October!
CVW: Where can fans find you?
King: Matt King, Dunes Booking, Salton City Surf Club, Empty Seat, Bronca, Analog Lab, Sublunar, Coachella Valley Independent, Reno News & Review.
Always evolving and never boxed in, Matt King continues to push beyond expectations, not just as a musician, but as a creative force within the Coachella Valley. With roots grounded in community and eyes set firmly on the future, his journey reflects the power of growth, experimentation, and staying true to your voice. Keep an ear to the desert, Matt King’s story is still being written.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Local Music Spotlight, but the party doesn’t stop here. Hit the shows, feel the beats, and keep the valley’s music scene thriving. Because around here, the next song that changes your life might be playing tonight.
