Mixer-upper PK began way back in the 2000's, releasing close to 10 album's, with newer music always in the works as well. PK himself goes into discussion about his time with music, recent content and more below.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
In the early 2000s, we had a rapper in Estonia who was rapping superfast so starting out as a young kid I was trying to emulate his style. It was mainly fast rap and battlerap for me at that point, which is kind of a trip to look back on. As I grew as a person, so did my own style develop. After a couple of years, I was already more-less known for a flow and metaphor scheme that I guess was pretty unique at the time. As I was getting really into the zone and starting to build myself up, I had an accident which was very close to being fatal. Once I got out of rehab from that, my world was a different place. I wasn’t really into to the local scene much. Music from my homies etc - sure. But my love for foreign music/films pretty much molded the path I would go on. I never had that old school spine but at about 2010 I really started getting into new-school and trap. It wasn’t that popular in Estonia back then, we had a very old school heavy scene, I think we kind of do now too but it’s definitely more mixed now. So once I started coming out with these big synthy tracks with melodies that reminded EDM more than actual hip-hop, the public was divided. There were people that always came up to me and told me to go back to the music that I used to make. And there were people that were coming up and saying that this new-school sound is very right for me. It got pretty annoying at times as I was constantly approached at parties etc by people who felt like the need to get into a conversation about the music I used to make. Which is fine when I think about it now, just at the time I was a bit confused. At a point, those people kind of just faded away. I think they saw that I’ll go down my own path no matter what was said. Soon enough I was being named “the most industrious rapper in Estonia” by media local outlets and it all sort of just fell into place. But I wasn’t happy though. Actually the very opposite. Personal problems and performing/travelling took a toll and I quit live shows for a couple of years to get my head together. Which, with too many close calls, I did. Haven’t ever felt better and actually just gave my first show in 2,5 years. If you can take it, you can make it.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
I was trying to come up with something that would make sense to both the public and myself. Something that would describe me. So i was talking about that with a friend and he said “what about PK?”. It’s short for Painduv Keel (Flexible Tongue in English), which was meant to stand for the unique flow. I think I took that name in 2004 or something like that and never looked back. Now it’s just a part of me. I have thought about changing it a couple of times but there have just been random ideas.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
I am based in Tallinn, Estonia. I wouldn’t really call myself a band, even though my live shows are with live drums. I’ve always been a solo artist and probably always will. Never say never though.
The music scene here is pretty party rap oriented. Fair share of mumble and hyphy banger tracks. One time the local radio stations top20 had like 15 hip-hop tracks. There’s also quite a bit of campfire songs and generic radio pop. We call the first one “sült” over here, it’s pretty much a mix of easy listening rock, pop and often feature lyrics that are kind of meme-ish. It’s quite popular to remix classic songs with over the top lyrics. We have some brilliant bands in the rock scene though - Miljardid is definitely one of those. They give off The Killers vibe to me. Horror Dance Squad is the best modern metal band we have here, they also mix their music with a lot of genres so there’s always something new to listen to, they keep it exciting which is dope. And my of course my all time favorite - romantic punk band called Vennaskond.
4. How would you describe your style?
I’d say I’ve gone pretty rogue from the standard genre-based boxes. I’ll do anything from pop-punk to euro trance, as long as it feels right. I’ve been told though that my style is like mixing The Black Keys with Franz Ferdinand and rap. Having said that, I’ll never stray away from a fun synth lead!
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
I’ve released 9 albums (some physical copies, most digital), a few mixtapes back in the day and several music videos. The latest one is actually quite a fun look back to the sound when I was in the rap scene more. It’s called superstore and you can check it out on YouTube.
Expect the unexpected from my releases, that’s how I’ve always been as a person - in music and out of it. My next track could be a heartfelt acoustic record, a rock banger or it could be a an EDM hit. One thing that will always remain despite the style of music I release - it will always be honest and it will always be everything I have.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
Always. I was just looking through the catalogue the other day and realized that I actually have at least a years worth of releases planned. From metalcore to punk to songs only with the piano and everything in between. I am just starting to show you the different sides that I have.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
We have a couple of shows lined up in August - one of those is for an especially great cause. It’s the birthday of SOS Lasteküla, who is an organization that gives homes for children who have broken homes. So that will be an emotional gig for sure.
Then a cameo in a camp for teenagers where the idea is to share my story and how I got to where I am now, hopefully motivate and inspire some young people and write some music together.
After that, we change the theme a bit and go perform at a festival a bit further away in Estonia. Plus I got something awesome planned for autumn but it’s a bit early to say it out loud yet :)
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
A friend asked me this the other day too. My main thing has always been sharing and connecting with people. Being a musician and being a human being are not as different as many people make them out to be. That’s why for me it’s not as much “future as a band” but “future as me” in general. Where-ever I go and whoever I meet, I will do it as Joseph and also as PK. So every personal experience I am a part of will be my future as a band. I think once you open your mind, the universe has a way of taking you exactly where you belong. Having said that, I’m still putting in daily work to get more gigs and get to meet as many people as I can. So I’m not going completely “the universe will guide me” on you, balance is key. Balance between rationally put in hard work and letting go.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
You can (and I encourage) to listen to me on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20O3giydnXgeTGiPLXLeTM?si=3jPo6K-ZRYqG0E2mdgizHA
And on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/pkestonia
Pretty much any platform you can think of, I’m on there as pkestonia.
We got new merch literally in the makes as we speak. You can buy my stuff soon on Shopify and even directly on Spotify once I connect them.
You can also get the merch for my previous albums from https://my-store-315f65.creator-spring.com/listing/dress-sexy-at-my-funeral-orig or https://my-store-315f65.creator-spring.com.
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
That they are not just listening to some ones music. We are sharing that moment in time together and you can be just the way you are. Just them, me and the sounds. And nothing will ever take that away from us.
Post a Comment