The music, the masks, and the men behind King Complex

Florida natives and Florida State students Bracher Brown and Cody Doss have made some serious impressions on listeners for the past few years. Tech-centered and blues infused, the two have cultivated a unique sound that can be described as equal parts dark and politically charged.

In contrast, the duo’s personalities are more open and lighthearted, both often crack jokes or go out of their way to say something they knew I probably wouldn’t be able to publish.  Between those moments however, I caught a glimpse into the men behind the (literal) masks about what their music means to them artistically, their feelings on recognition, and their next album.

What are your majors?

Bracher: English Literature, it was the only thing I really excelled at in school and I had a passion for writing.

Cody: General Music Education, I’m at the end of my degree now and have an internship in Jupiter where I teach kids.

So you’re molding the young musical minds of tomorrow?

C: Yeah, that’s probably kind of scary.

How did you get into music, and how did you meet?

B: I was previously signed to a label when I was around 15 or 16 after having a disaster of a band when I was 14, ultimately I thought it was a little too much and I was too young for it and being pushed in a way that I didn’t feel I wanted to do, so I took a break from music.

C: The Legend of Zelda inspired me to pursue music at a young age. I met Bracher through friends, he came out to sing for my band and he chose a Beatles song which he absolutely killed. From then on we grew from that band into King Complex.

Do you think you face any challenges as a duo compared to a traditional 4 or 5 member band?

B: Definitely not, it’s so much easier to just agree on something and in the rare cases we’re divided on something our manager acts as the tie-breaker so to speak. Four or five different and separate agendas would only complicate things.

C: Definitely easier, we may have different view points but ultimately it works out in the best interest of the band and we always seem to do what is ultimately best. Not to mention it makes traveling easier between the two of us.

So was there an event that pushed you to pursue music?

B: I don’t know what made me think this was a good idea. Although I did get on a stage to sing as a joke in middle school, and when people told me I sounded good the idea formed from there.

C: This one time I was interviewed by someone named Chloe Schulte, and after that I was like ‘Hey maybe I should pick up the drums!’

Where are your favorite cities to play in?

B: We’ve played about 100 shows over the past 3 years, but we really enjoy the responses from West Palm, Miami, and Tallahassee of course.

Your first EP got some attention, what are your plans for the next one?

B: We’re going to go take some time and record around November, so not too much longer hopefully. This is going to be a completely different sound for King Complex.

What makes it so different?

B: Our first album was very dark and angry, this next one definitely incorporates more of a pop element to it and is more of an energetic sound.

C: It’s an entirely new world for us, it’s spacey, pop-influenced and to me has a child-like wonder to it. The first album was kind of a harsh emotional state and we wanted something different. Like, if I was on the moon, I hope this is what it would sound like.

Now for the real question- what’s up with the masks?

B: It really takes away from the fascination of the person creating the music, and tends to make people focus solely on only our art . We want to be recognized for our projects, not for us. Plus overall it definitely adds to the theatrics of the show.

C: Celebrity culture these days usually hypes someone up into an almost god-like stature and distracts from the art they are trying to make and often completely disregards it entirely. It becomes impossible to separate someones perceived identity and their artistic product.

So you more or less took a page out of Daft Punk’s book?

B: Daft Punk’s commitment to their artistry is completely inspiring. They’re known around the world and can still walk out in public and enjoy their life because no one knows what they look like. Their incorporation of pop into their music really inspired us on this album as well.

C: Definitely, no one has seen those guys’ faces since the nineties, the only thing they want to broadcast to the world is their art. I definitely received a revelation about pop music because of them.

How’s that?

C: Well a good portion of their music talks about dancing and listening to music, both of which you’re already doing anyways and so it’s almost like it’s impossible not to agree. It elicits such feel-good emotions while you’re doing it as well, they’ve really just nailed pop music to it’s core.

You worked with Robin Cowie from The Blair Witch Project for your ‘Made In America’ video, what was that like?

B: It was awesome, he was such a laid back and creative guy. It was such an exciting experience and we’re grateful to have had him direct it.

Do you ever find yourselves still getting nervous?

B: Definitely, the masks help a little but the anxiety mostly comes from the fact that we are a technology-based performance. If we lose the digital aspect (as we have before) everything goes to shit.

Despite the costs, is there anything about music that really draws you to perform?

B: Well I started making music because I never thought anyone would listen to it. I feel like that’s where a lot of authenticity came from, and it’s meaningless to me if I don’t enjoy what I’m playing. I don’t want to impart any message on anyone despite what some of our songs sound like, I just want to enjoy what we’re doing.

C: I found music to be a cathartic and healthy thing for me, I definitely believe in the healing aspects of music personally.

King Complex has two confirmed upcoming shows in the month of October: October 27th at Walt Grace’s in Miami and October 28th at Swampgrass Willy’s in West Palm beach (the show is Halloween themed).

More shows for Tampa and Orlando in October should be announced on King Complex’s website and other social media. For all the latest on their shows head to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and find them on Spotify at King Complex.