Q&A with North Kingsley's Ray Hawthorne

Rap rockers North Kinglsey, a trio made up of System of a Down’s Shavo Odadjian, producer Saro Paparian, and lyricist Ray Hawthorne, are making really relevant music. And they had plans to be bringing it to the masses, inspiring a lot of fist-pumping sing alongs, before this pandemic hit. We got the chance to check in with vocalist Ray Hawthorne, who answered questions about life in quarantine, the Black Lives Matter movement, creativity and adapting to a new way of life.

North Kingsley

Setlist.fm: How are you doing right now with everything going on in the world? Mentally, emotionally, physically, professionally?

Ray Hawthorne: There has been a lot to take in this year, and honestly the feeling is overwhelming. We’d like to think that there’s a silver lining in everything we’re experiencing. Personally, I’ve taken some much needed time to slow down and focus. Things with the band have been largely beneficial on the post production end because we’ve had extra time to work out the kinks with songs and decisions. But as far as the state of the world goes, that’s a whole other thing...

Setlist.fm: How is this lockdown impacting your creativity? 

Ray: The lockdown provided a ton of inspiration for us creatively. With so much turmoil going on in the world, there also comes a ton of emotions to try and pen down. That’s how we cope. I wrote the majority of the lyrics for what will eventually become our second full album, and I was only able to do that because of the extra time I had available. And I completed a 112% run on Hollow Knight, so, yeah.

Setlist.fm: What have you learned from the Black Lives Matter movement? What Black voices would you like to elevate?

Ray: Seeing the nationwide popularity of the Black Lives Matter movement over the last few months has assured us that most of America is a more positive, and accepting place than it may currently seem. It’s so easy to focus on the negative aspects of 2020, but to see the majority of our country use their voices and whatever power they have to enact change is extremely inspiring and reassuring.

To see people of all walks of life come together and stand for a common goal simultaneously makes me proud to stand among them. Everybody’s voice should be elevated, everybody’s experience should be shared. We all need to listen, learn, and change for the better.

Setlist.fm: What song or lyric in your catalog of music can help fans get through 2020?

Ray: “Throw your hands in the air where my fist is” from "Shotguns" is the biggest fuck you to the system in our catalogue currently. If anything will get us through this year with our heads above water, it will be the fact that we united over a necessary change.

Setlist.fm: What were your plans for 2020 originally, and what are they now? 

Ray: Originally, we were supposed to be touring our music this year. We would’ve had more music out by now and plenty of shows lined up, but things are unfolding a bit differently. We’ve taken this time to pull back a little bit and work the music, we’re putting out some more, Vol. 2 and on will be better experiences because of it. Also, I’ve [Ray] been organizing my Criss Angel Mindfreak DVD collection.

Setlist.fm: With lockdown, the BLM movement and forthcoming presidential election, what good do you think can come out of this year? 

Ray: As difficult as this year has been, plenty of good will come from it. Never in our lifetimes have we seen more people excited about being socially and politically active. If this keeps up, the changes we all want are within our reach.

We would much rather this year go down in history as one of major change, instead of a year of depression. Make your voice heard. Demand an end to problems that have persisted for too long. Demand equality. Demand change. Demand a theatrical release of Degrassi Goes Hollywood. Demand hope. It’s all possible.

Setlist.fm: What are you looking forward to most in 2021?

Ray: In 2021 we’re most looking forward to getting North Kingsley on the road and Ghostbusters 3.

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