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It’s a new era for King Youngblood, so there’s plenty to rejoice about and celebrate. First, it was their “National Tour” last month, which included epic sets at Black & Loud Fest in Seattle and Portland. Then it was the release of the band’s cover of Soundgarden’s megahit “Black Hole Sun,” which V13 premiered earlier this month to coincide with Soundgarden’s long-awaited induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Now, it’s a new single, “garden of conviction” and an accompanying music video. The song features Justin Harden, a local, fellow Seattle artist and up and up-and-coming musician.
Looking back on the last few years, King Youngblood frontman Cameron Lavi-Jones comments:
“As crazy as it is to say, it’s been three years since our debut album BIG THANK dropped. For a very long time, I had really brutal writer’s block. I was constantly comparing any new ideas with that album and shorting myself, nervous that I wouldn’t be able to write anything that spoke to people the way that record did.
“I think we’re pretty far from being able to say we’re mainstream successes, but the way people reached out online or at shows about how much the songs on BIG THANK meant to them felt like I had a duty to positively impact them with the same heat. Anything short of that was letting down the very people who have supported us in the beginning. That was a lot of pressure. But after some empowering pep talks from my family and my band, I started to recognize that part of what my issue was was really just being too dialled into my own head.
Discussing encountering and working with Justin Harden, Lavi-Jones adds:
“I had a chance to meet Justin Harden outside of Beneroya Hall, chopping it up with a mutual friend of ours, Lily Cornell Silver. We had all caught up a little, but Justin invited me to a show he had coming up at Barboza. I went and immediately recognized that this dude wasn’t just a peer or an inspiration, but someone I really wanted to try writing with. Breaking the ice with ‘garden of conviction felt like breathing new life into what my old idea of what songwriting was. Working with him was natural, the mutual respect between us was palpable, and, genuinely, the man is just as hardworking as we are. It felt like family. I’m incredibly grateful to share, both in the new intentional impact King Youngblood is setting out to make and in the ways I’ve grown as a songwriter thanks to the people who’ve uplifted me.”
King Youngblood is a group that V13 has been supporting for many years now. “garden of conviction” is just one of many songs that the band has ready to go down the pipeline. These songs will be found on their new soundtrack for AFROTHUNDRA II – All of Us Over Our Heads. It was 2022 when the band branched off into the world of comic books and graphic novels with the release of AFROTHUNDRA Volume I – New Tomorrow. It was a rock n’ roll, sci-fi-inspired graphic novel Lavi-Jones oversaw with Bahamian artist Maz Joachin.
Now, the band is expanding that universe with Volume 2, which, as stated, will also unveil highly anticipated new music. The soundtrack will feature reimagined versions of songs that are tied to the comic’s storyline. Their cover of “Black Hole Sun” will be featured on the soundtrack, as well as a version of Rage Against the Machine’s protest anthem “Killing in the Name.” The new song “SOUL JUNCTION” is another standout moment, which will feature Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers and his rocker son Omari Neville.
As King Youngblood is demonstrating, there are outlets that go beyond music that an artist can use to connect with their audience. Lavi-Jones has a tireless work ethic, and most importantly, he’s got something to say. He’s willing to stand up for his convictions and make sure that he is heard. Combining an interest in fighting for social justice and maintaining authenticity in art, Lavi-Jones is the type of voice and fighter needed who will help speak truth to power.
King Youngblood “Garden of Conviction” (ft. Justin Harden) single artwork
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