New Zealand recording artist KINGS (Matt Headland) announces today his forthcoming debut album, Chapter One, set for independent release later in the year. Entirely self-produced by Kingdon Chapple-Wilson, the 12-track album will be released by KINGS himself through a new partnership with local digital music distributors DRM NZ.
With lead single 'We'll Never Know' scheduled to drop early September, the Kiwi hitmaker returns in fine form with a varied album showcasing an impressive range of styles and wide skillset as a producer, songwriter, lyricist and performer.
Best known for runaway chart-topping hit 'Don't Worry 'Bout It', which has now surpassed 6 million streams and recently received a Silver Scroll award nomination, KINGS has carved out a unique path as a multi-talented artist covering a diverse range of genres.
Regarding the album construction and forging a new path without a major record label involved, Kingdon comments:
"Firstly, thank you to everyone following and supporting this journey. Day 1 fans, new fans, welcome. Before I go further, I have to do a massive shout out to Warner Music NZ for believing in me - together we broke a New Zealand record, went platinum and made NZ history. Wouldn't have been possible without them.
I've always encouraged artists and musicians to do things themselves and to study the game thoroughly. It was only right that I do this entire project the way I preach. From directing the music videos to designing the cover art, everything is written, produced, mixed, and mastered the way I intended, with the hope that it encourages YOU to do the same thing."
DRM NZ are well known advocates for helping local New Zealand artists release their music globally. For just over a decade, the company has worked with a great host of independent kiwi artists in getting their music on digital platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Google Play, Pandora and more.
On the new partnership with Kingdon and his team, DRM NZ General Manager Andy Low states:
"This is a thrilling release for us, and we're very excited to work with one of New Zealand’s great talents of today. KINGS has come up with a fantastic debut album, DRM looks forward to rolling out the new KINGS material far and wide."