Common Kings rule the roost with its blend of Polynesian rock, reggae, pop and R&B

Common Kings may be four
ordinary, down to earth guys from Orange County, California, but they are also
Poly Rock (Polynesian Rock) royalty. Their island inspired blend of rock,
reggae, pop and R&B, has catapulted them from YouTube sensation, to sold
out tour dates around the world, to touring alongside Justin Timberlake, and
participating in the coronation of the King of Tonga, all in just a few short
years. Common Kings combines its deep island heritage with the sound of modern
influences to create a laid back and uplifting sound that is all its own.

How did Common Kings get started?

It was about four years ago
now, before that we were a cover band, and since then we’ve just been playing
music and getting lucky on YouTube with all our fans.

So, you all are from Orange County, but you have deep
Pacific Islander roots. How important is it for you to stay true to your
heritage?

Very, very important. We try
to use elements of where we grew up with all of the different styles we heard
growing up from our families, our parents. Using those elements and infusing it
into what’s out and what’s hot right now. That mix is what makes Common Kings
special.

Describe the Common Kings sound. What do you want your
fans to get from listening to your music?

It’s feel good music. Yeah,
good vibes and feel good, that pretty much wraps up our style. Obviously,
there’s some reggae influences, there’s some pop influences, some hip-hop and
R&B. Put all that together, and it’s just a feel good vibe.

You’ve had some amazing experiences recently. You
toured with Justin Timberlake and also took part in the Coronation Ceremony in
Tonga. What were those experiences like?

Those experiences were
amazing. Being able to be on that platform with JT, getting to know him and his
crew—the whole experience was amazing. And then going to Tonga for the
Coronation really brought us back to being there with our people and honoring
them and their King, their new King. That whole experience was, wow . . . it
was just amazing!

You’ve been all around the world, and have fans from
all over the world, where is it that you feel most at home?

That would probably be
Hawaii. That’s where the whole movement really started. We’ve got a lot of love
there. Of course, OC (Orange County) will always be home to us.

We live in such a negative world, yet your music is
always uplifting. Do you find it difficult to remain so positive?

You know what; Mata (lead
guitar player) is forever the optimist, so it’s really hard to dwell on
negative vibes when you’re around him. I think it’s easy for us to stay
positive because we’re kinda livin’ the dream. We may have our personal
struggles, but at the end of the day we look up like “Wow, we’re really doing
this.” We’re doing what very few people are able to do, which is make a living
doing what we love.

What are your thoughts on the cannabis legalization
movement?

There are a lot of good
things that come from cannabis. It helps a lot of diseases. Hopefully more
studies will help to grow towards more acceptance, instead of being taboo.

Are you in favor of full legalization?

Yes! It just makes so much
sense. I mean, I don’t know what the big deal is. Why is it not legal? It’s
more of a political thing, than a health issue, because there’s a lot of people
it benefits. There’s so many different applications of the plant that would
benefit the country. So from that aspect, I don’t see what the big deal is.

Are you touring this summer?

We’re going on tour with
Fifth Harmony in August, so that’s our big tour this year. Last year it was JT.
We’re looking forward to getting out and entertaining the kids.

You inspire people worldwide. Who inspires you?

Our fans. They are the ones
who allow us to do what we do.

commonkings.com