In this exclusive interview, The Curse of KK Hammond delves into the
inspiration behind her latest single, “She Is My Precious,” a biting
critique of digital objectification and the phenomenon of “simping.”
Known for her bold, often dark-humored approach to controversial
subjects, Hammond reflects on her use of the bawdy blues style and how
it connects past and present themes. She also offers a glimpse into her
upcoming, genre-blending project, “Walk With Me Thru the Fire,” a
Western-inspired epic that promises to push the boundaries of her
signature Southern Gothic sound.
Q: Your latest single “She Is My Precious” offers a biting critique
of digital objectification and the phenomenon of “simping.” What
inspired you to address these themes in such a raw and direct way?
A: I wanted to write a risqué song, as is customary in blues tradition.
I tend to be quite direct in the way I address controversial subject
matter in my songs, often using a little bit of dark humor in my
delivery. The ‘Dirty’ blues of the 1920s and 30s often touched upon
sexual matters and I felt the topic of online simping was an ideal
contemporary subject matter with which to broach the subgenre. It was
also something that was particularly relevant to me and my experiences
as a female artist online.
Q: The video for “She Is My Precious” complements the dark, swampy
blues vibe with striking visuals. Can you tell us about the creative
process behind the video and how you brought the song’s narrative to
life on screen?
A: The video was a script I wrote and shot with my small in-house team.
It was a more intimate and low budget production than my previous and
subsequent music videos and a great deal of fun to shoot! It was a total
departure from my usual dark, swampy vibe and instead a full-on and
raunchy comedy production which mirrored the light hearted, upbeat
nature of the song. We were lucky to find a lead actor with a great
sense of humor who was willing to leave his pride at the door and play
the part of ‘Billy the Simp.’
Q: Your music often leans into Southern Gothic themes, but “She Is
My Precious” touches on modern issues like online relationships and
digital objectification. How did you balance those two elements in this
track?
A: She Is My Precious was a departure from my usual dark and gothic
swamp blues vibe and payed more of a homage to the ‘bawdy’ blues style
made famous by such artists as Lucille Bogan. It is a more light hearted
and upbeat track compared to my usual approach. However, I felt a
connection between the risqué subject matter touched upon in songs such
as “Shave ‘em Dry” and the modern controversial subject of simping so I
think it worked well to connect this blues style of the past with more
contemporary themes.
Q: Your upcoming single “Walk with Me Thru the Fire” is said to have
a Western vibe and is described as an “epic production.” Can you give us
a sneak peek into what we can expect from both the song and the video?
A: ‘Walk With me Through the Fire’ was a collaboration between myself
and my good friends Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin and Ian Davidson. It features
the soulful cello playing of Ian throughout and Kaspar joined us with a
fiery slide guitar solo. It is an eclectic crossover of multiple genres
including blues, western, mariachi and orchestra.
The music video was shot over three days on a Western set and has been
my largest production to date. It features some fantastic actors
(including some very special animal actors!) and some exciting special
effects and pyrotechnics. It has been taking us a great deal of time and
hard work in post production and we plan to release it in 2025.
Q: The lyrics in “She Is My Precious” mix humor with sharp
social commentary, especially when discussing the superficial
connections formed online. How do you approach writing lyrics that can
be both thought-provoking and entertaining?
A: I very much enjoy story telling and interjecting humor into subject
matters that may not ordinarily be funny in order to provoke thought in
a playful way. I focus on blending vivid imagery with meaningful themes
that resonate with listeners. Much like with traditional blues, clever
word play and metaphors can be used to ensure the message gets across in
a way that is playful and enjoyable as well as thought provoking.
Q: “Walk with Me Thru the Fire” sounds like it’s going to be
an ambitious project. How does the scale and style of this upcoming
single differ from your previous work, both musically and visually?
A: In this track I have expanded the line up of instruments to give it a
dramatic, orchestral feel. My album (Death Roll Blues) had more of a
“girl and guitar” approach which made for a more intimate feel. ‘Walk
With me Through the Fire’ goes all out and features a Western flavour
which was a new theme for to me. However, there will also be themes
quite familiar to viewers who have seen my previous projects. For
example some horror elements within the music video as well as some
returning actors and characters from previous music videos.
Q: Your use of “dirty” or “bawdy” blues in “She Is My Precious”
really helps convey the grittiness of the message. What draws you to
this particular sub-genre, and how does it allow you to explore
challenging or risqué topics in your music?
A: I am a big fan of the bawdy blues artists of days bygone including
Lucille Bogan, Ma Rainey and Memphis Minnie. Risqué subject matter and
double entendre has long featured in blues so was something I felt was
quite natural to introduce to my music.
Q: As both a musician and a visual artist, how do you feel the
interplay between your music and videos contributes to the overall
impact of your storytelling, particularly with songs like “She Is My
Precious” and “Walk with Me Thru the Fire”?
A: I love creating film as much as I love creating music and have always
put a great deal of thought into my music videos. I think being able to
provide those who enjoy my songs with strong accompanying visuals makes
the experience all the more immersive for them and allows me to expand
the story beyond the confines of the lyrics.
For more information on The Curse of KK Hammond, please visit
www.thecurseofkkhammond.com