The Morning Kings have new album coming out – SOULstice. It’s a thoughtful and I think purposeful album that sounds great. Pro Tip: Try listening to Don’t Give Up first thing on a Monday morning and/or check out the album release at the Turf Club on July 24.
The Morning Kings have been together for 15 years. Can you tell us how you got started and how you have stayed connected for so long?
Drew: I mean, who doesn’t like hanging out in dark, dingy basements banging on instruments to performing on main stages for over a decade haha? We’ve been lucky to find a good group of humans over the years who’ve helped shape the sound of The Morning Kings, though honestly, it feels like the band itself did the picking. Some people came and went, but the energy always shifted to attract the right players and protect the vibe that makes The Morning Kings what it is today. Even if it did take a couple of sketchy Craigslist meet-ups (a story for another time).
Don’t Give Up, off your upcoming album, is a fantastic “first thing in the morning” song. There’s energy, there’s joy and it’s so uplifting. What was the inspiration?
Dan: Without sounding too cheesy, it’s kind of the story of The Morning Kings. We have a dream. We keep showing up. We keep making progress, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. The only way you lose is if you quit.
Drew: Not to be morbid…but we’re all going to die one day, so why not take this life as far as we can? In a world that’s full of distractions from social media to work, listening to it “first thing in the morning,” like you said, is a great way to stay in the game and not give up too soon. Cause it’s sure great when you finish something you started.
Several of the songs on the album, seem to be gentle, sound-great reminders to stop and smell the roses (Happy Trees) or at least breathe (Stuck Inside). Partially it’s in the name SOULstice but is there an intentional theme of mindfulness and appreciating emotions on the album?
Drew: Happy Trees and Stuck Inside both came to us during the pandemic. We went from performing at the Entry to immediately being locked inside and away from what I knew and loved…gigging, touring, and being with our people. I believe we all collectively experienced heightened emotions during that time. I wanted to shed light on it and hopefully help people rebound out of any downward spiral they may be experiencing. It’s also worth mentioning that I ketamine therapy was a big catalyst for the visualization that created Stuck Inside. When you listen to the song, maybe you’ll visually feel it too?
Dan: One of the most beautiful things about music is that it’s subject to individual interpretation. For me, when I listen to music I tend to imagine a scene, imagery, kind of like a painting that evolves as the music progresses. Both Happy Trees and Stuck Inside started as basslines and grew from there. The image for Stuck Inside was the longing of seeing “most beautiful day of the Spring so far…through the window while you’re working”. For Happy Trees, it was appreciating the beauty of nature, and a nod to Bob Ross’ “happy little trees” in his paintings. So yes, definitely some appreciation for a wide range of emotions. To quote Bob Ross, “You gotta have a little sadness once in a while so you know when the good times come.”
Funky Soul is meant for the dance floor. It’s hard to sit and listen. How would you define a funky soul or how would you recognize one?
Drew: Have you seen those viral videos of one lone person at a music festival just having the time of their life, and then before you know it, the whole place is dancing along? That’s a funky soul: a free spirit immersed in life. We attract a lot of people like that to The Morning Kings; people who just want to have fun, dance, and enjoy the human experience.
Dan: If you have to ask… 🙂
Please tell us about the album release show.
Dan: July 24, 2025 at The Turf Club in St. Paul. It’s going to be a phenomenal night of music featuring Jazicality, The Morning Kings, JoJo Green, and Twin Citizen. Jazicality is an incredible singer/musician, and a wonderful human being. Twin Citizen is one of my favorite bands in the Twin Cities. JoJo Green are old friends of ours and another of my favorite bands in the Twin Cities, especially live. I’m almost more excited to just hang out and watch the other bands on the bill that night.
JULY 24, 2025 @ TURF CLUB
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Music: 7:30 PM | Age 21+
Tickets: $15
Get Tickets: themorningkings.com/shows
We’ll also have limited-edition merch — and, of course, the appearance of the green socks
Mostly Minnesota 