Decent covers seem to come along like buses. You hear one, the Bonnie Trash version of ‘Red Right Hand’, then 3 minutes later another interesting one comes along. This time its a cover of The Stones ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ by Queen Kwong. It’s part of an Ep that consists of covers, including Springsteen, Chris Isaak and Velvet Underground.
“I specifically covered songs by men because I wanted to take a bigger risk creatively,” says Carré Kwong Callaway—aka Queen Kwong about her new EP STRANGERS which is released today, October 29, 2024 via Sonic Ritual. “I’m always down to take risks and stick my neck out. This EP serves as both a personal reconciliation and a way to honor the complicated legacy of rock n roll, even as I continue to push for a future where women have equal footing in the genre.
“As much as I love and admire the work of my favorite female musicians, like PJ Harvey, Liz Phair, Kim Deal, Beth Gibbons, Bjork, I don’t believe I could bring anything new to their songs—those works feel perfect to me just as they are,” she explains. “I didn’t want to try to interpret something that, in my mind, already exists in its best form. Instead, I wanted to see how I could transform some of my favorite songs by famous men, by bringing a female touch and gaze to their music.”
We can also expect a new album due for release sometime in 2025.
Now in London after living in Los Angeles, CA for a number of years, Carré is gathering her energy to keep building her creative momentum. “I’m nearly finished with a new full-length Queen Kwong record that will be released next year,” she hints. “I recorded it at Roger O’Donnell’s (The Cure) studio in the middle of nowhere England. Because I was using his studio and his gear, it’s synth heavy. I co-produced with Darian Zahedi (CRX) and it’s very me but also a big departure from previous records. As per usual, many great musician friends of mine contributed parts including Nick Valensi (The Strokes) and Pete Holmström (The Dandy Warhols), and Tchad Blake (The Kills, Fiona Apple, The Black Keys) is mixing it. It’s going to be a banger.”
There’s a Q & A just before the release of ‘Couples Only’ should you want to check it out.
DeClunk 