Check Out Sweatson Klank’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sweatson Klank.

Hi Sweatson Klank, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Paris, France and moved to LA when I was five. My mom was a graphic designer and my dad a documentary filmmaker and film historian. From an early age, I gravitated towards music. In high school, I played guitar and bass in little garage bands in my neighborhood of Topanga canyon. At the time, I was very much into 60’s psychedelic rock and funk music. A friend of mine turned me onto hip hop and I fell in love. A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Pete Rock, The Pharcyde. This music was so revolutionary and the message was of unity and revolution. I loved it!! In college, I began djing and collecting records. That led to me eventually wanting to make the music I was djing. I picked up some cheap beginner equipment and locked myself in my room for six months. My friends would say “come on let’s go to this party” and I was like I’m gonna stay here and practice making beats.

At the time, I had a Hip Hop night that happened weekly. This was in my college town of Olympia, Washington where no one else was really playing this kind of stuff. My best friend, Diaz was a 2nd generation Jamaican who became my partner in the weekly as both a dj and MC. He had a great collection of dancehall and reggae records from his parents. The two of us put a lot of love and energy into the night and it became the spot to be on Wednesday nights. One day, the guys from legendary punk rock label K records came to our night and afterward asked me if I made beats. I had just started and told them I was working on it. They told me I had a great ear for music and to hit them up when I had some music to share.

Six months later, I emerged from my room with an album which they signed and released. It was a big deal as I was only 20 and was now on a label that had put out early Beck, Nirvana, Slater Kinney and so many other legendary acts. That was 20 years ago and I’m still at it:) Back then, my artist name was TAKE, in 2011 due to that name becoming increasingly difficult to find online, I made the name change to Sweatson Klank which I still use now. I haven’t stopped making music and releasing records with various labels across the globe since. Touring and performing in different countries all of the world… I feel honored to still be doing what I do and still love it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s not always been a smooth road. The life of any creative is filled with ups and downs. Financial and mental struggles. Self-doubt, self-discovery and a constant search for inner peace and connectedness.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a music maker first and foremost. I make mostly instrumental music which sometimes features a vocalist or rapper. These days I also pass my knowledge forward by teaching a couple of days a week at a music academy in Silverlake, CA called Point Blank Music School. I like to think was makes me stand out is my style which is constantly evolving yet always recognizable. I’ve never wanted to be hugely famous, I look at my musical career more like a jazz artist in the sense that so many of my favorite Jazz musicians just had these incredible long careers, leaving behind great catalogues of work but were never huge. They were however, respected and their contributions to music are timeless. Thats my goal 🙂

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Here’s a funny one. My parents took me to see Michael Jackson at Dodger Stadium when I was really young, it was the Thriller tour. I was so excited to see the man and his sparkly glove, but I fell asleep at the concert before he even played.. hahaha. I saw Tito and Janet who opened but fell asleep before Michael.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sweatsonklank
• Facebook: @sweatsonklank
• Twitter: @sweatsonklank
• SoundCloud: @sweatsonklank

Image Credits
Priscilla Jimenez