Today we’d like to introduce you to George Krikes.
George, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve loved music since I was a little wee one. I started on the piano at four and picked up the guitar at 12 when I started singing and playing in church and chapel at school. After high school, I went to USC and studied Studio/Jazz Guitar. I struggled through it, as I was more inclined to songwriting than to serious instrumental jazz.
I got really lucky while in college when a buddy of mine asked me to help him make some music for a commercial. Together, he and I ended up getting some really big spots for McDonald’s, WalMart, VONS, Buick, and more. Through those jobs and various recommendations, I started doing work for a few other companies, writing songs for music libraries and helping to make recordings.
Again, I’ve been very lucky to have been given those opportunities. Many of the library songs I’ve written have seen relatively great success. One went #1 in Australia. Others have been featured on soundtracks, major movie trailers, and big ad campaigns. All the while throughout my 20’s, I was also writing, recording, and touring with my band King Washington.
We put out three full-length albums, a 6-song EP, had our music featured in several TV shows, played music festivals, and we toured the country over a dozen times on our own and as an opening act for larger bands. We decided to take a hiatus in 2017 after a solid decade together, and we’ve been enjoying doing other things since then.
This year, I wrote, recorded, and sold 16 songs to television. I’ve also become a part of a wonderful collective of independent artists called “Flight of Voices.” With FoV, I get to be a part of amazing shows around LA. We do unplugged, intimate sunset/hiking shows overlooking the ocean, shows in a world-class recording studio, and shows in a tiny room made completely of pink Himalayan sea salt.
It’s been a wonderful alternative to what I was used to doing for so long with my band, which was playing the normal venues, stressing about trying to sell enough tickets, and then playing an isolated set to the fans we already had. Also, earlier this year, I released my first solo EP entitled “LM.” It’s a homemade offering of simple songs from the heart. It deals with the longing and self-reflection of a broken-hearted lover.
Last year, I spent a month in Moscow, Russia, and recorded 12 Tom Waits covers. I selected 5 of them to release as an EP at the beginning of next year.
Has it been a smooth road?
Is life ever a smooth road? Even with the great opportunities I’ve been afforded along the way, it’s not been easy to make a living playing music. It’s one thing if you get hired to play in someone else’s band or on someone else’s tour, but when it’s your project you’re pushing, you are the last one to get paid, and that’s only if there’s anything left over.
I can’t even count the number of times I had to ask my parents for help when I was out on the road, making no money, and still having rent, car payment, insurance, and bills to pay. I count myself very lucky to have my folks because, without their help, I would’ve never been able to continue making music through my 20’s.
Thankfully, those days are behind me, now!
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
As a solo artist, I’m just trying to share my style of guitar playing and songwriting with the world. You can hear it all on any platform if you look up my name, George Krikes. You can listen to my old band “King Washington” on all platforms as well.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love LA. It is my home, and it is a melting pot for the whole world. I love the different personalities each part of the city has and how much there is to discover. I love that on any given night, there is something amazing going on.
As far as music goes, there are so many incredible, hard-working artists here — artists of all types, from the timeless, stoic singer/songwriters to the experimental, wild showmen. This is the place to be discovered once and for all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.georgekrikes.net
- Phone: 323-825-1420
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @gkrikes
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gkrikes
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