Pawnshop kings

Driven by formative, familial experiences on their Arkansas plantation, born in Texas, and raised on the beach in southern California, PawnShop kings play American music with equal parts rock, soul, and pop. Their inspiration stems greatly from the brilliant musical sounds and honesty of the Beatles alongside the melodic sensibility and purpose of both the Staple Singers and Bob Marley. Early exposure to the Southern black church during their childhood fostered a deeper lyrical significance. “We play everywhere we can: bars, clubs, churches, street corners. In every environment there are people,” explains Scott, “ourselves included, looking to each other for a lift. That’s what we try and sing into. It’s okay to hold onto hope, even when it doesn’t seem possible.” “The way we see it,” adds brother Joel, “no matter how hard it’s been or ever gets for us, somebody always has it worse. And it goes beyond music. We have a responsibility to look out for one another.” With the broad span of influences that contributes to the PawnShop kings’ sound, the brothers reach a vast audience. But the lowercase “k” in the band’s name suggests a traditional, southern-borne propriety that keeps them as friends and from straying too far from faith and family. “We love that pawn shops give people a second chance whether or not they use or deserve it,” remarks Scott. “Our music and the ability to build upon the traditional roots of our childhood play as our voice to that spirit of reinvention.”