Queer Duo King Vagabond Creates a World for Misfits

Last month, independent, alt-pop duo King Vagabond released their debut single “Rule The World,” along with a music video, which undoubtedly builds a kingdom for queerdos, outcasts, and misfits.

While the world fell apart in the wake of 2020, the duo, which consists of Joey Dean and Niko Vaude, chose a more contemplative path and spent the next two years submerged in the amniotic fluid of creative subconscious.

“I think ‘Rule the World’ can’t really be separated conceptually from King Vagabond because this is our debut,” Dean explains. “King Vagabond is kind of this moment of subconscious reflection. In the wake of so much happening in the world, we really thought about changing what we wanted to say as artists and what the world needed to hear, and we integrated all that into everything that we’ll be releasing.”

However, Dean admits that the track is an ode to the issues that people have interpersonally.

“It’s an opportunity for us to look inward and address the biggest problem of all, which is the division inside, and it’s a response to the division that’s happening in society,” he continues. “If you look inward and address your internal divisions, you can conquer your darkness, defeat your demons, and you can rule the world as king, queen, or whatever reigning title you’d like to self-prescribe.”

Juxtaposing ambient, 80s-inspired synths with gritty guitar leads all while dancing on the fringes where alternative meets pop and electronic, “Rule The World” begins with a solemn verse that builds into an explosive chorus with infectious vocal melodies, triumphant lyrics, and allusions to history’s most heroic warriors.

The inspiration to create King Vagabond came after their previous band of seven years ended at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were four guys that became three, and then two,” Vaude says. “Times change; people change, and nothing lasts forever. The pandemic brought out the best and worst of people, and we realized while we were flipping through our scripts, that chapter was coming to a close. Joey and I looked at each other and I was like, ‘Do you still want to do music together?’ He said yes, so we came up with the entity known as King Vagabond. We’ve been working on songs throughout the entire pandemic, and we started something new and fresh. I think we could all go for something new and fresh in today’s world.”

Vaude and Dean initially met while in college.

“I was writing songs in my dorm and would do open mics and coffee houses for the, what I like to nickname, ‘drama club for non-drama people,’” Vaude jokes. “It was for the people who couldn’t get into theater, and we would put on events. I saw Joey perform there, and that’s how we crossed paths. He sang a few songs, and I was like, ‘Man, this dude is such a social butterfly.’ I’m the dude that sits alone at lunch. I approached him and said, I have a bunch of songs, and I need a great singer. Do you want to come into the studio and do some tracks?’ Who would have ever thought that eight-plus years later, we’d be on our second venture together?”

“It’s funny because I didn’t really start to perform until the time we met,” Dean adds. “I was super shy, and for anyone who knows me now, they’re like, that’s not the case. I came out as gay when I was 14, but for some reason, coming out as a musician was bizarre. I think it was this fear of vulnerability, and that’s what art is. It’s this gateway into the self, and we can identify with certain isms and wear it as armor. I feel like music has become my armor at this point, and I’m able to really walk into this self that I knew existed but was afraid to allow it to see the light.”

In addition to addressing inner conflicts, Dean and Vaude hope that King Vagabond is a message that light can be found in the darkness.

“As King Vagabond, we want to create this community and unite the kingdom of misfits,” Vaude says. “We want people to experience being outcasted a little bit less and have something more in life’s experience.”

At the moment, “Rule The World” will be an individual installment, but King Vagabond plans to release more music throughout the year.

“Nothing is expected to be part of a larger body of work, but I think they all come from the same space and theory,” Dean states.

“We have a bunch of songs lined up for the rest of the year, but another one of our goals is to literally find out people and really connect with them,” Vaude adds. “I think there are some prerequisites for the type of front row fan that we demand, and through mediums like TikTok and other social media, we plan on connecting with as many people as possible.”

Stay up-to-date and connect with King Vagabond by following the duo on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @thekingvagabond, or visit their official website, kingvagabond.com. Separately, follow Dean on Instagram @joeydeanofficial, and Vaude @nikovaude.

“Rule The World” is available on Spotify and all other digital streaming platforms.

Photos courtesy of Vyxen Visions