Rising Star Aryan King Talks Gear, Sound, and Staying True to His Art at NAMM 2025

Rising Star Aryan King Talks Gear, Sound, and Staying True to His Art at NAMM 2025
By Vinicio Olvera

This year’s NAMM 2025 was brimming with talent, but one name consistently echoed through the halls: Aryan King. The singer, songwriter, producer, and blues guitarist has quickly become one of the most talked-about artists in the blues/folk guitar community. With appearances at the DR Strings booth, TC Electronics, and private showcases at Blackstar and Gibson, Aryan was everywhere—and we had the chance to sit down with him to dig deeper into his music, gear, and artistic philosophy.

We also asked attendees who their favorite rising artist was, and Aryan King consistently ranked among the top five. Here’s what Aryan had to say about his musical journey and what’s next for him:

Interview with Aryan King

Q1: Aryan, thanks for joining us! Let’s start with your performances at NAMM this year. How was the experience for you?
Aryan: It’s been incredible. NAMM is always a highlight of the year, but 2025 has been particularly special. Playing at the DR Strings booth and collaborating with, Blackstar, Dunlop and Gibson was a dream. Each brand aligns with my sound and style, so representing them felt natural.

Q2: Speaking of gear, what’s currently on your go-to rig?
Aryan: My core setup includes a Gibson Les Paul, a Gibson ES-345, and a Gibson J-45 acoustic—it’s got this warm, expressive, and bold tone that I absolutely love. For the amp, I’m using a Blackstar St. James 6L6, which gives me the dynamic range I need and some serious bone-breaking power. I actually met the Blackstar family last year at Guitar Summit Germany. After a short chat, I knew right away that this was exactly what I needed! For strings, I’ve always relied on DR Strings. I started out with the Pure Blues series, but now I’m hooked on Dragon Skin—they’re just on a whole different level, It’s mind blowing. I also lean heavily on my Dunlop gear, my Signature Jazz III & pedals which never lets me down.

As for my pedalboard, I’ve got it all running through the effects loop of my Blackstar St. James 6L6. The chain starts with a TC Electronic Polytune 3, followed by a CAE Wah, then the Bonamassa Classic Fuzz Face, Boss Super Octave, Ibanez Tube Screamer 808, Marshall Guv’nor, Way Huge Overrated Special, Way Huge Pork Loin, MXR Analog Chorus, Vertex Steel String, Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron, MXR Micro Flanger, Fulltone Supa-Trem, MXR Phase 95, Way Huge Aqua-Puss, Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere, and finally, the MXR Reverb.

This setup gives me everything I need—from rich cleans and warm overdrives to heavy fuzz and atmospheric modulation. It’s versatile, expressive, and built to deliver the sound I’m after.

Q3: How did those sponsorships come about?
Aryan: It’s all about building relationships. I’ve been using Gibson, Dunlop, and DR Strings for as long as I can remember, so when the opportunity came up to work with them, it just made perfect sense. As for Blackstar, I literally knocked on their door and reached out after discovering their amps. It’s incredibly rewarding to partner with brands that truly believe in my sound—it’s part of my DNA, not just some random promotion.

Q4: Many people we spoke to at NAMM named you as one of the top five rising artists. How does it feel to get that recognition?
Aryan: It’s humbling. I’ve worked hard to create music, lived through a lot, and survived countless near-death moments—migrations, war, illness, even a coma. So, it’s not like I was born in Chicago with a family full of blues players and just ended up here. No, it wasn’t like that at all. Even seeing a good guitar used to feel like a distant dream—like suffering just to look at a photo of one. (He smiled) But somehow, that journey and struggle resonate with people. So, hearing their feedback means a lot. The blues and folk community is incredibly supportive, and I’m grateful to be part of it. That said, I’m my own number one enemy—I tend to criticize myself a lot. So those little compliments and moments of recognition feel like a warm welcome, reminding me to keep going.

Q5: You’ve mentioned that you prefer focusing on your craft rather than social media. Can you elaborate on that?
Aryan: Yeah, I’m not into the whole “InstaBlogger” thing. I see myself as a songwriter and producer who studied my craft with multiple high educations first and foremost. I’ve ghostwritten songs that have been Grammy-nominated and even won a few, so I want my music to speak for itself. Posting random content just doesn’t align with who I am as an artist.

Q6: How do you balance your solo career with ghostwriting and producing?
Aryan: It’s a challenge, but both sides fuel my creativity. Ghostwriting allows me to explore different genres and perspectives, while my solo work is where I get to express my true voice. Producing is the bridge that connects the two—I love shaping a song from the ground up.

Q7: Let’s talk sound—how would you describe your signature tone?
Aryan: My tone is a blend of vintage warmth and modern clarity. I aim for a rich, soulful sound with just enough grit to convey emotion. Les Paul, The Gibson ES-345 and Blackstar amp are key to that, along with carefully chosen effects that add depth without overpowering the natural tone.

Q8: Any upcoming projects or albums we should watch out for?
Aryan: Absolutely. I’m currently working on a LP album which can’t talk a lot about that just yet. that dives deeper into the fusion of blues and folk, with a few unexpected twists. It’s shaping up to be the most accurate album of what I’d like the last one to be. Expect it to drop later this year.

Q9: How has your songwriting evolved over the years?
Aryan: I’ve become more intentional with my lyrics and arrangements. Early on, I focused more on guitar technique, but now I prioritize storytelling and emotional connection. I want each song to feel like a conversation with the listener.

Q10: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians looking to break into the industry?
Aryan: Focus on your craft and stay authentic. Don’t get caught up in trends or social media pressure. If you create quality music and stay true to yourself, the right opportunities will come your way. trust yourself and believe in God’s plan.

Keep an eye on Aryan King—his passion, talent, and dedication to his art are propelling him to the forefront of the blues/folk scene. And if NAMM 2025 was any indication, this is just the beginning.