Growing up in a small town in Ohio, Gretchen King spent a lot of time at home with her imagination. Whether in the barn attic or looking over the ravine, she could see a story around every corner, waiting to be told. As she began songwriting, she found that she could visualize the music she wrote, with scenes unfolding before her, directing where the song should go next.

Gretchen spent several years performing and writing for bands in both Ohio and California. Her focus was on the vocals and an occasional synth line, but she always felt like she was holding back creatively. This time around felt different. She didn’t want to hold back part of the story anymore; she wanted to tell it herself. 

For the last two years, Gretchen has worked toward creating something uniquely hers in the form of her first solo project. When she wasn’t at her day job, she was learning how to program drums, record her own vocals, and produce her own material. Soon, songs were taking shape and her sound was born... a feel of alternative sensibility with a love for the ‘80s (and undeniably pop).

But something was still missing from her story. Taking a cue from her music idols, notably Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, and Pink Floyd, Gretchen decided that this time, the artwork would play as important of a role as the songs.

With her background in photography and graphic design, she approached the art in a new way, combining her interests with new materials. Prioritizing exploration over perfection, Gretchen learned how to use epoxy clay, resin, woodworking tools and an airbrush to craft a miniature world with an abundance of magic. She finally had an artistic direction, a musical sound, and even a name: Buggie. Why Buggie? As Gretchen puts it, “It’s because I have really, really big eyes. It’s something people have commented on my whole life, so it feels fitting.”

Buggie’s music and artwork both have a comforting familiarity about them, but also a sense of mystery, as though something unknown could be lurking nearby.  The cheerful dollhouse-like appearance of her childhood home contrasted with its surroundings... two cemeteries and a mental health hospital that brought more than one unexpected visitor to her front door. It’s the memories of these moments that offer a glimpse into the strange duality that is the world of Buggie—filled with childlike wonder but with something darker whispering nearby.

Her desire to continue exploring her surroundings and the mix of emotions that come with it is still there and more than present in Buggie. “Creating is the easiest way for me to explore while feeling safe. I can go to all of those places that I may be too afraid to go to or say out loud in my normal life, but there is a comfort in knowing that I can change the direction of my story at any moment.”