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While most bands rise from polished jam sessions or formal training, Klang-based indie band Kings and Jesters carved their path from family debt, heartbreak, and hustle.
Meet brothers Aaron and Alistair, the duo behind Kings and Jesters. Since forming the band in 2016, they’ve been writing, producing, and performing songs that reflect the real, raw experiences of growing up in a struggling but deeply musical household.
A family built on music and survival
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Aaron shared that music has always been in their blood and in their survival toolkit.
Their eldest brother, Alex, became the family’s breadwinner early on, playing bar gigs every night to support his siblings. Their mother, once a travelling gospel singer, sold CDs in churches across Malaysia and even became a minor celebrity in Indonesia.
We didn’t grow up with nursery rhymes. It was Metallica, Michael Jackson, and gospel hymns.”
Despite both parents working, poor financial literacy led to debt and bankruptcy. The family endured years of financial instability.
Still, they never stopped performing.
From talent shows to rejection
Aaron and Alistair started singing together in high school, performing at events like Hari Guru, IU Days, and school fundraisers. Aaron’s high-pitched voice stood out, while Alistair’s musical skills kept things grounded.
Their first band, Fade to Black, eventually fell apart due to creative differences. From its ashes, Kings and Jesters was born.
But success didn’t come easy.
We auditioned for Asia’s Got Talent when they came to Malaysia and they even asked us to perform as a family, with our mum and dad included. They said they’d call us back, but we never heard from them. Honestly, it felt like if you didn’t have a sad story, you didn’t stand a chance.”
Songs born from heartbreak
All of Kings and Jesters songs are written by Aaron, often inspired by real-life breakups and betrayals. Their first song, Everything Is You, written after Aaron’s breakup with his ex-girlfriend, became a local hit in Klang.
“Even uncles at bars would sing it when they got drunk,” He recalled
From RTM to real chaos
The band eventually scored a performance slot on RTM for a Christmas special thanks to a family friend. But even that came with its challenges.
I messed up my vocals so many times. But it was still a big moment for us.”
Gigs haven’t always gone smoothly. In one performance, they were asked to sing Despacito with only one guitar, in front of a room full of drunk uncles.
But perhaps the most unforgettable show was their Merdekarya gig where Aaron invited nearly every girl he had matched with on dating apps, without realising how it would be perceived.
I thought they were just friends. But they thought it was a date,” he said. Then I introduced my girlfriend on stage. Everyone walked out.”
Brothers in rhythm
While Aaron handles lyrics and vocals, Alistair who works in IT is the band’s in-house music producer. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Alistair arranges and records their music, often working late nights after clocking out from work.
He’s a musical genius. He can play guitar, piano, bass—you name it.”
The songwriting process is spontaneous. The brothers usually meet on Friday nights to write, record, and build tracks in their home setup.
“Sometimes I procrastinate for weeks. Then one night, it just flows,” Aaron said.
A dream to build an indie scene
Despite minimal profits—Spotify only pays RM0.0008 per stream, the brothers are determined to grow.
They hope to organise a local indie showcase at Studio Unggul, featuring singer-songwriters who usually stay behind the scenes.
The goal is to create a community gig where six acts perform original songs, with tickets priced at RM25.
With the help of friends and Telegram-based groups, Aaron is hopeful it’ll come to life.
“If I ever get the money and venue confirmed, I’ll definitely make it happen.”
It’s not profitable but it’s personal
With over 20,000 streams combined and songs aired on Hits.fm and Mix.fm, the brothers are proud of what they’ve built—even if it hasn’t made them rich.
“We’ve only made about RM50 so far,” said Aaron. “But we didn’t start this for the money.”
Juggling day jobs, chasing big dreams
Despite their rising presence in the local indie scene, Aaron and Alistair are still working full-time; Aaron in marketing, and Alistair in IT. Music production happens late at night or on weekends, squeezed between corporate deadlines and daily responsibilities.
Even so, their commitment to their craft has never wavered. Whether it’s performing for uncles at weddings or planning grassroots gigs for emerging artists, their passion continues to drive them forward.
If we had the choice, we’d drop everything and just do music.”
For the brothers of Kings and Jesters, music isn’t just about streaming numbers or chart placements, it’s about connection, honesty, and turning life’s messiest moments into something meaningful. Full-time jobs may pay the bills, but it’s their passion and resilience that fuels the dream.
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