Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kahra Keyes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kahra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I am on the path to making a full time living from my creative work. For me it has been a slow journey of honing my skills as an artist, as I didn’t start out completely. magnificent Lol. As of now roughly half of my income is from artistic performances and teaching music and the other half from personal training, which actually is an art in itself as far as body-sculpting. Both lines of work do assist the other one, as it is important to maintain an in-shape physique for the entertainment world. From day one I started out recording many songs and then receiving royalties from the recordings, which wasn’t a significant amount. As of now there are more ways to do this, and I see this as a way I can increase revenues in the creative field by leveraging my catalog. To promote the music I put a band together and did solo acts, however venues and events were usually done for free for promotion of the original music, so I did also get into singing covers at local restaurants which can be another good income stream. But what really kicked my creative income into high gear was working for a company that books mostly for kids parties and events impersonating heroes and princesses. There is a willing market for this type of entertainment that is usually private events. Averaging three performances a weekend has really turned me into a professional act. I would say a major component to success is constant exposure to connecting with audiences, no matter what role you play. The other side of my creative income is from teaching. I started off learning to teach from Mary Walkley doing group lessons, then I worked for the Ft. Lauderdale Children’s Theatre, then private lessons at a Ray’s Guitars N’ Gear, a local store, to finally teaching at the School of Rock. I’m currently working with students independently, as this is the best way without a middle man taking profit. I’m not sure that there is any way to speed up the process, as building up a clientele who trusts that you can grow their talent takes time. Also building your own talent through experience takes time as well.
Kahra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My artist name is Kahra and you can find my music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube channel Kahramusic, and links to everything on www.kahramusic.com. I’m based out of South Florida, but I’m open to doing events worldwide as music is a universal thing and video programs like Zoom make teaching all over the world a possibility! I have 8 albums available for streaming and a back catalog of 200 songs available for commercial use. I’ve done jingles for companies and songs for films. I specialize in lyric writing and vocals. I can do backup vocals as well. I’ve been a vocal coach for 6 years, working with students on auditions, in studio recording, and vocal lessons. I do in person lessons in Florida or over Zoom with anyone out of state. I also teach piano lessons! What I am most proud of is my perseverance as an artist and my catalog of work that is ever expanding. I also have over 30 music videos filmed all over the world, some of which have won film festival awards! In Las Vegas I won an award for Best Recording Artist at a film convention for my album Mermaid Tales. I will be performing at the Key West Mermaid Festival this summer July 1-5 songs from the album as well as my Ariel the Little Mermaid act! I regularly do impersonations in the South Florida area singing anyone from Marilyn Monroe to Elsa from Frozen. I work for Jest Murder Mystery in two of their three act plays. Finally I’m also in the hard rock band Mature Musical Pictures, and we opened for many nationally touring acts in the past year. Please check out our music www.maturemusicalpictures.com
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson is that you must always take paying gigs over non-paying gigs. The non-paying gigs are usually not promoted well, and sometimes even very disrespectful of your time as an artist. As of now if I do something for free they must understand that it must fit around pay gigs schedule. And usually everyone is very respectful of this and accommodating, You just have to know that you must communicate this.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
It has been known that America is a difficult place to break in a new artist. Labels often send artists to other countries to make it there, then word travels and audiences can be built here in America. I often wish that American society would support their local singers and artists, rather than only going to concerts of national acts. I also find harsh criticism about on quality issues, again audiences comparing you to artists with multi-million dollar budgets. America could have a kinder heart and a more open mind to supporting original music versus only cover bands. It doesn’t cost money to be kind, support by sharing an artists new single or music video. Although donations always go a long way when it comes to an independent artist. Buying merchandise from a small local band has a certain charm versus wearing a t-shirt from groups where often singers are no longer alive. Ask yourself so to whom is the money really going then?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kahramusic.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kahramusic
- Facebook: facebook.com/kahramusic
- Linkedin: karamarkpublishing
- Twitter: twitter.com/kahramusic
- Youtube: youtube.com/kahramusic
- Other: soundcloud.com/kahramusic
Image Credits
Vito Palmisano Photo SmithCo Photo Images