We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Scotty K.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Scotty below.
Scotty, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I think every project should be meaningful, otherwise what are you doing anything for? Far too often people are doing things just to do them, they’re not sure what their end goal is, or they don’t know what they’re actually trying to sell.; they just try to sell. The question isn’t what’s most meaningful, it’s really about which project effectively got my point across, as an artist, thematically, and sonically.
That project for me, was definitely my album ‘Blindfold Cinema’. It was the first time I really tried to showcase my skillset, and represent to listeners of what I see myself capable of musically. Each track was different, and yet they all tied together. The project did well, it won an award locally here in South Carolina, and it propelled me into the next album. Every aspect of the project, hit every mark I was aiming for.
Scotty, 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?
I almost fell into what I do, through the people I met. I went through a rough patch that really put things in perspective for me. “It’s only after we’ve lost everything, that we’re free to do anything.” I started as a spectator, and eventually grew into karaoke. At some point you have to get out of the shower right? Well, a KJ who was working one of the bars I went to, offered me a job, and that’s where I learned the ins and outs of basic live setup; setting up speakers, running a mixer, etc. My friends at the time were also really into making rap music, and so that’s where I started. I honed my craft, worked out the details, and here we are.
After working with my equipment for sometime, I’ve been approached for commercials, voice overs, albums, singles, live recording, etc. I think my music definitely sets me apart, but my work ethic and my attention to detail is what makes me standout, only because I was terrible at it for so long.
I was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, as a Security Forces Officer. While I was great at my job execution, my job knowledge and my effort in performing my duties was commendable, my standards for myself, and my ability to listen was dismal. And so due to budget cuts, I was relieved of duty. I moved to South Carolina with no idea and no help. But that’s what I’m proud of; I’ve had to overcome a good bit, but the biggest mountain to climb was myself. For the longest, I was my own downfall, my own roadblock. Accountability is like a checkpoint, and I’m glad I held myself responsible. My work, and my goals no longer suffer due to my own negligence on what needs to be done, and it definitely proves itself in my music.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
It’s a huge misconception that because we choose to be creative, we’re unable to apply ourselves to “Real Jobs” or “Blue Collar Jobs’. They think we choose to be creatives, solely on our inability to conform and “Get our hands dirty”. This couldn’t be so far from the contrary.
I’m a veteran. There are artists and creatives out here who are plumbers, builders, mechanics, salesmen, service industry workers, landscapers, Fedex, Amazon, UPS, etc. We choose to be creative, because it’s fulfilling. Most of us think that if I’m going to exhaust myself for something, I’m at least gonna have fun doing it. We’re just as capable, just as willing to sweat, but for good reason.
The age of working for a paycheck is gone. There is money everywhere, and in everything. If work is a requirement of life, I’ll choose what I work for.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
“Closed mouths don’t get fed.”
I really had to come into a space of establishing myself and what I’m looking for. It’s funny really, they say “Opportunity Knocks” but that’s impossible, because opportunity doesn’t find you. You really have to let it be known what you want. People, not just in the music industry, but literally everywhere, will take advantage of someone who doesn’t hold them accountable. It’s all about going and getting your own, and keeping it. I’m honestly still working on it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyperfollow.com/scottyk?fbclid=IwAR3FVngpY67IcHrDnvwlkBPxIrJN3hsY750ExSbzEkfYABBt2YkqBtJNN8s
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/therealscottyk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealscottyk
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-sheaffer-37160495/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottyk864
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBpcBMjrkrNKw6gSiK7zbg
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Xey20uS7WMfk5cxKaCHsW?si=fVdoT2VpT-6wgM_-crlEyg