Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zack King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Zack, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
At some point in their lives, everyone experiences the sensation of being misunderstood or misjudged. Personally, I have carried this sentiment throughout my life. It is not uncommon for individuals involved in creative pursuits to feel a sense of being misunderstood, but when combined with mental health challenges, it becomes an entirely different ordeal. Due to my mental health issues, I have always sensed that people fail to grasp who I truly am. Coping with anxiety and depression has been a significant driving force behind my decision to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter and artist. My aim is not only to employ music as a therapeutic outlet for myself, but also to utilize it as a medium to convey my messages and narratives centered around relationships, mental health struggles, and personal growth. By doing so, I aspire to assist others who are grappling not only with mental health difficulties, but also with the feeling of being misunderstood or misrepresented.
Zack, 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?
After graduating from college with a degree in marketing and advertising in 2018, I embarked on my music career. Initially, I envisioned a future in Corporate America, but as the months passed while working a 9-5 job, I came to the realization that it wasn’t the right path for me. Fate intervened, as I was laid off at the onset of the Covid pandemic, solidifying my belief that I needed something more fulfilling. Deep down, I always recognized my creative inclinations, yet I struggled to identify the specific outlet that would suit me best. Simultaneously, managing my mental health proved to be a challenge, necessitating a healthy channel for expressing my thoughts and emotions.
Though I had played guitar for some time, I had never pursued it seriously. Then, one day, I decided to pour my feelings onto paper, and unexpectedly, a melody resonated within me. In that transformative moment, I instinctively reached for my guitar and began to sing. I had never experienced such clarity regarding my path forward. Since then, I have released an album, an EP, and three new singles, with plans to release another full album in the upcoming year.
There are many products and services I provide with my music career. The first thing I provide to all of my fans is my free mental health community called “The Rebellion”: a vibrant and dynamic private pop-punk music community united by a shared passion for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Our mission is to create a safe and inclusive space for like-minded individuals to come together, jam out to the catchiest and most powerful pop-punk anthems, and foster meaningful connections. We not only talk about mental health and share our stories and difficulties, I also share behind the scenes content for my music career. If you’re wanting to be apart of The Rebellion, you can join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/zackkingstreetteam
I also sell fun experiences like virtual meet & greets, private acoustic livestreams, gigs/performances, and private house concerts. These are so much fun because I love connecting with fans and performing! If you want to book one of these experiences, you can check them out here: https://www.zackkingmusic.com/book-shows
The last thing I offer to my fans is merchandise. If you would like to check out my most recent merch line, click on this link: https://zackking.myshopify.com/
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My aspiration is not centered around fame or wealth. Instead, I strive to connect with individuals who share my passion for mental health advocacy, helping others, and a mutual love for pop-punk/pop-rock music. Through my personal journey in music and mental health, I have discovered my genuine purpose: to support those facing mental health challenges and to serve as a guiding beacon for all who are battling with their own struggles.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I used to believe that it was crucial to always push myself to the limit and keep working nonstop. I was stuck in this mindset for years. I thought I was doing a lot, but the truth was I was just burning myself out and not enjoying the journey. Over time, I realized that it’s actually better to take breaks and appreciate the hard work I’ve already done. It doesn’t mean I shouldn’t work hard, but it means I need to remember to take a breath, go for a walk, or do something I love. Doing this has actually made me more productive, healthier, and overall happier.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zackkingmusic.com
- Instagram: @zackkingmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/zackkingstreetteam
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC68OnYuIuFa9UpPMjhga38w
- Other: TikTok = https://www.tiktok.com/@zackkingmusic Linktree = https://linktr.ee/zackkingmusic
Image Credits
Emily Winzenz – https://www.instagram.com/emilywinzenz/