We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ames King. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Ames, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was when I was performing with my band. Performing has always been a source of fulfilment for me. Performing is where I feel most at home, whether that’s singing or acting. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way than to be on stage doing what I love with some of my favorite people. I feel the most fulfilled and like myself when I am on stage with my friends.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ames King (aka Mx. Sara Bellum), and I am a performer based in Kansas City. I am the lead singer and lyricist for Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves, a quirky 7-piece safe-space dance-punk band featuring unconventional sounds, such as viola and Foley SFX.
The most important message we wish to convey as a band is to highlight the importance of mental health. Mental health issues often have a stigma attached to them, and for that reason, they’re frequently deemed too challenging or taboo to talk about. A lot of times, these thoughts and feelings, then, get brushed under the rug. Our mission is to remind our listeners that they are not alone. We all struggle sometimes, but we can lean on our community and our support system in order to lift each other up.
The Brainwaves have been cooking up an EP over this past year, and we are nearly finished tracking it. Keep an eye on our social media and an ear out for our quirky tunes in the new year!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I must learn to release the part of myself that lets my fears take the driver’s seat. I spent much of my life avoiding the things that scare me. I kept myself small to evade fear and ridicule. But no matter how much I hide, I know I can never fully avoid it, and I would much rather be my authentic self than shield myself behind a facade of safety or be someone that other people want me to be.
My stage fright, especially, ruled most of my life. I have chickened out of countless auditions, and even after years of gradually building my confidence through choir and theater experience, schooling, and vocal lessons, it took a lot of willpower to overcome my fear of singing in front of people. But ultimately, I decided I didn’t want to hide anymore. I started pushing myself to sing at karaoke nights at the Black Box in the West Bottoms and, eventually, perform live shows with my band. I still struggle with my stage fright, but I don’t let it control me anymore. It is a non-linear journey, but I am not letting fear take the driver’s seat anymore. I know that I don’t have to hide to stay safe, and I’m releasing that outdated belief.
Being seen and heard helped me find my community, and that is all I’ve ever wanted. Showing the world who you are, without fear, will help you recognize who is truly in your corner. Always be your true, authentic self and make sure you have fun doing it!
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and using it as my power when I started writing lyrics for my band, Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves. My lyrics have given me a creative outlet to sit down and process all of the big feelings that come from the trauma that I endured in my youth. Through the band, I was able to transmute those thoughts and feelings into songs that I am very proud of and songs that I hope help others feel less alone.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie the entertainment industry tells itself is that artists must constantly be creating and performing to be successful. Artists are human, yet we keep expecting them to be superhuman. Many artists go on long tours and perform night after night, while their fans still expect them to continuously push out more art and content. Fans often get impatient if they feel an artist is taking too long to release more art. The problem with this expectation is that it doesn’t account for the fact that artists are human. They have lives, families, and hardships just like anyone else, and often struggle with mental and physical health issues brought on by their art.
Humans are imperfect, and artists need to be able to take breaks. We live in a society that is constantly on the go, romanticizes the grind, and often leads to burnout. Artists not only have to figure out how to survive in said society, but also how to create despite it all. If we have to constantly crank out new material, then how are we supposed to have time to experience life and get inspired to create that material? Art takes time. Life takes time. We don’t have to set stressful deadlines to keep the fans happy. The right ones are willing to stay and be patient with the craft. Oftentimes, if we allow ourselves to take our time, the art will be better for it. Art deserves to go at its own pace and be nurtured. As local legends Land Lion say, “Make art, not content.”
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am doing what I was born to do. I have always felt that I was meant to be a performer. As a kid, I would practice singing in my room where no one could hear me. I would write lyric ideas in my journal, but I wouldn’t let anyone read them. I’ve always felt a pull to the stage, but I was afraid of being ridiculed and judged. Deep down, I’ve always believed that this is what I was meant to do, but I was too scared to admit it, even to myself. Eventually, I stopped letting fear take the wheel and decided to follow the call that I had always felt.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbatbwband/
Image Credits
Bailey Gabbert and Rainen
