Meet Kela Sako | Vocalist & Lyricist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kela Sako and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kela, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work life balance is probably one of the most prominent struggles amongst (most) music makers. As with any goal you’re trying to reach, it takes a great investment in order to achieve it. That investment includes time, effort, drive, early mornings, late nights and of course, money.
Balancing a day job with a dream is not for the faint of heart. I used to prioritize my day job, as I saw it as a vital piece in achieving my music dream. I’d work my 9 to 5 and get to my music afterwards.
Over time, as I’ve become more engrained in my artistic process, I recognized within myself that if I want it, I have to go for it and go for it all the way – there is no one foot in, one foot out.
Instead of allowing my day job to dictate what I do throughout the week, I became more creative in choosing what I did for the day job, making more space & time for what is my priority – my dream.
I had to make sacrifices, I’ve had to struggle with odd hours and schedules, receive judgement from family or friends for not “climbing the ladder”.
However, through it all, I feel so much more balanced in my life overall. I work for the money I need to live, while having more time to work on what I need to thrive. The ladder doesn’t have to already be built in place; you can build it yourself and keep climbing it. That’s what work life balance means to me; prioritizing what makes you happy, not your boss, and not being afraid to take control of where your time goes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I don’t focus much on what sets me apart from others. Each of us has a story and some of us have a higher drive to share it. Everyone has their own mediums and for me, that’s writing & singing. The only thing that sets one apart from another is how hard and how far you’re willing to go for your art. I’m willing to go as hard and as far as I need to.
Before being signed by Pacific Records, I was in countless studios with all types of different engineers in several cities, trying to find my way and secure my sound.
At times I got lost, discouraged, sometimes scared. Fighting for the life you dream of is not easy and it does not get easier, you only become better at managing it all.
I’ve lost friends, connections, relationships. I’ve experienced much loss in my family, some being the closest people to me in the entire world. I have been near homeless, did the whole couch surfing thing all while still working the day job.
Though at the end of the many tunnels I’ve traversed, my music & lyrics were a light that kept me alive, breathing & well.

I kept on working & believing in my vision, no matter how delusional I seemed or how dark the days got.
I never stopped chipping away at it from different angles. I never stopped practicing, rehearsing, writing, studying the greats, always aiming to get better.
I never let my pen become dull. I allowed my experiences to fuel my passion.
I’ve always felt inside that the stage is my home, the studio my sacred space.

Now that I’ve found my place with Pacific Records, things are less scary. They’re more exciting & thrilling like a rollercoaster.
Along the way, I learned simply that things just take time. Don’t let the smoke and mirrors stop you, be extremely careful with the advice you choose to receive, cry a lot because it’s OK to cry… feel everything.
Don’t allow anyone’s judgement deter you. You are the creator and though we can’t control much, we can at least control what we choose to do with our time.

You don’t get time back. Don’t slow down for the speed bumps.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
San Diego is a metropolis of adventure, innovation and oceanside lifestyle.
If I had a visitor, we’d absolutely visit Convoy to eat. My all time favorite restaurant in the city is a little tucked away Japanese spot called Yakyudori. We’d definitely stop by Tacos El Gordo late night after dancing bachata at Seville in Gaslamp. We would make a week of visiting the cliff sides and beaches of the San Diego coast; Sunset Cliffs for coastal hiking, Tourmaline for watching both kooks & experts on the board (all love!), Windansea for chillingly beautiful water and rocky beaches that remind me of the Big Island. We’d make a pit stop at OB Noodle House for their tofu lettuce wraps and the Mission Beach boardwalk to risk our lives on the rickety rollercoaster & rides. I also really love wasting the day away with a guitar and cooler full of beer & sandwiches on the Del Mar shores.
Lastly, I would challenge my lucky friend to summit the mountaintops of San Diego. North and South Fortuna have become my personal favorites, but it would be a lot of fun to complete the whole 5-Peak challenge (maybe minus Cowles since it’s way too crowded, so 4-Peak challenge).
After a (very) long hike, a custom salad & hot soup from Baron’s Market (my favorite grocery store in the world right now) would be the only way to revive ourselves.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First & foremost I want to thank my mom, dad, sisters & brothers with all my heart for believing in me and for supporting my decision to dedicate my life to my music. I wouldn’t be on two feet without them.
Just as important to me as I consider them family, I’d like to give thanks and express infinite gratitude for my label, Pacific Records, and the entire team they’ve provided me with. Many, many thanks to Pacific Records CEO Brian Witkin & COO Donna Daly, my producer & engineer Patricio Pickslay, our PR manager Bart Mendoza, my A&R managers Jim & Reba Marabotto, my vocal coach Kristina Bennett, and everyone at Rock and Roll San Diego.
Without each and every one of these individuals & entities, I would be lost in the vast space of this music industry.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you – for every ounce of help, for your support, belief, encouragement, advancement and everything else you’ve done for and given me.

Thank you to every single live sound engineer & stagehand who helped me deliver a smooth and beautiful vocal performance at Winston’s OB, Music Box, 710 Beach Club, Humphrey’s Backstage and Belly Up. You truly are heroes in the industry; the set up & break down is so important to us artists, musicians, performers. None of that hard work goes unnoticed by me or my team.

Thank you to my photographer Nsub for capturing the most moving, magical photos on & off the stage, my videographer Stephen Tavares for making permanent the amazing performances & backstage memories, and my graphic designer Trysen ‘Tkay’ Kaneshige for protecting my brand by providing beautiful art and lettering.

I can’t say thank you enough. I can’t express in words how much it all means to me. My heart is touched and my life, forever transformed.

MAHALO NUI LOA a ALOHA AU IĀ ‘OE.

Website: https://lovekela.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/share/BAIMZgTlz3

Image Credits
NSUB
Alan Hess
Goappr Studios