Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa K.
Hi Melissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
“Bring them into your world!” My Dad would tell me moments before going on stage. My band is playing the crowd-pumping intro music, the audience is ramped up, my Dad and I are looking over the balcony to see a sold out crowd, it is time to rock the iconic Whisky A Go Go in a way that only I can deliver! It’s show time!! I strut down the stairs while singing my opening song, “Thunder,” and pointing to every single wonderfully wild person in the audience! We all go on a rock n’ roll journey together full of pop melodies, rock hooks and metal breakdowns while I sing hanging upside down from a band member, climbing scaffolding, going out in to the audience, and doing a slow-motion-backward-walking flip over the guitarist. We end the show on a literal high note with a song from my rock opera “Sorceress.” After my band and I leave the stage, my heart is so full from hearing the audience yell, “One more song! One more song! One more song!” We go back out and play Aerosmith’s “Dream On!” Afterward, I go offstage and back up the stairs, all sweaty and panting from giving it everything I had, to immediately go find my Dad. He would give me the biggest hug and the warmest, happiest smile and say, “I’m so proud of you. That was the best show yet!” These were such happy times; performing at The Whisky every month and recording my original songs to be released with my band; the songs that I spent my entire childhood writing with my Dad!
It just took one night for everything to change. I went from rocking out with my band, acting in shows on Hulu, HBO, and in national commercials, singing the National Anthem at stadium-packed basketball games, reaching creative goals, building a fun and fantastic following, and having all the hope and joy in the world… to being in crippling, heartbreaking, and agonizing despair. This despair prevented me, not only from performing music, but even from just listening to music. Being creative was out of the question and goals seemed trivial. This is the night that changed my life; the night that my Dad passed away in my arms.
I grew up writing songs with my Dad. He was my main source of motivation and he and my Mom inspired me to become the person that I am today. My Dad and I would pretend to do radio shows when I was four years old. I would be the special guest singer, of course. When I was six, we found out that I can really sing. I sang my favorite Styx song, “Show Me the Way,” with a strong belt and vibrato that could go on for days. At eight, I wrote my first song called “Razzle Dazzle.” At eleven, I was booked as a solo artist for my first concert at a theme park. This is where we came up with my temporary stage name that ended up sticking for life, “Melissa K.” By fifteen, I was performing all over Southern California and winning Battle of the Bands competitions without even having a band. At sixteen, I played at the Whisky A Go-Go for the first time, which later became my home venue! I had songs reach the top of The Top 40 Mainstream Independent Music Charts (just from their radio tests!), won Best Female Artist Awards, Best Actress Awards, earned six degrees, graduated from USC, and joined forces with the best musicians in LA to form ‘The Melissa K Band’ that eventually became ‘Black Velvet.’ My Dad came up with the name; which of course makes it extra sentimental. After a childhood of being fully immersed in practicing and preparing over six hours a day to perform and entertain, the beginning of my career didn’t feel like the beginning, but rather a lifetime of carefully curated art and expertise.
After three years of grieving, I have found comfort in God and in the loved ones that I am blessed to have in my life. Sometimes the happiest of people have a deeply nestled sorrow and grief behind their warm, friendly smile. I know many people can relate to loss and unwanted life adjustments. Loving each other is what living is all about! In the end, I’ve found that it is God and the people in your life that matter the most; not accomplishments; although those are amazing blessings that come from your God-given gifts. Love is what surpasses lifetimes and God is the source of love. Looking into the eyes of the people around me during the darkest time in my life brought me much needed joy. This is the outlook I have onstage while looking out into the audience of wonderful people who all have a story of their own.
With nearly 100 songs locked and loaded to be officially released, my “debut” album will be a force of nature! Literally. Many of the song titles are about nature like “Thunder,” “Tidal Wave,” and “Fight Fire!” They have positive messages about inner strength and love; as well as help exhilarate you into a headspace to take on the world! Look out for this very special album release because I will also be including the actual demo recordings of these very same songs I recorded with my Dad when I was a kid!!
Following this, I will most likely release my long-anticipated Rock Opera album called “Sorceress!”
Also keep a look out for the series called “All At Once,” written and directed by Mustafa Eck. It is a dark comedy about an engaged couple from different cultural backgrounds and how they navigate through dramatic, life-changing family events. It stars comedian Paul Elia, Maz Siam (The Chosen), John Wilcox (Modern Family) and myself!
Now I do music from an even deeper place of passion and strength. As a performing artist, I can be creative as a way to help others in the way that I was comforted by others. I have found joy again in expressing love through the forms of entertainment that shaped my childhood and ultimately helped me when I desperately needed an escape from the pain. The talents and passions that my Dad helped me to actualize throughout my life are my source of expression of love. I do it for him, I do it for God, I do it for me, and I do it for you. I truly learned the meaning of love. It is the power of love that moves me on the stage, the screen, and through the world. I hope my art finds its way to your heart and brings you joy like it does for me!
Thank you, Voyage LA, for reaching out and for introducing me to wonderful stories of cool people all over LA!
Love,
Melissa K
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been rocky (pun intended!) It has rocked..and it has rocked me. Performing rock music has provided some of the most special and best of times in my life! However, I have also been through many personal obstacles that I will share at some point, but the main and worst one being the loss of my Father. I feel like the worst has happened and not much can bring me down at this point. My heart is always going to have sadness and happy moments will feel bittersweet, but the silver lining is that I am stronger, more fearless, and closer to God.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Aside from being on the Global Leaderboard in a small mobile game ‘Tower Duel,’ I would say I am your next musical artist that will have you specifically saying, “I can’t wait to see Black Velvet in LA later this year!” “And see Melissa do that flip thing!”
I would say I specialize in performance art, singing, acting, business, and eating cheez-its while binge watching sci-fi shows with Eddie. (*Eddie Ramos: My boyfriend and drummer for Black Velvet and the Lakers band!)
One of the things I am known for is being one of the women who have played at the Whisky a Go Go the most, which is an honor! I also started a nonprofit called ‘Grocery Give’ to help provide groceries to people in need. Also known to have memorable shows, catchy songs, and a rock opera! What I would most like to be known for is someone who brings you banger songs, good entertainment, and who undeniably pumps you up!
I am most proud of the connections that I make with people through my music and shows! Brightening someone’s day, inspiring someone, making a new friend, or even just putting a smile on someone’s face makes it all worthwhile.
Everyone is unique in their own way! My particular brand can be summed up as a “rocker-rebel with a cause” with catchy hooks and inspirational, outrageous performances.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It is important to know that your gifts and talents are actually gifts for others to enjoy. Don’t keep them to yourself! They are yours to offer. Practice and hone in on your craft so that you can better serve the world! Something that I wish I knew is that life is short and you don’t have to wait until you’re perfect to take action. Authenticity is more important than perfection! What helps me, personally, is that the more I pray, the more clarity I have with all aspects of life; including music and acting! It takes the stress out of what can be a stressful career. Take it one day at a time and enjoy the ride!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heyitsmelissak.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/heyitsmelissak and www.instagram.com/blackvelvet_music
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMelissaKPage and www.facebook.com/BLACKVELVETmusic
- Twitter: x.com/heyitsmelissak_ and x.com/MelissaKBand
Image Credits
Christopher Violette, Jack Lue, Erica Vincent, Tommaso Boddi, Craig Newman
