Conversations with LA Karaoke League

Today we’d like to introduce you to LA Karaoke League.

Hi LA Karaoke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
LA Karaoke League was born out of a desire to foster a community that enjoyed having fun, being yourself, and supporting each other while helping people live that inner rockstar fantasy. Let’s be honest, we’ve all have those moments whether it’s in a car screaming “Since U Been Gone” at the top of your lungs when you’re stuck in traffic or belting out “I Will Always Love You” at the top of your lungs in the shower because the acoustics are amazing.

Originally, we operated on the westside near Culver City and eventually found our current venue (The Good Nite) in the valley where we perform on Wednesdays @8PM followed by Open Karaoke that the venue hosts. We are still interested in expanding to different parts of LA.

Currently, we are tied to our parent organization: United Karaoke which has brought Karaoke League to Chicago, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and we’ve heard whispers there may be an Orlando League starting.

In October of 2024, we even had our first National Competition in Washington DC that has at least 300 people in attendance in person and live streaming.

We have performers from all walks of life: seasoned theater kids, people working on stage fright, people with high pressure jobs that just want to let loose and have a good time. One of our veterans has been with us for TWENTY seasons.

We typically have three seasons per year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. We’re currently wrapping up our Summer Season on July 30.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing is ever a smooth road. lol

We’d like to do more, but I think we’ve been flying under the radar as far as publicity and getting the word out is concerned. It’s just a little difficult to work full time while trying to balance a personal life and managing LAK behind the scenes, but so rewarding.

It’s always fun when I’m chatting with someone and I mention Karaoke League. Their eyes widen and their response is usually “Karaoke League? That exists?” and whether it’s performers or staff, it’s always great to explain its a competitive, team-based league, and yes, it’s real.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Let me start off by saying: singing in public is much like public speaking, and it’s difficult. Public speaking is still ranked as the number 1 fear for most people. Add onto that the vulnerability from singing, and it makes a lot of people nervous.

As someone that was a performer and took the reins from other seasoned and well-respected performers that also managed, I think it’s easy to share that we’re proud of our community and the growth of the performers.

You get to know these performers as people and friends. Many of us have shared outside activities with each other ranging from concerts, D&D, obsession about certain reality shows, etc. We celebrate milestones like birthdays, new children, and adoptions. And for some, this even gives them an opportunity for growth in a safe space.

Weekly, we watch people push past their comfort zones and give everything they have to a performance. It’s also quite cathartic to know you can go on stage, perform your heart out and not be worried about if you absolutely bombed. Knowing that you’re supported and that no matter if you made a mistake or missed a note, it gives you the confidence you need be yourself and in turn it can impact you positively in your real life.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Me personally? My mom used to say that she was so scared I would get kidnapped when I was little because I loved talking to people. For the most part, that’s still the same (just not the kidnapping). It’s always great to connect with people and I think that’s one of the reasons I love the arts.

Music, especially, allows us to reach inside of ourselves and share a little bit of who we are with our song choices, the variations of notes, and express emotions. When I was very young, I would dance on our coffee table like it was a stage and sing. I’ve always been drawn to creative hobbies, and when a friend from work introduced me to this world, I haven’t looked back.

Perhaps I’m a bit too longwinded or flowery with my explanation, but this league does mean so much to a lot of people.

Pricing:

• For registration we typically have early bird, regular, and late bird options ranging from around $60-80.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/wesingla/