Meet Sean Kellz

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sean Kellz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?

There was a point in my life where I STRUGGLED with being creative musically. I believe I was putting limits on myself, thinking about the parameters of my writing, what to write about, who’ll hear it, the opinions to follow. Wanting the contagiousness of a smooth catalog of music but afraid to accept less than what I thought the outcome would sound like. I was playing it safe, putting up blocks FOR MYSELF. Once I stopped playing it safe, it was like a flood of passion unlocked. I literally don’t can’t and don’t want to turn the switch off.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

If you don’t know, I’m a musician. I sing how I play. I play how I sing. I’ve found the career that I thoroughly enjoy. From the metaphors in songwriting to performing on stages I thought I’d never stand on. Glad I stuck with living the dream. Currently, I recently dropped a new song, WestCoast Christmas, streaming everywhere. It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve written thus far. I’ve spent the last 10 years building my life and career in Los Angeles and wanted to give the love back to the city. Got a few shows coming up this month with some dope musicians and friends to sing with.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

When I started my journey, my brand/motto was “Forever Humble”, but what I was lacking was a back bone, some boundaries, and the discipline to stay committed when it got hard. I feel like these things go hand in hand. No boundaries? No back bone. No back bone? No discipline. No discipline? No boundaries. If you’re reading this and you’re chasing your dreams for whatever career, I pray you stay aware of those looking to take advantage of your gift, want to use you for their gain, and those who are silently jealous of you. Understand the difference in building work relationships and being the nice guy in them. I realized some friendships can’t do business because of the emotional attachment. I see my worth in my business and it’s no hard feelings to anyone I encounter who can’t. Let’s keep it professional.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

Ooooooo, would I favor the jack of all trades or the master to one? “A multi-tool is only as effective as the wielder.” I believe it’s smart to have a skill/strength mastered. I also believe a well oiled machine has more momentum being balanced or well rounded. Growth will always be a part of life in every aspect. It’s all priority based and attribute building. If what’s lacking isn’t killing my business or personal life, does it need my immediate attention? If my strengths are getting all the attention, how will that affect my weaknesses in the long run? To answer the question, balance is the strength I’d go all in on. Why? It’s like working out. If all you want to do is build your biceps, don’t enter for a 5K marathon. You’ll get your feelings hurt.

I realized on this solo road that playing the saxophone and singing weren’t my only gifts, just the two that had most of my attention. To better myself and these God given gifts, I worked on my songwriting, producing, marketing, reading sheet music, as well as practicing my performances (how much dancing with two left feet that I could do before I threw myself off the beat or forgot my lyrics or riff). I want to say self confidence was a weakness I dealt with too. Had I not put in the work on that, it’d still be a manifesting dream and we wouldn’t be here today.

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Image Credits

Omaha Hendrix

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