Meet K. Calloway | Musician & Founder of The K. Calloway Foundation

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

Hi K., how do you think about risk?
I see risk as something that is similar to betting on yourself and stepping out on faith. Taking a risk is the first step to believing in your mindset and skills in a world where opportunities are endless. Betting on myself was the best thing that ever happened to me because it grew my faith. I had doubts when it came to stepping out and building my brand as a musician and starting my nonprofit. I kept playing compare and contrast to everyone around and I felt as if this was something I did not need to do right away, but it was something in me that was louder than my doubts telling me to go for it because the one thing I had a lot of people didn’t was faith and support. The way life was moving for me, God started to show me my purpose, and that when I stay focus on what he has for me, His power will continue to work in my favor.

Life is not exciting and worthwhile if we do not take risk. We’ll be stuck and confined to just one thing, or to a norm that will often cause a mindset of comfortability that is not of our dreams and aspirations. I believe in going after what I want and what is on my mind and the only way to do so is to take risks. Taking a risk and walking out on faith has been the steps to my elevation, and it is only the beginning.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Creating visuals and giving an experience while performing live is my art. As a musician, I look at my music through many lens and paths. I play the saxophone, but I have also taught myself piano, percussion, and currently I am learning guitar and flute. Through the many instruments I play, I try to create a sound and visual that is different than most. One example is when I do my saxophone covers or visuals for social media. I try to create a different background (set) at times than me just standing there playing my horn with a track behind me. I kind of make it as if it is my own little music video. Sometimes I often switch it up and produce and manipulate a track to where I’m creating mashups and playing on top of them, or just creating my own beat.

As I said before, I take pride in live instrumentation so I started a project in 2020 that I believe I will continue for years to come. I created the Sounds of Christmas. I get a group of musicians that I know together, and I do a live recording (taping) of us performing three Christmas songs. It’s basically a Christmas cover, but we jazz it up and remix the songs a little. I try to do different things like that.

It is not easy putting together a band or just creating a space for live instrumentation to be recorded because it takes proper planning, resources, and, most importantly, money. This is why I use the individuals around me that are growing as well. I call people I know, and I bring our talents together. That is one way I get through certain bumps in the road that I may face financially time to time. I don’t mind investing solely into things if I have no other choice, but I also believe in collaboration. It has been times I played for free just to gain experience and connections on what some people may call “at home projects”. My goal is to create a space for real musicians. I want individuals to come together and grow, creating a bond and space that will elevate. Basically creating our own table to sit at and enjoy.

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?
I am a very “low key” person when it comes to where I hang out, but I’ll get to that later.

I love doing different activities across the city, and one place I would take my friend(s) that is visiting Atlanta, is somewhere fun and exciting like Pin and Proper or Puttshack. Pin and Proper is an entertainment space which host the game of “Pinfall”. Pinfall is football and bowling put together, where you have two teams with bowling pins set up across from each other. Using a football, the teams take turns and try to knock down each other pins, First team to knock all the opposing pins down win! Puttshack is a mini golf experience with various themed and creative courses. I am a very competitive person sometimes, so these are just two exciting spots to get active.

As far as going to get a drink and just hanging out, I would take my friend to the Trap Music Museum. The museum is a nice spot to experience something that can only be experienced in Atlanta, where you’ll be able to experience culture, good music, and great drinks. Another place I would take them is Guac y Margys. Guac y Margys is a new find for me. It is located on the Beltline. They have amazing tacos, dip, empanadas, and more, but they are mostly known for their AMAZING margaritas and speciality drinks! The margaritas (or margs), come in different sizes, such as single, double, and pitcher. If you get a double, you are in for a rude awakening! It’s a good place to go get a drink and enjoy the Beltline. They have different events from time to time as well.

As I stated before I am a very low key person, so I mostly like to hang out at places that are known as “underground” or “hole in the wall” places. Basically places which express so much culture and vibes. So, it is only right to take my friends that visit, out into the town and show them how I really like to hang. I would take them to Poetry on Peter, which is an open mic Poetry event that takes place every other Monday at Peters Street Station. The poetry event consist of a nice vibe with a bar, $5 dollar wine, vendors, an art exhibit with a different theme every week, and a live band! Kat’s Cafe is another small, underground spot I would take a friend if they were to come visit. Every Thursday night, Kat’s Cafe host an open mic where a lot of underground talent and local artist, or musicians, go and jam out. I found this place during the pandemic and it was amazing when I went for the first time. I felt like I fit right in and it really taught me a lot as a musician planning with others. If you want to go though, get there in time to get a table or a seat.

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?
I want to dedicate this shout out to my parents, grandmother, and my Aunti Tequilla and Uncle Ronald. Each one of them have supported me with prayers, support, love, and encouraging words through my creative and giving journey in life thous far.

Website: https://linktr.ee/KCalloway

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kaicalloway

Image Credits
Jordan Peterson ( @revisionphotographyandmedia ) Rich ( @therealpicplug )