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

Hi Kam, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My balance is getting better everyday, but there is always room for improvement. I think about the balance by reminding myself that mastering it will only benefit me and my overall well-being in the long run. A healthy and sustainable work life balance takes time, mistakes, and trying again, but I really am enjoying the process of trying to figure it all out.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an interdisciplinary artist. I started singing at age 5, and I’ve been performing professionally since I was 17. I started writing poetry at age 11, and I started focusing more on creative writing in high school. I joined my band, The Suffers, in 2011. We have been touring since 2015, and we just completed our third studio album.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I started building large scale art installations within my home studio to encourage me to perform more exciting virtual performances for my fans. The first installation was called “The Sequin Sanctuary”, and it was followed by nine other installations that same year. My first in person art show will be this August in Houston, TX, and it’s entitled “Waxing Gibbous” sponsored by Fresh Arts’ SpaceTaking Residency.

I’ve gotten to this point in my career via a healthy mix of hard work, opportunity, and kindness. While it didn’t always work out in my favor, I overcame a lot of the challenges I faced at a young age by practicing, pushing through, educating myself on many different sectors of my industry, and learning how to be gentle with myself. It’s been many tough lessons to learn, but the payoff has been tremendous.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whenever I’m in Denver, I love visiting the botanic gardens and going to concerts! Red Rocks Amphitheater is a sight to see and experience, but if I wanted to show someone a good time, I’d want to show them some of the super fun smaller venues that Denver has to offer. From the Bleubird Theater and Cervantes, to Globe Hall and Lost Lake Lounge, you really can’t go wrong.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my inner circle of friends and family. I couldn’t have gotten through last year without your love and support, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by such a loving group of folks. Y’all know who you are!

Website: https://linktr.ee/KamFranklin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bamitskam/?hl=en

Image Credits
photo one with just my face please credit : Joshua Asante The other 4 photos please credit: Reggie Mathalone

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.