Viral Careers: Kassia Zermon
In this series of interviews we’re talking to people about how they got to where they are. Find out about the key moments, and people, in the lives and careers of some of the creative people we most admire.
Name: Kassia Zermon
Job/occupation: Musician, artist and Artistic Director at The Rose Hill
Age: 40
Tell us about the work you do.
I do a million different things! :) here are some: I run a venue called The Rose Hill. Perform solo music and as part of a few different original band projects which tour nationally and internationally. Compose and record in my studio at The Rose Hill. Run Vocal improv and looping workshops. Promote nights occasionally and work for various young peoples projects eg. Viral, Audio Active, Miss Represented.
What did you want to do when you were 16?
I have a terrible memory about what I knew or didn’t know as career options but I KNEW I wanted to sing. I needed to be a singer but was too scared around that time to really go for it!
Was there a moment that opened up new possibilities and brought you to where you are today?
Kinda. I went away travelling at 18 years old. I remember this moment in India singing a Lauren Hill tune acapella to a group of peeps we had met. At that moment I had this powerful full-on feeling about singing and knew that when I got back I would go/had to go to college to study music.
Who has influenced your career?
Everyone I have ever played with or for. Audiences and musicians. My creative life is a constant collaboration with these people.
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
Sing your fucking heart out! Go for it! Play as much as you can for as long as you can and begin the journey ASAP!
Don’t care too much about what you ‘should’ do and just ‘do’. Do it because you love it! Let the creative impulse lead you and follow it wherever it leads. If you stay in touch with it and let the creativity lead then it will only flourish, grow and feed you. Don’t worry too much about what you are doing and just keep doing it, then you will look back at the shit you have made and it will tell you what it’s really about cos it has a life of its own!
It’s gonna be amazing — trust! Oh and try not to give a shit about what people think. If you mean what you do, they will feel it and respect it, even if it’s not what they are into — there a million ways to do everything and no one is gonna do what you do the way you do it — so just go for it! Use what you have to work with. If it’s a shit keyboard and some frying pan to hit — use that! If it’s a semi lame app on your smartphone use that… If you have access to proper high spec kit and are attracted to that then use that. It kinda doesn’t matter, it’s about what you do with what you have that speaks to people.
Some of the most amazing shit I have heard ever has been just someone singing acapella. Haha didn’t realise I had so much to say to ma 16 year old self :) Oh also learn the piano!!! so fucking useful… even if it’s just the basics.
Opportunities in the creative industries can be difficult to identify and aren’t always accessible, or visible, to young people from all backgrounds — something that our Viral project aims to change.
Please support our crowdfunding campaign and help make Viral 2019 happen.
Viral is a collaborative learning programme that provides production training, business development, mentoring, showcasing opportunities and peer-to-peer support for a diverse group of 16–25 year olds from Brighton and the surrounding areas.
Originally published at lighthouse.org.uk.
