Latest / Unbalanced with Cerys Davage / 2. The one handed two handed Musician (ft. Rightkeysonly)

Transcript

2. The one handed two handed Musician (ft. Rightkeysonly) · Unbalanced with Cerys Davage

0:09
Hello everyone and welcome to Unbalanced Podcast with me Kara
0:14
Savage. I am so excited because today
0:18
I'm recording my first ever interview episode.
0:22
Please welcome right Keys only. Hello.
0:25
How are you doing? I'm doing really good.
0:27
It's really cool to be back in radio platform.
0:29
I've been here in ages, I know. Yeah.
0:31
So today guys, we're filming in Radio Platform, which is a
0:35
little studio in Cardiff Bay in the Wales Millennium Center.
0:39
So I used to have a show in radio platform and it's great to
0:42
be back and you were working in radio platform as well.
0:45
Yeah, I used to be the like, the radio broadcasting assistant,
0:48
like last year, and then like I went off in fulltime in music.
0:51
So, oh wow, A bit wild, really. Yeah.
0:54
Well, it's nice that this is like the first time we meet, but
0:56
we're in a place that we both have connections to, so that's
0:59
nice. So right, Keys only.
1:01
Tell me a bit about yourself. Where are you from?
1:03
What do you do? So I'm from Aberdare.
1:06
I was originally born in Germany.
1:07
So, like, I always feel like a Taurus, right?
1:10
Wow. But I'm a full time musician.
1:12
I recently got into like electronic dance music, so like
1:15
kind of like drum and bassy ravy kind of stuff.
1:19
Wow. Yeah.
1:20
I like to drop it like it's hot. Yeah, that's so cool.
1:24
So you have a condition called IBS palsy, am I right?
1:27
Yeah. So this is kind of a new concept
1:29
for me. I don't really know much about
1:31
it, so do you mind telling me a bit more about it?
1:33
Yeah, so in short, IBS palsy basically means that my left arm
1:37
is partly paralyzed because of like nerve damage due to birth
1:40
complications. And normally if they catch it
1:43
within three months of a baby being born, they can rectify it.
1:46
But at the time, like this was like 23 years ago, the the
1:50
doctors that it was so rare, they didn't know what it was.
1:53
And I was in Germany born, so like, they even more so.
1:55
It wasn't that medically advanced.
1:58
It was only when we came over to the UK we actually found like
2:00
only two specialists knew about the condition.
2:04
But like absolutely changed my life.
2:05
Like my left arm was like fully paralyzed when I was born and
2:09
now I can move it a little bit. I've had a lot of surgery, but
2:12
it's like it's given me a lot more than I would have.
2:14
And my specialist actually did the first double hand transplant
2:17
like ever. Yeah.
2:18
In madness. Yeah.
2:20
Wow. So you were born with it, but
2:22
you weren't diagnosed until a lot later.
2:24
How old are you? It would have been like probably
2:26
about a year old, which is like quite like late when you think
2:29
about it. But so when I was born, the
2:31
nerve condition affected my eye as well, like the damage that
2:34
happened. And so it would droop when I was
2:36
sleepy, right. And absolutely cute when your
2:39
baby, not as an adult, but. But so the doctors thought I'd
2:44
had a stroke because my arm was paralyzed and my eye was
2:46
drooping. So they put it down to that, but
2:48
yeah. Mad.
2:50
Honestly, yeah, so it's quite a rare condition, Am I right to
2:53
say that? Yeah, it is.
2:54
And mine's actually like considered like the worst in the
2:57
UK for what it is like said usually they catch it, rectify a
3:00
little bit and yeah, it's weird. You like even when I've gone to
3:03
like events with like the Herbs Palsy group, which is like the
3:06
only charity in the UK, like it's mad because my arm looks
3:09
different from everybody else. It's like most people.
3:11
You wouldn't even be able to tell where is mine shorter and
3:14
things like that and. Yeah.
3:16
So it was fully paralyzed, but you said now you've had surgery
3:20
on it and you can kind of move it a bit more.
3:23
What's that been like? You know, knowing what it was
3:25
like when it was paralyzed? I mean, I would have, wouldn't
3:28
have known because I was so little when it happened, but I I
3:31
so, like I was in and out of surgery until about 16.
3:36
Yeah, like constantly. That was like a constant thing.
3:39
But like, so I had a family member asked me recently if,
3:42
like, I could have two normal arms.
3:44
Would I? And I was like, no.
3:45
And they were really confused because they're like, well, we
3:48
have two hands. It works great.
3:49
Like, why wouldn't you? And I was like, well, that would
3:51
be like suddenly giving you a paralyzed arm that you it just
3:54
wouldn't feel normal. Like, this has been my life, you
3:57
know, just having arms this way. Yeah.
3:59
And it makes you who you are as. Well, 100%, yeah.
4:02
And I'm sure you've had a lot of experiences related to this that
4:05
you wouldn't have had if you had to, you know, fully functioning
4:08
arms. Honestly, I think I would have
4:10
been a really boring person. Like literally, like what was it
4:13
like 13? I was in the Welsh Paralympic
4:14
team and like a gold medalist in five sports for the time I was
4:18
like 19 and then like, and now I'm in music and like doing
4:21
that. I've been like a BBC Introducing
4:22
Wales artist. And like a lot of my music was
4:25
pushed because like disability isn't as accepted in the music
4:28
scene even now. And so like my, my impairment
4:32
has like. Shoved so much what I've done,
4:34
like it's driven me so much. I don't think I would have had
4:37
that experience if I didn't have it.
4:39
Definitely. Wow, that is amazing.
4:41
So you said you're in the music industry.
4:44
What's that been like, kind of with a disability?
4:46
Have you felt accepted or have there been any major hurdles?
4:50
So the majority of the music scene is like so accepting and
4:54
it is like so willing to like learn and grow.
4:57
But when I started, I was in a band and I was just, I was a
5:00
singer in the band. And I remember going to like an
5:02
open mic night, and the host of the night like, was so lovely at
5:06
first because we were completely new.
5:07
And then he went into the microphone before we went on.
5:09
He's like, we've got some amazing musicians tonight and
5:12
we've got a singer, but we all know singers aren't real music
5:15
musicians. And at least she's hot.
5:17
And that was me yet to the entire audience, just as we were
5:20
about to go on. And so like that moment was such
5:24
like a triggering point where it's like.
5:27
I have to prove that wrong And like within that year I learned
5:31
how to produce in my bedroom in uni, became a BBC Introducing
5:35
Wales artist on those played on radio there, did my first
5:38
festivals and like yeah, like it really drove me.
5:42
And then I started to learn how to make music using just vocals,
5:45
because I was like, if singers aren't musicians I'm going to
5:47
prove that wrong. So I learned beatboxing.
5:49
I would like make music using just my voice in a loop station
5:53
on my pub floors and. Yeah, and then now I learn to
5:56
produce and like, try and make the industry way more accessible
5:59
than it is because it's just not mainstream yet.
6:01
Wow, that's so cool. And I love that kind of that
6:04
negative experience that you had has driven you to, like, prove
6:08
them wrong and do even more. That's such an awful thing to
6:11
say. I'm so sorry.
6:12
Oh, it's all right. Even when I was beatboxing, I
6:14
literally had musicians come up to me and they were like, oh,
6:16
you're using your voice. It's not real music.
6:18
And I'm like, music is just making sound.
6:20
You could tap on the table and that's making music.
6:23
Yeah, exactly. So what's your favorite kind of
6:26
stuff to do music wise, like with your voice?
6:29
My favorite. Thing to do with my voice, I
6:31
don't know. I used to like making like
6:33
different like drum sounds, like the generic beatboxing.
6:36
And I think that's why, like, now I'm so, like into like,
6:39
electronic dance and drum and bass because there's just
6:41
something about a beat, like in a heavy bass line that is so
6:45
calming. Especially because I've got,
6:46
like, ADHD as well. OK Yeah.
6:49
Can you give us a little sample of your beatboxing?
6:52
Oh my. God like this could be so bad.
6:54
Like it's like, oh God, this could be horrendous.
6:57
Come on, give us a beat. OK, you got.
6:59
Yeah, yeah, yeah. What's it?
7:00
What do you call it? Hihat or it's like a Oh yeah, do
7:03
you? Reckon you can do it?
7:05
Oh yeah, Like sharp, Kind of. And then you've got your like
7:10
you sort of like kicks with like kind of sound.
7:13
OK, just like a. And then you just keep building
7:18
on top of it. So you've got your lower kicks
7:20
then which are like kind of noise, but you do it really deep
7:24
into the microphone, so it like echoes through.
7:28
Yes. Yes.
7:29
Wow. So you've basically got a whole
7:31
drum kit in your voice? Yeah, from what I hear, the
7:35
music industry is kind of progressing to be a bit more
7:38
accessible to everyone, but I still feel like there's a long
7:41
way to go. And have you come across many
7:44
other disabled people in the music industry?
7:46
Slowly now I'm like starting to come across a lot of it because
7:50
like everything I do, like, I promote it a lot through like
7:52
social media now, right? Like it's the place to be.
7:54
Like you want to share stuff and like people are like reaching
7:58
out, connecting from like charities and organizations and
8:00
stuff like that. And it's so nice to like.
8:03
See other people who like I can relate to in in like media or
8:08
social media because when I was little you didn't have that like
8:11
we had the Paralympics, but it was like on a different channel,
8:13
you know, like that was the closest you got to light
8:15
inclusion. And so like seeing like there
8:18
was a person with a expose on like some Netflix show recently
8:21
who's like this mega famous fashion designer now and stuff
8:24
like that. And to have those role role
8:26
models there is like, Oh my God, I'm seeing I'm represented.
8:30
Yeah. Wow.
8:31
That's so interesting. Did you say you were sporty as
8:33
well? Yeah, Yeah.
8:35
So you did a lot of sports when you were younger?
8:37
Yeah, so only when I was like 13 onwards.
8:40
So like I was never allowed to run or like do sports in school
8:44
in case like, I fell over and hurt my arm.
8:46
Like my arm was like the gold, you know, you got protected and
8:49
what, like one day my mate was like, oh, I really want to do
8:52
cross country. And I was like, you know, I
8:53
can't run. Like this is such a bad idea.
8:56
I'm going to be so unfit. And like, we went and did it and
8:59
like, halfway through one of the coaches, like, oh, we've got
9:01
like some throwing activities going on.
9:04
Like we're training for like the county games or school games or
9:07
whatever. And would you like to try?
9:09
And I was like, yes, please, like I'm dying right now.
9:11
I'm sweating through my eyeballs.
9:12
This is disgusting. And like whenever I tried discus
9:16
and like instantly they were like come to the county games.
9:19
Got gold at the County Games and then was instantly picked up by,
9:22
like, the Welsh Paralympic team did a session with them and
9:24
they're like, hey, we're gonna get you training in Portugal and
9:27
Spain, we're gonna take you all around the UK.
9:28
Like my life was suddenly just planned out.
9:30
And yeah, I just kicked off. It was mad.
9:33
Yeah, crazy. Do you still do a lot of disgust
9:36
and for the Paralympic stuff now?
9:38
So I came away from it when I was about 20, but I still do
9:42
like a lot of like, I like a fitness challenge.
9:44
So I'm currently training for like 1/2 marathon.
9:47
I do like sort of like strongman, like weightlifting
9:50
stuff. I recently was able to do like
9:53
5100 press. That's in like 2 minutes.
9:56
That was pretty cool. Yeah, that was insane.
9:58
So that one must be so strong, honestly.
10:01
So I feel like Popeye on one side, right?
10:05
I'm always worried it's going to like off balance.
10:08
Well, this podcast is called Unbalanced.
10:12
Oh wow, that's so cool. So you told me that you have a
10:15
DHD as well. Is that a new diagnosis?
10:18
Yeah. So that is new.
10:19
I was literally diagnosed about a month and a half ago, which
10:22
is, is, is kind of mad to like, you know, like have it like at
10:26
23 years old because you've sort of like you have these habits
10:29
and characteristics. But it's sort of taught that
10:31
it's normal and you have to, like, work out how to deal with
10:33
them. And so to have someone sit down
10:35
and be like, actually there's a reason that you feel a little
10:37
bit different is like really affirming but also very odd at
10:41
the same time, you know? Yeah, Yeah.
10:44
So what kind of symptoms would you say you have?
10:48
It's like very hyperactive, very like impulsive kind of thing.
10:52
Not like like, I've learned to manage it over the years, so I
10:55
made like this massive bucket list one.
10:57
So just all these random things I wanted to do right and.
11:00
It'd be like random stuff, like I'd be in union and suddenly go,
11:02
I want to go up three mountains in three days and we'll just go
11:05
the next morning, which is amazing.
11:07
Like I was hiking up all around whales and like sleeping in my
11:09
car boot with two dogs and stuff like it was madness.
11:12
So there's like positive ways to manage those kinds of things.
11:16
But then there was stuff that I had to learn as well, so like
11:18
learning how to make sure I ate properly and things that are
11:20
especially coming from professional sports, you know.
11:23
Yeah, you know, things like that.
11:25
Like a really important Yeah. So it really sounds like you've
11:27
taken something that could, you know, affect your life
11:30
negatively into something really positive.
11:32
I love that. That's just like, I love that
11:34
you have such a positive kind of outlook on how to maintain it in
11:38
the best possible way. Like your bucket list.
11:40
That's insane. You sound like a very
11:42
spontaneous person. Oh, hundred.
11:44
Percent, I mean, like music was kind of the same, right?
11:47
So like, obviously that guy said the, you know, the words he
11:49
didn't know for Mike. And it was like a switch went
11:52
off on my brain. You know, for a lot of people
11:53
that's like can be really off putting.
11:55
But I'm straight away like, no, I've got to put it wrong and
11:57
I've got to learn every way to do it, possible kind of thing.
12:00
And the best it could be. So it's been really beneficial
12:03
in that way. I mean, I started off doing
12:05
acoustic stuff and like soft ballads and emotional stuff when
12:08
I was doing music. And then I remember the same
12:11
sort of scenario, like not really being respected because I
12:13
was quite introverted as well in the music scene.
12:15
And I was like, right, OK, I'm going to raves and people have
12:18
amazing energy of those or punk gigs and people have amazing
12:21
energy of those and they're really seen.
12:22
I was like, I could do that and it was like a switch just went
12:25
off in my brain. I was like, I could do that.
12:27
And that was when I made my first drawing bass track.
12:29
And now we're like, I'm known for making electronic dance
12:32
music because I was like, I'm just going to do it And dead.
12:35
Yeah, amazing. So you started off with
12:36
acoustic. Was that like with a backing
12:38
track or a Capella? So I was in a band at the time
12:43
and then we went separate ways and I then would literally just
12:46
go out busking every day with a backing track.
12:49
It was a bit of a complex time. So this was after I left Radio
12:52
platform. My moment passed away and it was
12:55
this moment of I really need focus and I don't know what's
12:58
going on and I just need to get out of bed again.
13:00
And so I literally, like said, I take my amp.
13:03
Go out onto the streets of Cardiff or like Aberdare,
13:06
Swansea, anywhere. I could play a backing track and
13:08
start off like really quietly, just like singing to these
13:10
different songs. And then slowly, like venue
13:13
owners were coming up to me and producers were coming to talk to
13:16
me and be like, please, can we do something with this, can we
13:18
do something with that? And it's all snowballed out of
13:20
it like you are take one day at a time.
13:22
Wow, that's so inspiring. It's just so good to hear that
13:26
you managed to take something that was obviously difficult
13:29
time in your life and turn it into this kind of new chapter
13:32
where the opportunities were coming out of nowhere.
13:35
I love that. So would you say that you want
13:37
to carry on with music? Is that the kind of track you
13:40
think you're going to take in life?
13:42
Oh. 100%, like, I feel set in my ways.
13:44
I was talking to a musician the other day and I was like, it's
13:47
mad when you talk to other people about their jobs and they
13:49
go like, I can't wait to retire. I'm going to play golf.
13:52
I'm going to travel and like, in my brain I'm like, no, I'm going
13:54
to be performing when I'm like 98.
13:56
That's what's going to be happening.
13:57
Like it doesn't go away. It's really like giving me like
14:01
a whole sense of life when I've needed it most.
14:03
Musics been that thing to keep striving for something and
14:05
making something and being proud of yourself for it.
14:08
And that's that's nicely. Wow, that's so cool.
14:11
So yeah, you've kind of got your future kind of laid out for you
14:14
and who knows the kind of opportunities that you'll get
14:17
when you, when you. Grow up.
14:18
Honestly, I'm gonna say that like I'll be 32.
14:22
That's terrifying. I can say I definitely agree.
14:26
When I first started doing shows at radio Platform, I really
14:29
found my love for presenting. And I can talk and talk and
14:32
talk, Which is why I kind of started this podcast and my
14:35
condition muscular dystrophy. It'll get worse as I get older.
14:39
So I'm actually loving the fact that I've actually managed to
14:42
find something that won't affect me physically, because I can
14:45
just sit down and talk into a microphone and that's something
14:48
I can do. Even if I can't use any of my
14:50
limbs when I'm older, I can still carry on using my voice.
14:54
Yeah, I love that. And it's it's good to find a
14:56
passion that you know, other people say, I can't wait to
14:59
retire and you're just like, no, I love what I do and I can't
15:03
wait to just keep doing it forever.
15:04
Honestly, I think there's so much in that obviously like this
15:06
podcast as well as hiding the voices of like disabled
15:08
community and things like that. But you have that side that you
15:10
can like use what you have to inspire other people.
15:13
But then it's also at the same time like this.
15:15
So I found with the stuff I make now sort of rave German based
15:18
stuff that. When I started making that, it
15:20
was like, OK, yeah, everyone knew me being like a disabled
15:22
musician, like I always say like I'm I'm the two handed, one
15:25
handed musician and everyone knew me for that.
15:28
But it wasn't just I was known for being disabled anymore.
15:31
It was like Oh yeah, she's disabled.
15:33
But she also makes like raving, banging tracks like you know, oh
15:37
she's also this person, oh, she dances on this way on stage.
15:39
You know, it's you can inspire, but also be who you are as well.
15:42
And that's so important. Exactly, yeah.
15:44
And obviously, you know it's cool to see someone with a
15:47
disability in the music industry be smashing it like you are, but
15:50
also it's not because of your disability that you've gotten
15:53
here, it's because of your amazing talents.
15:55
No, thank you. Say more.
15:59
Have you done a lot of gigs recently?
16:01
Yeah, it's honestly popped off. So like I said, like I used to
16:04
acoustic and I maybe get like a gig every couple months and
16:07
things like that. And then like started like
16:09
releasing and making a DM. And then suddenly, like, every
16:12
time I've done a gig now they've been like, can we have you back
16:14
here? Can we have you back here?
16:15
And I literally have gigs every weekend, sometimes this weekend,
16:19
three times in one weekend at different places until like
16:22
December. And I've got like people looking
16:24
for January and past then. And it has gone insane.
16:27
It's wild. That's crazy.
16:29
Wow. Do you go out a lot yourself?
16:32
What, like partying or like, yeah, you know, like a night out
16:34
or go clubbing or something like that.
16:36
So I never had been to like a gig into like last year, OK, I
16:40
don't even perform to them, which sounds like really for
16:42
myself. I could never been.
16:44
And then like I started to go to more this year just to
16:46
experience that energy or like even going to stuff that I know
16:49
nothing about. Like I went to like some jazz
16:52
thing the other night and it was so nice to like hear something,
16:54
but I don't know anything about that.
16:56
I can just enjoy. Move to especially with ADHD as
16:59
well like being able to like stem and let the energy out kind
17:02
of thing is really important. Yeah, wow, that's so cool.
17:06
We would just say is your favorite place to perform.
17:09
My favorite place to perform. Oh my God.
17:11
With it you go regularly maybe. OK, so it's not one like I go
17:15
regularly, but it was one I was really, really like proud of
17:17
doing. Was just club up on in Cardiff,
17:20
right? And like, it's not because I
17:23
remember being at the punk gig my friend had invited me to, and
17:26
I don't listen to punk normally. And I'll go anyway just for the
17:29
vibe. And I remember being in this
17:30
crowd, watching this band go absolutely insane.
17:33
Everyone was cheering. And it's when we all dance and
17:35
go mad. And it was the moment I was
17:37
like, I want to be like them. I want to be like them on stage,
17:40
and I want to perform on this stage one day.
17:42
And literally it's like I think. 3-4 months later, I had a gig
17:45
there and I was like, Oh my God, that's my moment.
17:47
Like, yeah, so it's like a full circle moment then.
17:50
Yeah. Yeah.
17:51
Insane. And I love that you see
17:53
something and you're like, I want that.
17:55
And then it happens like when when your mind is set to it, you
17:59
can do anything, which I think is just amazing and so
18:02
inspiring. Thank you.
18:04
So outside of the music scene and the sports scene, would you
18:08
say there were any major hurdles that you face with this
18:10
condition kind of day to? Day, I don't know, I think.
18:13
I think I kind of like mentioned it a little bit earlier that the
18:16
inspiration complex I think is a really big one.
18:18
So like physically I've never really had any problems because
18:21
again I I grew up with like my on the way it is.
18:24
But like the perception that your main selling point is that
18:27
you're disabled and that you're there to inspire others, which
18:30
definitely I 100% like use what I do to try and inspire other
18:33
people. But sometimes it's just nice to
18:35
be known for you as a person then with a DHDI think a big
18:39
struggle especially like currently is.
18:41
So obviously I was only just diagnosed.
18:43
And so that means to everyone around me, I've never had ADHD
18:46
in their minds. So, like, the acceptance is
18:49
really weird. There's certain family I know I
18:51
can't talk to about it because they don't think it's real.
18:54
And like, yeah, even friends like I know is sometimes there's
18:57
a slight disconnect with a like, Oh yeah, she, yeah, I'm sure she
19:00
does have it. And I think that's quite a
19:02
struggle because you're you're already like trying to accept
19:05
something yourself and understand that yes, you need
19:08
the support. So I would say that's probably a
19:10
big obstacle with that. OK, Yeah.
19:13
So with ADHD, do you feel like your friends or your family had
19:17
kind of picked up on it before you were diagnosed?
19:19
Because I've got a friend with ADHD and all her friends are
19:21
like, yeah, she's definitely got the obvious signs.
19:24
Were you like that? Yeah.
19:25
So a lot of like my dating partners, you used to all know,
19:30
cuz obviously you spend the most time with visiting cuz you're
19:33
like all lovey dovey and stuff. Yeah, Yeah.
19:35
And they would be like you're like a golden retriever.
19:37
Like you're just always on the go and they constantly hyped.
19:40
It's like I had little obsessions with like dinosaurs
19:43
since I was little. I've been like getting so
19:45
excited about these like little hyper focus moments.
19:48
Like, no, it's obvious you should go talk to someone.
19:50
And I then noticed as well that 90% of my circle of people that
19:54
I'm close to or get on with, usually autistic or ADHD and
19:58
things like that. And they're going, yeah, you're
20:00
a lot like me and I'm like, stop it.
20:02
Like stop it. I know, the doctor said.
20:05
OK. Which is nice as well, because
20:08
I'm like, I'm accepted by those communities as well.
20:10
Like it's like being in a safe space to just be who you are.
20:13
And that's very nice. Exactly.
20:14
Yeah. Oh, that's good.
20:15
And I'm glad that you have kind of people in your life that
20:18
accepting of it. And you know, I guess as time
20:22
goes on, maybe the rest of your family or whatever will be a bit
20:25
more on board with that. I feel like a lot of things
20:28
nowadays, I think especially family members, just, they don't
20:31
like labels. They're like, why?
20:33
Why do you feel like you have to diagnose yourself?
20:36
It's it's not the doctor. It's diagnosis.
20:38
Why did you choose this come? On.
20:39
Exactly. But yeah, it is a real thing and
20:42
you know, I hope that people can accept that a bit more because
20:46
it is a real thing. It's quite like a it's not a
20:49
rare thing. ADHD, I feel like, you know, we
20:51
all know someone with it. So yeah, it's something Mali,
20:54
the statistics are crazy. Now that it's the majority of
20:56
people have it kind of thing or like autism or something like
20:59
that. It's so natural.
21:01
But I think, I think people change with time.
21:04
We always want to see proof, I guess, if there's something we
21:07
really don't believe. So like, you know, I can think
21:09
about it with music, right? So I was originally going to go
21:12
and do like neuroscience or law and stuff like that.
21:15
And my parents were like, yes, that's what you're doing.
21:17
And then I was like, actually, I kind of like perform.
21:20
It was like a big no, no, so much anger around it.
21:23
And it was only when they then saw me performing.
21:25
We're like, Oh my God, this is your place.
21:27
We understand this is where you need to be.
21:29
This is a job. And I see that now kind of
21:31
thing. Yeah.
21:32
And so, like, I hope that's the same, I guess, with disability.
21:34
Yeah, I was gonna say as well. I think people are less
21:37
accepting of just the arts in general.
21:40
Like, you know, everyone knows this and it's just so difficult
21:43
to try and convince people that it is like a real industry to go
21:46
into. People like, oh, you know, it's
21:47
it's flaky. You won't get jobs all the time.
21:50
We won't be able to settle into anything secure enough to
21:53
support you. And I'm like, well, just watch.
21:55
Watch this space. I mean, you have to pay taxes,
21:57
so it must be a job right? By me, Yeah.
22:01
I honestly like, so moving back because I lived in Cardiff for a
22:04
long time, moving to a rural like Aberdeo where I am now, and
22:08
like meeting other young people who are so talented in like the
22:12
arts and music or art in general.
22:14
And they have this belief that I can't make and I can't do it.
22:18
And that was also kind of a driving force in all of it
22:21
because I'm going like, no luck. Look, I'm doing it and also
22:23
learn from my mistakes as well because then you'll get there
22:25
quicker. I think it needs to be accepted
22:28
that people can go into that industry and make it big if they
22:31
want to live the big dream and you don't have to just, you
22:34
know, leave school, go get like a mandatory job and all this
22:36
sort of stuff like explore and expand and you can.
22:40
I think it's definitely becoming more of like a thing now where
22:44
people leave school and decide actually I don't want to go to
22:47
university or actually I don't want to do you know,
22:49
neurosciences like you said or. You know, anything kind of big
22:53
and mainstream. It's like, actually I want to go
22:56
into the arts, actually, I want to take a year out and travel
22:59
and see what happens. Because, you know, I feel like a
23:01
lot of people are forced to go into university, even if they're
23:03
not actually into that kind of subject that they're gonna do.
23:07
But yeah, I feel like the arts are slowly growing again.
23:11
So I'm really excited to see what happens as we get older,
23:14
like the newer generations, what they do and I feel like.
23:17
You're really good example of that with, you know, your EDM
23:20
and stuff like that with just your voice and I think being a
23:23
female in the arts as well. Do you think that's like a big
23:26
thing? Oh, 100%.
23:28
So that was like the the addition, like with that open
23:31
mic, there was like, oh, it's a case not real singer, but at
23:33
least she's hot kind of thing, yeah.
23:35
Or it's like Jack defying. And like that was like a regular
23:38
fit throughout that entire night kind of thing.
23:40
It's also that it's like idea I think kind of ties in with
23:43
disability that a lot of the time when we see disability,
23:45
it's those sort of you know like visually acceptable disabilities
23:49
kind of thing. Like you often don't see
23:50
deformity and things like that in the media or like you might
23:53
just, you know, you have a, you've got a wheelchair user,
23:56
it's like okay. But what if someone like myself,
23:58
my arms look different, you don't really see it.
24:00
It doesn't happen, especially when you add like being a female
24:03
and there or being an LGBT background as well.
24:05
It's like, to us, you really don't look like what we want to
24:07
see and so we're not going to show it kind of thing.
24:09
And that's difficult as a lot. Like something that really needs
24:13
to be broken down a lot. Even the way I dress, I'd be
24:15
like really like conservative and stuff.
24:17
And then I remember starting to get tattoos, normally have neon
24:20
green eyeshadow on and like, I love my own clothes and stuff
24:23
like that. Literally.
24:24
Like I've just come out like a school disco kind of vibe and it
24:27
was just so thrilling and like that's why I still like do it on
24:30
stage and go all out on stage because if I feel good and I'm
24:33
enjoying it, everyone else well as well just got experience it,
24:36
yeah. Yeah, and it's definitely a good
24:39
way to kind of experiment with what you like.
24:40
And it sounds like your brand, you know, being like out there
24:43
and dressing like cool colors and stuff like that.
24:46
It's just definitely a way to make an impression, even if
24:48
people don't like it. You've made an impression, and I
24:50
think that's the most important thing because they'll remember
24:52
you then. Oh, 100%, Yeah.
24:54
No, it's really important. So I grew up in like rural towns
24:57
and stuff like that and you wouldn't even see people with
24:59
like colored hair kind of thing. I'm bisexual myself and I
25:03
remember like having a friend who's a lesbian and there's
25:05
probably like 3 opening LGBT members in the community and
25:09
stuff like that, let alone disability.
25:10
You didn't see any of that. So like, when I left there and
25:12
came to live in Cardiff for a bit and just saw all this
25:15
diversity, it was like, Oh my gosh, there's so much.
25:18
This is gorgeous. It's like Disneyland, like it
25:20
was great. Yeah, in rural towns you don't
25:22
get a lot of diversity. Did you feel kind of alone
25:25
growing up knowing that you were kind of, you know, maybe a bit
25:28
different and not having any other friends or anything with a
25:31
disability? Did you feel kind of isolated?
25:34
Yeah, I definitely did. So on top of all of it, I was.
25:37
I was a carer as well for my mom since she passed, and she'd had
25:40
a brain injury since I was 10, right.
25:41
So I was disabled. But I also had to become an
25:43
adult really quickly, like really, really young and like,
25:46
you know, learn how to look after a house, learn how to
25:48
almost parent your own parent. And so, like, there's such a
25:51
divide there to learn how to socialize as a kid, how to just
25:55
have fun as a kid. And I think that came out a lot
25:58
when I did become a teenager and get into music and things like
26:00
that, because I was suddenly like, been so long where I've
26:02
not gone for the things I enjoy because I've had other
26:05
responsibilities. I'm just gonna go for it and I'm
26:07
just gonna not waste time and do what I love.
26:10
And yeah, exactly cheesy. No, I is quite cliche, but it
26:15
there's a reason for it, maybe because it is so true.
26:17
Like life is short, so you kind of want to just grab
26:20
opportunities as much as you can just wherever you can find them.
26:23
And like you said, kind of like making up for maybe years where
26:26
you didn't feel like you could do whatever you wanted.
26:28
Now you can just kind of spread your wings and do whatever, yes.
26:32
So is there a piece of advice that you would give to your
26:35
younger self or to someone else in your position that's maybe
26:38
kind of starting out as a musician?
26:40
So I think something I learn when I went into into music,
26:44
that is, it's not going to be easy.
26:47
I think that's with anything that you're pursuing, right?
26:49
You kind of got the whole world against you and you're not
26:50
really knowing what's going on. But it's important just to just
26:53
do anything you can. So when I I went full time, I
26:58
didn't know what was going to happen.
26:59
I was like, I'm doing an industry where no one accepts
27:01
it. I need to do something.
27:02
And so every day I was contacting 30-40 different
27:06
organizations around the UK that may even have the smallest
27:09
connection to the art scene and like, had so many rejections.
27:13
But then I'd get one or two yeses and then like, slowly they
27:16
grew and I'd gain experience. So like this idea of like, don't
27:19
hold back if you want to try something like be loud about it
27:22
and tell everybody, ask everybody and like fight for
27:25
what you want and really push for it.
27:27
And I think also at the same time something I learned when I
27:30
was a carer and it's something I've passed on to friends, is
27:33
that nothing bad is going to last forever.
27:36
So my mom with their brain injury like was really up and
27:39
down with her mood is quite unpredictable and that was quite
27:42
Terminus household. But I knew that in a few days
27:45
she her brain would be elsewhere and it would be better again.
27:48
And that would happen kind of thing.
27:49
Even I was like, OK, as I grow older and things like that,
27:52
we're going to get help with her.
27:53
And so it will get better and it really does.
27:56
You could be going into a career that you really want right now
27:58
and have no money, but that money will come along.
28:01
It might take a week or come along.
28:02
Your parents might be angry about your career choice.
28:04
They'll forget about it in a week.
28:06
It changes and it doesn't really get better.
28:08
Exactly, Yeah. And they'll kind of come to
28:10
accept it a bit more. As well, like, I think the
28:12
longer you do something, you know, when you start out in the
28:14
arts or something, and your parents aren't accepting of it,
28:17
the longer you do it. I'm sure the longer they kind of
28:19
get used to it and the anger will fade, definitely 100%,
28:23
yeah. I love that.
28:24
That's so inspiring. You.
28:26
So you can find right Keys only on Instagram at right Keys Only.
28:31
Yeah, I love the username. How did you come up with that?
28:34
So I was actually learning piano at the time, right?
28:36
So I can only play the right keys.
28:38
And it became like it had its own little slogan at gig.
28:41
So it always said like, oh, it's right, like right hand keys.
28:43
That what goes in the door. And only because I only make one
28:45
handed music and you'd always have people looking at you, like
28:48
how do you make one handed music?
28:49
You've got two hands. And so my follow up then became,
28:52
Oh yeah, I know, like I've got another arm, but it's paralyzed,
28:56
which means I'm really great at high fives and terrible at jazz
28:58
hands. And that is like become a staple
29:02
at every gig. And like literally, I had this
29:03
dream the other night where I was a massive festival and I was
29:06
like guys, great high fives and terrible at what?
29:09
And everyone went jazz hands. And so, like, I really want that
29:12
to be a reality one day, yeah. So that's kind of your slogan?
29:16
Yeah, my go to. I've given it away now.
29:19
I love that. Well, we know what to say.
29:21
If we ever see you in a gig and you want us to shout out, we
29:24
know to say jazz hands, yes. I like that.
29:27
I love it. So that's kind of your brand
29:29
now? That's your name, right?
29:31
Keys only. Yeah, I'm gonna be releasing
29:33
tracks at the end of 2023. I'll have tracks coming out
29:35
officially, but the only place to listen to the moment is gigs.
29:38
So, like, anyone should come along to a gig.
29:40
But yeah, that's about it. Really.
29:42
Thank you for having me. This has been lush.
29:44
It's been so, so good. And thank you for being my first
29:47
ever interviewee. Oh my gosh.
29:49
I can't wait to put this out and for everyone to hear your
29:52
amazing story. You are an inspiration and
29:55
you're just an amazing, amazing person.
29:57
And I'm so grateful that you came onto my podcast to just
30:00
kind of show everyone it is possible to make it big with a
30:03
disability and not let the disability define you as well.
30:07
So yeah, it's been amazing to chat to you.
30:09
It's been amazing to meet you as well.
30:11
Yeah, it's great to me as well, besides e-mail.
30:13
Like your person. Oh my gosh.
30:16
Yeah, back and forth for a while, but it's actually
30:18
happened now. So thank you guys so much for
30:20
listening to and balance. And thank you to Right Keys Only
30:23
for joining me today. Please feel free to follow me on
30:27
Instagram at Cara Savage and right keys only at Right Keys
30:31
only on Instagram or you want any other social media platform.
30:34
So every platform that you look at Right Keys only on I have
30:37
stolen. So yeah, tick tock Facebook,
30:40
everything. Perfect.
30:41
OK. So you know where to find A and
30:43
thank you so much for listening. I hope you have an amazing week.
30:46
If you're listening on radio platform.
30:48
Thank you SO. So much for listening.
30:49
I will definitely be back soon with another episode.
30:52
If you're listening on Spotify or Apple Music, please feel free
30:55
to give me a 5 star review if you can.
30:58
That will be great and I'll see you guys soon in the next
31:01
episode. Bye, bye.