Today we’d like to introduce you to Meka Nism.
Hi Meka, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a performer, my whole life, through theater and dance classes, moving to Orlando to go to the Arts magnet at Dr. Phillips High School, and definitely having mystical interests in witches, faeries, and tarot cards from early on, there was no chance of me not becoming a performing artist of some fantastical type. Then, as teenagers do, I found Rock music, glam punk, riot girl, psychedelic blues, Indy folk rock, Metal… GUITAR!!! I was electrified, playing in theatrical bands and performing my heart out with an extremity. And my voice? LOUD! Operatic, powerful, ferocious, still feminine but pure blow torch! As Meka Nism and her Rusty Tears, I remember moments after playing a set when people from a completely different life perspective came up to me in tears, thanking me for singing to their soul and releasing the trauma that they could not express. That’s when I knew, Music is Medicine. It’s healing, cathartic, and not just for me on stage, for the deep, intimate connection that could be shared with friends and strangers in the audience. Expression is Healing, and not everyone knows how to, or even has social permission to Express, emotions, ideas, anything. For a few years, I moved to Japan, played more than 150 shows as a solo acoustic artist, an abstract opera performance artist, and as J-pop rock band Origami Girls with bass player/vocalist Yukari Ikeda. There I dabbled in Buddhist Meditation and Japanese Butoh dance. The yearning for Enlightenment or some kind of Higher Soul Purpose was growing stronger and the music kept itching to come out louder.
When I returned to Orlando, I officially made Meka Nism into a more Alternative Metal project, since I had been known mostly for my fully intense acoustic shows either solo or with Zel Dennis on baritone sax and others, I also incorporated themes of Shamanism that I was studying as a way to offer empowerment and encouragement to my listeners. During this time, I have been elected as a Governor on the Board of the Recording Academy FL chapter. This has given me an opportunity to serve the music community in more ways.
Presently, I am putting the healing aspects of music, storytelling, and expression more in the spotlight. Apex Arts Studios in North Hollywood, Ca is supporting my work on a Heart Healing Project that weaves together songs, stories, and healing sounds for a more involved listening experience. To document the exploration of this theme and talk to others practicing the Healing Arts, there’s a new podcast called Ascended Heart Navigators that I started with Nataraja Shristi.
The music and healing continue. To book a Tarot card Reading, Shamanic Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching or Theta Healing Session please visit teaandtarotemporium.com – Next on-stage appearance is Baroness Alto, the Fire Fury in the Central Florida Witches Ball Musical on Saturday, October 16th at the outdoor venue Isle of Valhalla. Tickets can be purchased at cflwitchesball.com
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Optimism is my main tool when dealing with the many, many ups and downs of life. My father always warned about the Entertainment Industry being the toughest business and that has proven to be true. The practice of gratitude fuels my heart, though. Thanks to studying Theta Healing and more with the magical Michelle Orwick and her Goddess Within Mystery School, I have been able to completely heal the spinal injury that has had me suffering for the past several years, to the point of barely being able to walk or sing during that time. Not sure how I performed at the House of Blues and so many shows with that much pain, but I am stubborn, lol. My Gratitude now for pain-free movement and breathing is huge in my heart. A lot of the other issues are even more difficult to talk about, though. Trust and clear agreements are needed to do musical creations for sure. I think like many people, I have feared success because of the vulnerability to get hurt or taken advantage of, but I try to never let that stop me. We can change our program of beliefs through intentional efforts. Even though my trust has been betrayed many times, I have more examples of good people sharing good experiences. I choose, with effort and intention, to focus on that as much as possible, even when facing the more challenging issues directly, though mostly privately. My father also said never do a deal unless everyone wins, if there are any losers, it’s not a good deal. I try to do right to the best of my ability, and I believe it’s time to stop playing small, especially as a woman. If I want things to be fair and honest, then I have to step up to that responsibility even more, with less fear and more willingness to be vulnerable and more courage to be powerful. I owe it to everyone who couldn’t stand up before me, especially now that my back is healed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Besides seeing vivid, bright red dreads on a fairly tall Shaman crystal-clad rocker-chic speaking rough Japanese with a rather loud laugh, I think what sets me apart is my softer side. Holding each interaction with gentleness and fierce love. My music spans a huge range of genres and styles from very pretty yet gothic acoustic-like my “MAD TO LOVE” album, the fun bilingual Japanese pop-punk of Origami Girls, spiritual meditation, Avant-Garde performance art like Creature Cabaret, and other appearances with Lady Cimorene of Phantasmagoria and Masami Koshikawa, EDM rock working with SirVoh of Gargamel!, musical theater appearances like the Witches Ball coming up in October and even kids songs that I wrote for my kindergarten classes in Japan, but I am probably best known for the Metal albums, most recently THE WAR INSIDE recorded in Lubeck, Germany with Lasse Lammert. There are not a whole lot of people who can sing, growl, and write music in the way that my collaborators and I do. Most people think that there are 2 different singers on my heavier tracks, male, of course, because of the vast and dynamic range that I present, but it’s all me. Oh, except for some very pretty harmonies by drummer James Christopher Lane, lol. I have very much enjoyed traveling and touring playing my many types of music and making friends all over the US and around the world. Getting the only standing ovation of the night, for my acoustic song, “BEDLAM” out of 80+ performers at the Sidewalk cafe in the Village in NYC, having my Japanese Kindergarten class students sing my original song, “FISH ARE SWIMMING,” at the Embassy for a meeting of International Ambassadors, attending the Grammy Awards, singing karaoke with my amazing activist friend Fred Schneider of the B-52’s, singing our National Anthem and performing mainstage at WJRR’s Earth day Birthday, and having several friends tell me that my songs saved them from alcoholism or even Saved Their Life… these are some of my proudest memories as an artist. As a Spiritual Life Coach/Shaman/Tarot card reader, I get to talk very sincerely with people’s Higher selves. I have witnessed so much growth and courage to heal and advance in life from my clients, that I will always take great joy in offering my services. I have had the privilege of studying under the most epic wise woman and sometimes men from many cultures and disciplines. I’m even attempting a Master’s/PHD in Mystical Research right now. I love getting to make appearances or teaching classes with CROW practice, Tea & Tarot Events or at the best local mystic shops, festivals, or theme parks, but even more grateful to be able to continue my work online and over the phone during this time.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Great question. My Spiritual Arts mentor is Michelle Orwick, and it is such an amazing feeling to have her to talk to, I was lucky enough to have set up a meeting with her, and it all just fell into place. Music-wise, I get to participate in the mentorship program through the Recording Academy, offering my time to college students in the music industry… I think that we shouldn’t be afraid of reaching out to professionals in our field that we truly admire. Not that everyone has time to respond, but many individuals will. As long as you are respectful of their time and privacy. Always worth asking or trying to connect. First, take the time to research those in your field who are successfully doing your craft in a way that sparks inspiration for you and then send an email or message, never hurts to ask.
Pricing:
- Tarot Reading – 15 min – $65
- Shamanic Healing Session – $175
- Solo acoustic set – $300
- Tarot Reading w/Theta Healing – 1 hour – $135
Contact Info:
- Email: mekakyoto@gmail.com
- Website: ascendedheartnavigators.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mekanismband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msmekanism
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MekaNismOfficial
- Other: https://mekanismband.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits:
Tabitha Whitley
Jack McGowen
Hair Maiden Salon
Ms. Meka Nism
Kara Robinson
Distortion Productions
Bookman Bob
Adam Arnali
Rich Johnson
