7. September 2020 By Walter Price 0

… some things I know I can’t erase, ELLISA SUN – K.O.

Ellisa Sun – K.O. is available now at Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify.

Recently celebrating its first birthday, the soulful R&B track “K.O.”, by Nashville-based Ellisa Sun, is an important and timeless message. As body image issues, idolizing and navigating the daunting minefield of being accepted isn’t anything new and, unfortunately, for many, it’s only becoming more difficult to find self-worth in the age of glaring social media and ‘reality TV’. This bluesy storyteller has been through it all and this song takes us there.

In a candid article for the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Blog, Sun wrote, “Let’s talk about celebrity. Glamour. Glitz. Lights. Camera. Action! Most of us watch TV. We go to the movies. Maybe we watch the Academy Awards, the Grammys, the Golden Globes. We read magazines, whether intentionally or accidentally glancing at the obnoxious, screaming headlines as we wait in line at the store.

“It’s intoxicating. Isn’t there a part of you that wants to get all done up, to be photographed and placed on a stage and adored by millions of fans? I sure do. Who doesn’t want to be adored?”

The songwriter added, “At the age of 20 I was diagnosed with bulimia and put in 3 different treatment centers over the course of three years. The first two times I left rehab, I fell right into the arms of my eating disorder again. It wasn’t until the third time that I was able to stay out of ED’s arms for good.

“During this struggle, somewhere deep inside, there was a voice dying to escape. A voice, so angry at the culture surrounding me. A voice that wanted to kick and scream and curse at all the people who make me feel like I’m not enough.

“As it turns out, that voice was my actual singing voice.”

I know you got me on my feet, sharp as a tack
Waiting for the warrior, can you handle that
I know I should watch em’, but I choose to run
Stayin with my demons is so much more fun

Takin takin takin names, play the game
Circle circle back to me but I’ll be stuck in the same
Walkin walkin walkin tall, just in case
But I’ve got some things I know I can’t erase

Ain’t it easy to kick me, kick me when I’m down
KO I can’t hear a, I can’t hear a sound

Ellisa Sun’s story is inspiring to say the least and you can read the full article here. And if you’re a fan of Amy Winehouse, Katie Melua, and/or beautifully written songs that have something to say, then add this one to your I-am-who-I-am playlist. And watch the film, brilliantly directed by Kelly Mason, as it follows the singer striving for the limelight always at the behest of apathetic industry nobodies. Also, Marilyn Monroe, who had her own complicated Tinseltown tale, plays a pivotal role as well.

ELLISA SUN

K.O.

Artist photo by Kelly Mason

Director/Editor: Kelly Mason
Assistant Director/Animator: Rachel Schmitz
Lighting: Chris Romaine
Judges: Ken Michienzi, Joshua Kirby, Anne Garfinkle
K.O. was produced by Alex Arias and written by Ellisa Sun w/ background vocals Angela Muhwezi