Kim Ewart

Location: San Antonio, TX

Challenge: Connective Tissue Disorder Causing Loose Joints and Muscle Hypotonia

Website: facebook.com/evilkimevilrules

Kim Ewart otherwise known as Evil Kim Evil.

There is something about being on the line between having a visible disability and an invisible one. It irritates people. Something seems off, but what? Why do you seem so awkward? So slow? You must be uptight, or confused, or maybe it's something about your mind. My eyes don\'t always focus normally, my posture looks off . . . my body just works differently. I've been dealing with ableism my whole life, which began in 1979. That was a different kind of era. I began writing and doing visual art at a very young age, then turned to music as soon as I could.

I wrote my first song at the age of 11, and listened obsessively to any and all music that I could find. It was my whole world. I was always a rocker. Guitar and bagpipes were my chosen instruments. I began to play both when I was about fifteen, writing tons of songs on guitar, using different tunings, and performing traditional Scottish music in a bagpipe band. I tried to go the traditional route in rock - forming a band.

However, there always came a point where the misunderstandings caused by my physical quirks created too many problems. It ranged from mundane condescension to physical violence.

So I chose to take matters into my own hands and become a one man band. I obtained drums in 2008 and set to work. I stand on the drum pedals to play, standing up for everyone's right to express themselves, to create. I write and record constantly, covering both well worn territory and new ideas, breaking the rules to push sound in new directions. My playing has been influenced a bit by the way my body is. I seem like an unconventional guitar player in some respects. But that is mostly a choice. I enjoy doing things differently, finding inspiration in the situations that present themselves. I've toured a lot, all solo, and often bringing art along too. My music spans many genres, but the focus is to stay raw, heart-felt and honest. I record live, using a single mic. I play electric without a pic because I believe that having more tactile contact with the instrument allows for more feeling. My playing can be sloppy, but I think that's part of what keeps it alive and interesting. I don't want a polished sound.

And, through all of these projects, I've gotten to confront and sort through a lot of experiences that were previously too painful to even think about. I had a lot of internalized ableism; I'm transcending that and feeling more positive about it all. We need to celebrate our differences more, move beyond the current status quo. I hope that my music and art projects serve to push things in that direction.

Evil Kim Evil