Today we’d like to introduce you to Kéo.
Hi Kéo, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was ten years old, I remember belting Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” at the top of my lungs. I did a little riff and immediately stopped in disbelief at my own ability. My older brother was there to witness and we both stared at each other wondering if that really just happened. Soon after, my dad (who directed the music for our church) asked me to start singing in front of the congregation pretty regularly.
Growing up, we moved a lot of different places. But music was the central thread that kept me and my brother grounded in our own sense of self. He played guitar and sang, I played piano. We never had lessons. We were self-taught and learned most songs by ear. He was always the songwriter with the vision and I was always the support, singing harmonies or offering help where I could.
At 14, we moved to Cozumel, Mexico. My brother Chaz and I found some musician friends and formed an emo/rock band called “In Memory Of” where I was the lead singer (haha). Besides working at a coffee shop during the day, we’d meet on weekends for rehearsals. Our first big show was opening for a Spanish band called Panda. They were on the Central American leg of their world tour. I honestly have no idea how we landed this gig, but it wasn’t a bad place to start. The venue was an old bull ring with a capacity of 3,000. We thought it was our big break. Needless to say, after this performance it was in memory of “In Memory Of,” because we never played another show and slowly disbanded unofficially.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Is life ever a smooth road? Lol.
The biggest challenges I’ve faced were really with me, standing in my own way. Being creative and full of ideas is great until it comes time to follow through. Songwriters are perpetually known for starting half songs and never finishing. So honing in on the skill of following through has been the biggest lesson for me.
In terms of outward challenges I can’t control, I’ve dealt with a lot of rejection by people who say I don’t have a lane or that they wouldn’t know what to do with my music. It doesn’t really bother me because I know where I’m going and what I’m capable of. Comments like that used to bother a younger me, but they don’t anymore. I use it as fuel to keep going and prove them wrong.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In a nutshell, I’m a songwriter, vocalist and vocal producer. I have a degree in audio engineering and music production, which is a fancy way of saying I’m paying off student loans by pressing buttons and turning knobs professionally.
My bread and butter are lyric writing and vocal production (arranging background vocals, tuning, general clean up of the vocals before it goes out to be mixed). In the past four years, I’ve been writing and performing music for big tv networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Barbie, Bravo, etc.) My latest corporate project were writing for Barbie’s massive re-brand campaign, focused on female empowerment and self-love.
In 2019, I changed my artist name and since then have pivoted to making music out of a place of authenticity that focuses on mental health and brings substance back into the stories I tell. My song “Face to Face” was featured on NPR Tiny Desk’s Staff Picks which was a nice surprise since that song isn’t about love or relationships. It’s a song based around the idea of karma and how I see it manifesting in my life.
To be honest, I can’t really say I’m most proud of any specific project. They are all specific and special in their own way. I’m just happy to be here.
What matters most to you? Why?
This is a tough question because there’s not really a one sentence answer. Patience matters a lot to me. Patience and trust are the common denominators to make or break anything; relationships, commitment to self, career choices, everything. Patience has help me to fall in love with the process of watching my career blossom over time rather than live for a few big moments of excitement that are fleeting.
I used to do things solely for a check, which I don’t see as negative. But the more I said no to things that didn’t align with my values, the more space I’ve created for the things that do. If we’re talking music, what matters most to me is being in spaces and working with people on projects that fulfill me mentally and spiritually.
I say all that to say, what matters the most to me is loving myself enough to know what’s for me and what’s not. As long as I can put the love for myself first, I will always be successful and of better service to others.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Keotheartist
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/keotheartist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamkeoofficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamkeoofficial
- YouTube: https://bit.ly/3BCY4US
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-500714196
- Other: www.keotheartist.com
Image Credits:
Yams IG: @gotshotbyher Ryan IG: @rhschaefer Hedieh IG: hediehthefacemaster
