Keeno’s latest EP, titled “Courage,” takes listeners on an emotive journey through its five captivating tracks. The EP opens with “Hypnotised,” featuring the soothing vocals of Diandra Faye, setting a peaceful tone. As the EP progresses, the title track, “Courage,” emerges, signaling the challenge that lies ahead. “Disappear” follows, where conflicting emotions collide, accompanied by a surprising twist in the second drop. “Frenzy” takes the listener on a chaotic ride, driven by haunting violin lines from Vio.let. However, Keeno brings back hope and harmony with “Lights On,” showcasing his piano play. Finally, “Colours Of Your Heart” pays euphoric homage to those who rise to their challenges.
Recently, Keeno ventured to Andorra for a DJ set, which presented its fair share of obstacles. Due to a last-minute location cancellation, the team had to find an alternative spot while safeguarding valuable gear. Filmed on breathtaking mountain tops, the set captured the resilience and determination that defines Keeno’s music.
Keeno’s recent events have garnered immense success and support. His label night in Bristol on May 5th was a sold-out show, showcasing his musical prowess. Furthermore, Keeno’s DJ-piano liveset at Fiber on May 17th left the audience in awe. The EP’s achievements are evident in its chart success and international radio play. It has been featured on renowned channels such as UKF, Liquicity, and MrSuicideSheep. Keeno’s orchestral drum & bass style resonates with listeners worldwide, bringing them together through the power of music.
Alongside the release of Courage, CULTR is exclusively presenting a breakdown of each track from Keeno himself, which further solidifies the personal story and shines the light on the artist’s emotions as the was creating the body of work.
1: Hypnotised (feat. Diandra Faye)
I wrote this song on one very early summer morning in Bristol. Sat in my studio, I could see the sun rising and the city waking up to a whole new day. It was one of those beautiful sunrises.
As Liv (girlfriend) rode off to work on her bike, I was overcome with an intense feeling of joy, feeling complete and grateful for my life. I wish nothing would change this moment… but life had other plans.
2: Courage
I never finished University, because I decided to drop out to pursue Keeno full-time. I felt like a failure – that Teenage Will kept asking himself: What would happen if I were to just leave? Would the world end? Would my parents get irrevocably mad? Would I still be able to survive?
I made the decision to have faith in myself and my skills and to try and build something new for myself. I really felt like my unique musical style could affect positive change in not only my own life, but the lives of others. Here I am, 10 years later, launching my own label and releasing a body of compositions straight from the heart. Thanks, teenage Will for taking this courageous step. I’ve shown myself that what may seem like an end is often just a new beginning.
3: Disappear
All my life, I’ve been finding the courage to release my first self-published, self-released work. Keeno Music is my most ambitious to- date & it features my authentic, unfiltered musical identity. Disappear represents the relentless internal struggles that build from a fleeting thought to the tumultuous, chaotic mindstorm that is releasing music independently after being with a label for 10 years.
I spent ages worrying that I may not keep the following that I had grown at Hospital Records. I quickly reminded myself of why I write: from the heart – to tell my story & the stories of others.
4: Frenzy (feat. Vio.let)
When the COVID-19 Pandemic hit – one of the feelings I missed the most was of being on a dancefloor where everyone is on the same wavelength and the crowd erupts that moment of unity. I set out to try and recreate this moment – isolated and cut off from the world. I wanted to write a song that took me from the agony and dropped me in the middle of a crowd of ravers eagerly awaiting the next drop.
This is what happens when producer Keeno takes the front seat and composer Keeno co-pilots. The buildup stands for the chaos that COVID brought, in the drop tries to make sense of the chaos. Exactly what a frenzy feels like.
5: Lights On
Before moving into my new studio, I’d got into bad mental habits – sacrificing absolutely everything for my music. I was in a dark place and I lost my inspiration – completely burned out, breaking my wrist in the process.
Normally, the piano keeps my emotions in balance. Without this outlet, I felt like I was at the start of a dreadfully long tunnel. What got me out was actually the forced break from being productive all the time. My body & my mind needed to recoup, recover and re-energise. With every passing day, that light at the end of the tunnel would grow brighter. Slowly, the feeling of dread and self pity turned into excitement and relief.
Lights On was the first song I wrote after my wrist injury.. It signified the end of the tunnel. I’d made it. My hands work. My brain works. I’m going to be ok.
6: Colours Of Your Heart
One of my proudest achievements is that I have always written music for myself, and not to please an audience. Colours of Your Heart song describes the feeling of accomplishment when completing a musical project that matches my vision. I’d been through the process of feeling creatively stagnant, searching for new inspiration.
I wrote Colours Of Your Heart when I finally felt completely in touch with myself. This is who I am and my music comes from the heart. I want others to have this feeling as much as possible, which is what inspired me to start the Courage project.
