Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Keekai

THE RELEASE

Roberto Sy's colorful identity as a queer Filipinx singer and composer is musically embodied by Keekai. Keekai's music blends together emotional sentiments of love, loss, and self-acceptance with a bold attitude. Keekai creates a sound that is both emotionally resonant and seductively funky, drawing inspiration from R&B superstars, the shimmering synthesizers of Manila's disco scene, and Japanese city-pop. Keekai brings you into personal moments of honesty via his songs, examining the complexity of relationships and queerness with a sensitive touch. Keekai brings this dynamic combination of inspirations to life as a solo artist, creating an enthralling blend of synthpop, citypop, alternative R&B, indie synthwave, and pop.

"Handsome / Pretty," Keekai's first Mixtape, is a fascinating combination of alternative R&B and dreamy indie pop, a musical exploration of intimacy and desire. Each track is a distinct reflection of Keekai's evolution, from the contemplative winter of 2021 to the flowering spring of 2023. The mixtape takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, from the romantic enticement of "Handsome Guy" to the lighthearted vibrations of "Lockdown," the groovy beats, and occasional moments of sober reflection in "Patiently." Keekai's lovely melodies and compassionate lyrics welcome you into his universe, a realm where love and self-discovery coexist. The mixtape was created across boundaries, including recordings in the Philippines, Finland, and London, representing Keekai's artistic journey's worldwide nature. Join Keekai on this musical odyssey, and you'll find yourself captivated by the melodies and moved by the stories he shares.

THE INTERVIEW

If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?

I would say, Christine & The Queens, Lady Gaga, Mitski, and Muna. The power of their music and performance has affected and influenced my work and approach so much. There is such star power in all of them; each different in their own lane yet all so present and dedicated to the voice and the stage.

Were there any personal experiences or stories that influenced the creation of the project, and if so, how did they shape the final product?

This mixtape is a kind of transition period between my prior understanding of what Keekai is, and what I’ve grown into as an artist in the past 2 years. I spent a year in London, homing in on my skills in songwriting and production, as well as finding some necessary breath after 7 years in New York. This release is like an exhale in my practice as a songwriter, as it encapsulates all the techniques that I’ve learned during my time in the city, as well as embracing a more romantic and playful approach in my themes. I’ve learned to bounce and move in my production while keeping my voice as the focal point throughout.

How did you approach the selection and arrangement of the songs on this project to create a cohesive and impactful listening experience for your audience?

It kind of pieced itself together to be honest. These songs sounded significantly different to my prior singles, and it did not fit within the next EP that I’ve been working on. It did, however, have this similar R&B sound that glued these 3 tracks as companions. The topics in each song also paired well altogether. One song was playful and sassy, one was romantic and yearnful, and one was apologetic and melancholic. All these didn’t’ necessarily focus on love; rather, it explored more of how patience works in my relationships, both old and new.

How do you see this album representing your artistic evolution or progression, and what new elements or techniques did you experiment with during its production?

I’ve spent a good long year working with Ableton throughout this project. Before this, I tended to rely on writing on top of samples that I would weave together. I felt that this just wasn’t going to be enough for me to show what I could really do as an artist. I had so much in my head that I wanted to express but didn’t know how to do it by myself. I realized that I’m just going to have to learn these things on my own! These songs are the beginnings of this newfound liberation in my music, where I’ve created chords, and beats that I can call my own. In my opinion, this is the first project that I’ve made that is finally getting to the core of what I want Keekai to be. Playful, emotional, tender, and honest.‏

Can you share any memorable or profound moments from the recording or writing sessions that had a lasting impact on you personally or creatively?

The writing and work on Patiently probably took around 2 years. I cowrote it with a friend named Joseph Osborne and knew that we created the bones of such a beautiful song. After one writing session though, I didn’t revisit this song for a long while. Every time I did, I felt like my production on it just wasn’t good enough, or that my revised lyrics wasn’t making the cut. I probably touched this song intermittently every 3 months, and it would lead to nowhere. I almost threw this song out, until one night in my London apartment, I decided to give the song one more go. I redid my vocals, drum beat and piano composition completely. I sounded more assured in my delivery, and the production felt so much more whole than it ever sounded. That’s when I knew that my time in London, and everything that I’ve learned is directly affecting and improving the quality of my music. I sent it to a friend of mine to mix the song, and when he sent his mix back to me, I couldn’t help but cry. I was so proud of what I was hearing, and I told myself that this consistency to the craft is finally showing itself to me.

KEEP UP WITH KEEKAI BELOW: