Feeling Restless, Challenging 20s and Career Developments: An Interview with Keeley Shade
While in Auckland recently, I sat down with Keeley Shade to chat about her new upcoming single, Restless and her show at Cassette Nine! Photo credit: Keeley’s EPK.
While in Auckland a couple of weeks ago, I sat down with the lovely Canadian-Kiwi, Keeley Shade, who is making big moves in her musical career to get to where she aspires to be, despite lockdowns and other 20-something challenges. With her upcoming single, Restless, on the horizon, Keeley is headstrong and is showcasing that females can do anything from organising her own music video shoots to mixing/producing her tracks.
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Thank you so much for meeting with me!
Keeley: Of course!
We’re just going to catch up as you have a new single coming out soon. What’s the song called?
Keeley: The song is called Restless. I wrote it last year in lockdown when all of our lives were a bit stuck and I felt like, last year, the second year of lockdown, I was like losing so much time that I could be developing my career, living out fun things… It’s about wanting to be somewhere else in the future, somewhere past all this. In your 20s, you lose friends, change jobs, get new friends, relationships end… You’re kind of told that it’s going to be the best time of your life, but I’ve found it the most challenging. I guess I put all that into the song.
Your 20s are a bit like that. You must be so happy it’s almost out, even though you’re still working on it at the moment.
Keeley: Yes. Very close.
You said you mixed and produced the song yourself, which is so impressive, well done! How did you find that process?
Keeley: On the EP, I actually mixed and directed Give Me Time, and going through that, I realised I like being in control of the outcome of the songs. I went to art school, where you make everything yourself. So, I have this relationship with music where it’s the same thing. Most musicians I know, they have a producer and they have co-writers and stuff… It feels less mine. I’m very about lyrics and about writing, having a personal place, so I love taking ownership of the whole thing, it’s really fun.
So, you said you’ve done it before on your previous EP.
Keeley: A bit. This time, it’s fully by me. I recorded, mixed, produced… The only thing I’m not doing is mastering.
That’s a lot. That’s so much to do. Congratulations on doing all of that! I’d have no idea where to start [if I was a musician].
Keeley: Oh, it’s a lot of self-teaching and YouTube videos and trial and error.
You’ve got a gig coming after the release of the song at Cassette Nine. Tell me about that!
Keeley: Yeah, so that will be at Cassette Nine on December 2nd. I haven’t gotten to play a gig since May I think.
Make sure to get amongst this show if you’re in Auckland! Epic music by Keeley and smashing opening acts. Photo credit: Keeley.
Do you have any support acts that are opening?
Keeley: We will do. I don’t have them locked in yet.
[As of typing this interview, support acts have been announced - Chris Bates and Bridges]
Your EP, Give Me Time, has been out for a year and a half, how has your music evolved since that was released?
Keeley: It definitely… I kind of fell in love with the production side of things. The last EP had more acoustic elements, this one is a lot more pop-rock, alternative, electric guitar, bass.
Amazing. Do you perform all of the music yourself or do you have a band behind you?
Keeley: Live, I have a band and on the track, I recorded most of it. I had my guitarist who played a couple parts because he’s really good at timing. Otherwise, I made most of the stuff myself. I got samples and messed with them, too.
For those who haven’t heard of you yet, what can they expect in terms of your music?
Keeley: A lot of like, ear candy, a lot of instrumentation and delicate vocals. Lyrics are really important to me. It’s really hard describing yourself! Yeah, I’m just really inspired by 2010 modern folk.
What are some random/fun facts that we should know about you?
Keeley: I’m a TV editor for Warner Brothers Studios, I also do graphic design and music videos for other people. I was born in Canada and I’ve lived here for almost 17 years.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Keeley: I won a music and venues grant to put on shows for female musicians who mix and produce their own work. So, that’s going to be happening next year with some very cool artists!
Again, thank you so much for having a mini-interview with me!
Follow Keeley at the below links -