Like a swan elegantly moving across the water's surface, Keo is making waves beneath, resonating within music communities in both live settings and online platforms. Their debut five-track EP ‘Siren’ explores themes of introspection, relationship breakdowns, mental health struggles, and the transition into adulthood through the eyes of a young man.
Keo consists of vocalist and songwriter Finn Keogh, alongside his older brother Conor on bass, drummer Oli Spackman, and guitarist Jimmy Lanwern. Their music features a blend of quiet and loud dynamics, delivering rich melodies enhanced by Finn’s impactful lyrics. They draw comparisons to 90s grunge bands like Pearl Jam, particularly in the track ‘Hands’, which evokes a sense of nostalgia. More contemporarily, Wunderhorse’s debut album ‘Cub’ also serves as a relevant reference point.
The band honed their craft in London’s vibrant and occasionally chaotic music scene. Footage from their lively performances quickly circulated on social media, with fans eagerly awaiting the release of their debut single, ‘I Lied, Amber’. The equally powerful track ‘Thorn’ emerged as a favorite among listeners, along with ‘Stolen Cars’. The final track, ‘Kind, If You Will’, features a poignant lament, stating, “If I act kind, it isn’t true.”
From humble beginnings to embarking on a headline tour this Autumn, Keo has energized indie rock enthusiasts across the nation, all in search of a fresh band to support.
Clash spoke with frontman Finn Keogh about authenticity, influences, and more.
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The EP ‘Siren’ is now released – how are you feeling about it?
I feel really good. It’s been a long time coming. The three tracks that haven’t been released really capture a lot of our sound and what listeners might expect. I don’t think they anticipated the direction we took.
‘Thorns’ follows ‘I Lied, Amber’ as the second single. Why was this song selected?
The fans chose the first single. It became a defining moment for us. People were excited to see videos of it, which led to our decision to release it. That was around last November, and we dropped it a few months later in March.
‘Thorn’ has always been the song we’re most proud of, maybe not in terms of the recording, but it just felt right. Amber was a more mainstream version of Keo, while ‘Thorn’ is perhaps more of an immersive experience.
‘Siren’ is very personal; it will resonate with many. Are there specific experiences that influenced this EP?
Every song represents a personal experience. ‘Thorn’ in particular carries the most weight for me. I wrote it about a long-term relationship. It’s not solely about that, but it reflects my experience of moving to Portugal at 14 and leaving at 17, just as I turned 18.
I spent about four years there. The song carries a bitter sentiment. Initially, we referred to it as ‘Hate’; it wasn’t called ‘Thorn’, which speaks volumes. It emerged from a profound life experience; not every song can be written from that place.
Otherwise, it would feel inauthentic. It only could have emerged from a deeply felt moment in my life, being in Portugal and immersed in a toxic environment, which weighs heavily on me. Each song on the EP, however, holds significant meaning in its own way.
The track ‘Hands’ evokes a Pearl Jam vibe. What were you listening to while writing and recording?
I’ve said that about ‘Hands’ before, and people have responded with “Really?” so I’m glad you see it too.
It reminds me of ‘Daughter’.
Interestingly, I had that thought while writing. I aimed for that same vibe because ‘Daughter’ is one of my all-time favorites. No one had previously pointed out the Pearl Jam similarity until now, and we love that song, so you're the first to connect those dots.
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Were there other influences during the writing and recording process? Anyone else notable?
No, I take pride in that song. When I played it, I thought it felt akin to ‘Daughter’, which I appreciate. What I love about ‘Hands’ is its authenticity. It's a bit hard to articulate.
Songwriting can sway too heavily towards influence. When artists write organically, you might hear echoes of Jeff Buckley or Pearl Jam. That happens when creators write without other artists in mind. With ‘Hands’, I managed to accomplish that organically.
It does evoke Jeff Buckley for me, but I wasn’t consciously channeling him or aiming for a ‘Grace’ vibe. ‘Daughter’ was the only influence I had while creating it.
You’ve mentioned Nick Drake as an influence. Keo’s sound is quite distinct from folk. What aspect of folk inspires you?
It has always been a part of my musical landscape.
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Just as a swan glides effortlessly on the water's surface, Keo is making waves beneath, resonating through music communities both in person and online.