With a foundation of brotherly love at the heart of his values and music surrounding him from an early age, Finn Keogh was always meant for greatness. A simplified version of their surname, Finn leads the exciting alt-rock band Keo, performing alongside his brother Conor on bass, with Jimmy Lanwern and Oli Spackman on guitar and drums, respectively. Growing up in a home rich with the sounds of '90s grunge from Seattle and Irish folk music (thanks to his musician father), Finn notes, “music was consistently the thing that worked best for me.”
Finn and his brother spent their upbringing between Devon and Ireland, having formative years in Portugal before settling in London. After the lockdown, they emerged with powerful, intimate performances that drew parallels to early Fontaines D.C. for their love of vocal-driven ‘90s guitar rock.
Keo's debut EP, ‘Siren,’ was recorded in just five days in a garage before the band “took off online.” By the time it was released earlier this year, major labels were eager to sign them. As their popularity grew, Finn received valuable advice from Wunderhorse frontman Jacob Slater regarding dealings with unsavory labels: “’If it smells like sh*t, it probably is sh*t’ was the best piece of wisdom. I think a word of encouragement can go a long way,” Finn shares with CLASH.
The EP is both delicate and challenging, showcasing a blend of collective synergy and spontaneity. The standout track ‘Stolen Cars’ captures the emotional weight of striving for perfectionism. “I was very emotional when we recorded it,” Finn recalls. “I struggled to hit the high note, and there was a lot of pressure to complete the EP. I did eventually hit the note, but as a perfectionist, I wasn't satisfied. You can hear that tension, and that's likely why it resonates so much with people.”
Finn remembers a powerful fan response to an early live rendition of the song ‘Thorn.’ “My girlfriend showed me a video of a guy who had a tear rolling down his cheek during the lyric: ‘I felt alone this week.’” Initially shared quietly with his bandmates during a vulnerable moment, ‘Thorn’ has become a call for men to reveal their suppressed feelings. “It’s the image of a big rugby guy having a deeply vulnerable moment. It encapsulates why male lead vocalists should be as honest as they can,” Finn explains.
The summer of 2025 marked the peak of Keo’s most successful year to date. With numerous festivals and headline shows, the band experienced the thrill of performing for audiences who were already familiar with their music. “It's such an incredible experience, going to a place you've never been before and having a hard time believing anyone would show up and know our songs.”
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WHAT: Gritty, vulnerable indie-rock
WHERE: Formed in London
3 SONGS: ‘Hands’, ‘Thorn’, ‘Stolen Cars’
FACT: Finn and Conor did a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ for their high school assembly
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Words: Lana Williams
Photography: Bella Howard & Haruki
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With the essence of brotherly love at the heart of his values, and music surrounding him from an early age, Finn Keogh was fated for fame. A