Conversations with The Keeps

Today we’d like to introduce you to The Keeps. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Prior to starting The Keeps, we were all in different bands playing mostly rock and indie music – Andy and Christian had known of each other through some jazz band connections, so when Andy and Charlie decided to split off from their band to form a new one, Christian and Quinn joined on bass and guitar. Thus, The Keeps were born. When we first started playing, we were still very much figuring out the creative and musical direction we wanted to pursue, so we played rock for the first year before we went to college. After covid hit, we decided to get “more serious” about creating music, and we started writing remotely, experimenting with instrumentation, and creating a more pop-oriented sound. That gradually transitioned to the indie-funk we write and play today, characterized by tight grooves, indie-inspired structures and emotionality, and accessibility for fans of many different genres to enjoy our sound.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not, but it’s been fun. You guys interviewed us back when we were a rock band and that in itself shows how much has changed in the last few years. It was hard finding ourselves as young writers and performers. We knew we enjoyed performing live but our songs were all over the place. Narrowing down what we could deliver authentically to listeners and what we believed in was hard but in the end, we found a sound we believe is new and interesting. This discovery of ourselves was difficult as it was during lockdown. We couldn’t be in a room with each other and we had to learn to communicate and write over the internet. A lot of the songs we have released were actually written independently and we just send ideas back and forth. This writing process isn’t what we prefer but it helped us be in a band whenever we wanted to. We learned to “play in a room” not in a room. This helped us grow to trust, communicate and be ourselves writing our music. It’s much easier now and we’re having a lot more fun than ever! There were many obstacles but it’s definitely no fun to read about.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

We take great pride in our performances. Each performance is the sum of weeks of rehearsals, practice, and comradery. Though demanding, our practice sessions have allowed us to develop a deep and unique friendship with each other. This translates into deep emotional stakes in our show.

Live performance has always been our specialty. From our first set, we felt most musical on the stage. The passion that is found on stage is a rare kind. We think that passion comes from the magic of sharing music with others. As a small artist, we have a personal connection with the friends and family that support us, and we believe that we owe these people a good show.

ARTIST BIO:

The Keeps, often going by the moniker TK, are hard to label. The Denver-based indie-funk quartet may start a show with a tight, improvised jam before launching into a nu-disco dance track. To cap the night, The Keeps might play a synth-heavy pop tune or an indie ballad. Whatever they may be playing, The Keeps strive to do what they do to the best of their ability.

In 2018, singer/songwriter Andy Tran and drummer Charlie Nicholson departed their own longtime band to pursue a new creative direction. Recruiting childhood friends Quinn Jones and Christian Olsen on guitar and bass, respectively, Tran formed The Keeps, a sort of local supergroup, to write “bangers” (as he would tell you).

The members hail from different musical backgrounds, but all respect the art of the pop song and the virtuosity of the musicians who craft them. The Keeps work tirelessly to curate a unique catalog, blending indie hallmarks with funk stylings to create a modern, yet familiar sound.

How do you define success?

Within the music industry, it is easy to get caught up in metrics such as followers, likes, and streams as an indication of success. While these numbers have significance, more tangible experiences are the essence of our success.

Over the years, we have enjoyed the sense of community that the Denver music scene fosters. Building relationships with fellow bands, music venues, and bar managers have shifted our focus from online promotion to the people that make live music so great. Whether playing for a small group of friends or in a bar packed with new faces, we always set out with personal connection and emotion in mind.

We have come to base success on little moments that are easily overlooked – moments that create a smile and cement a positive memory. Success is a bartender singing along to her favorite song while pouring drinks. It is locking in with a sound engineer running the light show to perfectly complement our music. It is giving the new couple the fun date they weren’t expecting. It is hearing our top song, “Midnight Feel,” being sung back to us by dedicated fans. It is polishing and releasing a song that once felt unorganized and awkward. It is hearing positive feedback on the music we have dedicated countless hours to. It is the band dinner after a long day of practice.

Success is doing what you love with the people you love.

Contact Info:

• Email: thekeeps.co@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_keeps/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CO.TheKeeps
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV_8T-z-gPIM7EQk1HhQbuQ
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-881319370

Image Credits
Forrest Mondlane
Alyssa Boback