Get ready to immerse yourself in the raw talent of Meanjin/Brisbane artist Willow Keith and his debut single 'Company'. This indie rock track is a beautiful portrayal of finding your person and the simplicity of the comfort they bring. Willow's lyricism captures the warmth and security of a deep connection, evoking the feeling of falling in love for the first time. For fans of the likes of The 1975 and Spacey Jane, ‘Company’ is a refreshingly light track that cradles you through each verse and chorus, inviting you to sway along with the magnetic emotion. We caught up with Willow to find out more about the track, his influences and much more.

Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?

I think the idea of being alone scares anyone to the point of wanting to find someone - that person who has the ability to comfort you and calm your mind. That longing and need to have them by your side.

I’d like people to just find some comfort in the song and to feel empowered by it - dancing to it is also accepted.

Who are some of your influences and why?

I love 80’s pop/rock so artists like INXS, The Smiths, George Harrison - they blend beautifully crafted lyrics with melodies that seem otherworldly. They’ve got groove, emotions, and can take you to a place of nostalgia. These artists have such range in their songs going from a slow ballad to something upbeat that makes you want to dance. I try to draw from these artist’s massive range, and have my own diverse range/catalogue of tunes.

What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

It changes a lot. Sometimes I’ll start with a lyric/rhyme, but mostly I tend to start with chords on a guitar and base a melody around it. The first thing I write tends to be the hook or something catchy and I’m able to base the rest of the song around that. I also like to think of the song visually as well; how it would look, the colours, the mood, the artwork etc. this helps my overall vision a lot.

What do you think makes a great song?

The melody

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

Tough question. At the moment probably Sam Fender. I think our songs have similar elements to them and he knows how to write a good tune. Seems like a good lad for a beer too.

When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?

Photography/filming

Who are some local bands we should check out?

JUNO

The Vernons

Dusty

Sam Syrah

Winter or summer and why?

Winter easily - better clothes, bluer skies, I despise the heat.

What else do you have planned for 2023?

I’ll be looking to release my 2nd single with some booked shows, hopefully some festivals. I also intend on doing some travelling.

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