Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for your single ‘O.T.N’?

The main inspiration for O.T.N was Breakfast Can Wait by Prince, not that I went in and tried to replicate the song but more emulate the minimalist and simple feel to a degree and build off that. We added a lot of layers in this song but nothing that really dominated the rest of the parts which I really liked. Especially a lot of the little things that people might not recognise after a couple listens, the passing chords through the verses, the percussive parts that take place throughout the song, the chicken grease in the chorus,and so much more. The outro was inspired by Earth Wind and Fire’s track Shining Star where everything drops out including effects. The main thing for me when I started making the song was to have a funky song with a funky bass line and I feel like we did that.

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

For me it can vary, I usually start my process with the beat itself, I'll muck around with keys until I find something I like then I'll move into adding drums and bass then other complimentary parts. When I write I usually just improvise till I have a melody I like, then go from there and figure out what I wanna say. There have been times where I'll start with words and a melody then build on that, but nine out of ten times I’ll start with a beat. Once I have my parts down and a general idea of what I want it to sound like I'll bring it to my good friend and producer Yianni Adams to see what he thinks. Once we have an understanding on what we wanna do with it, we go through it together adding and enhancing parts, and that’s basically it.

What was the first concert you ever went to?

So whack, but the first concert i ever went to was a Nelly concert back in 2005, he was here on his Suit/Sweat tour, which is just quietly a great album. As a kid I had this weird obsession with one of the rappers in his group, Murphy Lee who had come on tour with him.My parents really liked Nelly so they got tickets and we all went. Unfortunately it was way too loud for me and I remember just crying because of the noise, so it was a bit of a dampener on the show but still a great memory.

If you could share the stage with any musician (alive or dead) who would it be?

It’s a tough one but John Mayer. I think, along with being one of greatest musicians of all time I believe he’s one of the greatest minds too. I believe he has a song for every emotion a person could go through, and his music will age very well. I’d sing a verse and just let him solo the whole set.

Top 5 records you are rinsing right now?
Top 5 tracks I’m rinsing right now goes as follows..

1. Honky Cat - Elton John

2. Loretta - Ginger root

3. Ride Home - Felivand

4.Naked - MALIA

5. Stayin’ Alive - Scary pockets (Feat. Lizzie McAlpin)

Any plans for a tour / gigs on the cards?

Yes definitely have plans for more gigs throughout this year, hopefully can do The Lansdowne and Oxford Art Factory throughout the year.

A Quick Chat with Keanu