WORDS BY
Jacqui James
TWENTY-FOUR YEAR-OLD Melbourne artist Keagan Clothier aka Ceeko recently released his debut single Alright which has been a mega hit on commercial radio.
Drawing on his experiences performing live gigs around Melbourne and appreciating the music of his idols including Michael Jackson and Usher, Alright is a fused groove and soul track that is extremely catchy and will soon become a favourite in nightclubs.
Many are comparing Ceeko to MJ and Justin Timberlake, but Keagan is rooted in his native South African upbringing. He and his family moved to Australia when he was a teenager. He was always surrounded by dance rhythms so some might say music is in his blood. On a sweet note, Keagan adoringly says his Mum is his idol.
Keagan aka Ceeko is a charming young man who definitely has his head screwed on. It was a pleasure to chat with an artist with so much passion about music.
G’day Ceeko and welcome to Gigs ‘n Interviews! Your very cool debut track Alright has exploded onto commercial radio! Can you believe how many people dig your song?
No, it’s a very surreal feeling, I’ve had great feedback on the song and it’s quiet a thrill knowing my music affects people in such a positive way.
When I listened to Alright it reminded me of old-school disco and funk, but still sounding unique. Did you grow up listening to different genres of music?
I grew up listening to a lot of old school funk and disco and then also a lot of popular music. I think that’s why my sound has become a fusion of vintage soul, disco and modern pop/R’n B. Hip Hop is also a strong anchor for my style.
You moved to Australia from South Africa when you were a teenager. Can you remember your very first impressions of Australia?
Wow this is different…the slang is different…the people are different. But after sometime I really adjusted to Melbourne and it’s now my home. {I} wouldn’t want to live in any other city.
At what age did you discover you could sing?
I only started to think I could really sing when friends and family in high school started to tell me I could. At first I would impersonate artists, eventually I started taken singing seriously and developed my own sound.
Even before releasing Alright, you performed in Melbourne clubs and bars. How did this prepare you to become an artist who has released a single?
Performing in small intimate environments was great. It really helped boost my performance chops and gave me a lot of confidence I did not have prior.
Teaming up with Jesse Hooper (Killing Heidi) and producer Jan Skubiszewsk, what did you learn about making music?
A hell of a lot. But I think one of the key points I always relate back to is keeping the music simple when it needs to be.
Who do you look up to and admire?
My mother, she’s about the hardest working, caring, compassionate person I know. We’ve been through a lot and she’s always made sure my brother and I were well looked after. She gave me a lot of self-belief and I think I get my determination and stubbornness from her. Which in the case of chasing dreams is a good thing.
Do you hope to release an EP or album in the future?
Definitely, we have plans to do so. I don’t want to say exactly when. But it’s definitely going to happen in the near future.
Do you have anything you would like to say to the people who made Alright appear in FOX FM’s Australian Top 20 in its first week after being released?
I am truly grateful for all your support. It takes a lot to put effort into supporting an artist and the fact a lot of people have done so for me is really humbling. So thanks to everyone who backs ‘Ceeko’.
If you would like to discover more about Ceeko, please head to:
http://www.facebook.com/ceekomusic
English