Beth Keeping – San Francisco

By starrymag | December 17, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) It’s a fusion of pop music and country storytelling lyrics. I love the catchy melodies and production you find in pop, but I also really admire the discipline of Nashville lyric writing so I try and bring this into my songs where I can.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) When I was young, I was a huge Delta Goodrem fan. She’s an Australian singer who plays piano and writes her own music, so she inspired me a lot growing up. Today I’d say anyone who is making catchy music that says something real – Lauv, Sasha Sloane, Wrabel, Julia Michaels, etc.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “San Francisco.”

A) I wrote the song after an experience I had when I was backpacking in South East Asia. I met someone from San Francisco in Vietnam and we were just friends, but there was a moment when we said goodbye where I felt something could have happened yet neither of us acted on it. The song is looking back on that “almost moment” and accepting that it’s in the past but also wondering what would happen if you had another opportunity. It’s not making any assumptions, just casually saying: “I’ll probably never see you again, but if I’m ever in San Francisco would you care?”

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) Most people seem to be loving how fun and catchy it is – the music video reflects that fun feel and has been really well-received. A few fans have also told me how much they relate to that wishful thinking of what would happen if you were ever in the same place as someone you were once involved with.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I shot the video myself with a selfie stick in San Francisco. I was in LA for a songwriting trip, so I decided to drive up for the weekend because it was too good an opportunity! What I love about it being selfie-style is it’s both fun and slightly lonely at the same time. The point of the song is how we hold onto those “what if’s” and possibilities, but showing me wandering around the city alone suggests that if we act on these flights of fancy it doesn’t mean things are going to work out the way we imagine in our heads. I’m wandering around San Fran singing “If I’m ever in San Francisco would you want to know?” … But I’m clearly alone and not with that person.

 

Q You started out as a country/pop mix musically. What inspired you to want to shift solely to pop music?

A) It felt more like me. Lyrically, I love telling stories and adding details, but I love a good pop chorus and beat.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It varies depending on the song, but I usually start with an idea and a few lines of random lyrics and thoughts. Then, a melody usually comes for a verse or chorus and I piece the whole thing together. I love cowriting though, so I usually end up bringing the song to someone else once I know what I want to say, as it’s always fun to have someone else’s input whether melodically or lyrically.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) My friend Kaity Rae, who I wrote the song with, produced the track as we wrote. So, it kind of all came together at the same time. I wasn’t involved in the production – that’s all Kaity’s genius – but theme of the song and the melodies definitely influenced it.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Beth Keeping performance?

A) Lots of stories…I can’t play a song without telling people what it’s about! I always find it’s easier to connect to a song if you know where it came from.

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future?

A) There’s definitely a lot of different things in the works! I’m just releasing singles for now but I’m also collecting a body of work under a specific theme for a future release, hopefully next year.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) My favorite gig is the first one I ever did! I played at a charity event in Durham Cathedral when I was at university. It’s a Norman building almost a thousand years old and the acoustic were insane. Now, I love to play in writers rounds like the “Write Like A Girl” nights. It’s always a special atmosphere.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) There’s an artist and writer from LA called Wrabel who has inspired me so much with his honest lyrics and overall vibe. I’d love to do something with him.

 

Q) You are the founder of the initiative “Write Like a Girl” to shine a light on female songwriters. Why is this cause so close to your heart?

A) I am! “Write Like a Girl” is about championing them and celebrating the way that we write as women. I feel strongly about it for several reasons. Firstly, because women are underrepresented in songwriting (currently only 17% in the UK) and I’ve been in so many networking rooms where I’ve been one of only three or four women. I’m also really passionate about women supporting other women. We’ve introduced a new part to our shows where we encourage the artists on stage to share something complimentary about someone else’s writing style. It’s a really beautiful moment where you see talented women recognizing each others’ gifts and not feeling threatened or competitive.

 

Q) You’re also a women and equality in music advocate. What do you think the music industry needs to do in order to be more inclusive?

A) There are some really great organizations and schemes out there to get more women into music. I’d love to see more funding for production and instrument classes for girls. Often, as a woman in a writing session, you tend to do the melody and lyrics, but it’s the men who lead on the instrumentation and production. I’d love more women to feel confident enough to play for themselves and build a production track – it’s badass! I think the attitude towards women also just needs to change. One thing (as I said before) is about women supporting other women and sharing contacts and opportunities, but also we need to get rid of prejudice around age and looks and be intentional about promoting more women in the business side the industry.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I think people want to connect on a deeper level now rather than just through the music itself and the occasional interview. We want to know the person behind the art. I personally watch far too many Instagram stories of my favorite singers and actors making their morning coffee and eating breakfast…So, there’s definitely something nice about going on that journey with someone.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you! It means so much that people take the time to listen to songs I’ve poured myself into. I’d also love to hear other people’s stories. If you’ve connected to one of my songs because it speaks to something in your life I’d love to hear about it.

 

Watch The Video For “San Francisco”