Keeana Kee – Sweet Heaven

By starrymag | December 28, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I love to call it “Exotic Pop” because I always have elements in my songs that are influenced by African or Latin cultures.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A)I always admired Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin and later talents like Sia, Beyoncé and Coldplay. My latest obsessions are African artists like Burna Boy.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Sweet Heaven.”

A) I wanted to write something inspirational. Something about that force or energy that helps you and protects you when you face obstacles in life or about that someone who lifts you up when you feel down – your Sweet Heaven.

 

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

A) I think most importantly it’s artist’s feelings and emotions. I always hope that each of my songs brings some healing to somebody’s soul above the fun and excitement and sometimes help them to get through the day. I put so much energy into my songs when recording them because I want for my listeners to feel me on the other side of the speakers. I want them to hear the pain in my voice when I sing about something sad or the excitement that I have when I sing of love, positivity and something inspirational. The most important part for me is the energy that my listeners will literally FEEL listening to my voice. The energy is what we share with music.

 

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

A) When the song was almost finished, it was around that time when I was reading news about ICE forcible deportations. Terrifying stories about the kids that were separated from their parents at the border when their parents were getting deported. I wanted to dedicate “Sweet Heaven” to these families and that’s how the story for the video came to life.

 

Q) What made Joshua Tree the perfect location to shoot the video? 

A) When producing the video, I wanted to array the difficulties of the persons journey – Latin American native trying to return back to the US to reunite with his daughter – and at the same time project the “heavenly beauty” of the song. Every detail mattered. The extreme conditions of the desert, its broadness was visually expressing the lead characters emotions – cold, loneliness, hardships… Color psychology in the “Sweet Heaven” music video is expressing a lot as well. BLUE means faith, spirituality, loyalty, fulfillment, peace, tranquility, trust, confidence…

PINK intents love, innocence, happy, romantic, soft, delicate, feminine – Sweet Heaven.

Joshua Tree with all its beauty was the perfect place for all of that.

 

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

A) I usually write over the tracks that I receive from producers. If I like the track and it connects with me, the melody and lyrics come along easily. Some songs I wrote playing with the guitar or piano chords myself. Then, I take the idea to the producers and we create the beat.

I do not have great piano and guitar skills, but I play enough to be able to write my songs with it.

 

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

A) I am 100% involved in everything from when I record in the studio to post processing- mixing and mastering. I am lucky to be working with people who are very understanding and open to listen to my opinion.

 

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

A) I do like to release my songs one by one. It gives me a chance to promote each of my songs individually and keeps my fans involved and not hanging for too long waiting for a completion of an album. But I will definitely create one in the near future.

 

Q) You are an active member with ISINA, Inc. to which is a talent search and mentoring program. what have you personally taken away from being a part of this program? 

A) I am not a part of ISINA any longer. I did get lucky enough to meet founders of the program like Walter Afanasieff, who is a legendary producer of artists like Mariah Carey and many more and work in his home studio on some of my songs. It was inspiring and I have learnt a lot. It also pushed me to work harder on my vocal and writing skills.

 

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

A) I would loooove to collaborate with artists like WizKid, Maluma and, of course, the Queen Madonna!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I love the new album of AURORA – A Different Kind of Human (Step II). It’s absolutely amazing! My fav song in it is “The Seed.” The lyrics are amazing and the vibe is so powerful.

 

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

A) I’d say, especially now, it is a very important tool during the pandemic to stay connected with people. I don’t see any other way. But it is undoubtedly a huge part of any artist’s life nowadays. This is how you reach out and find new listeners and they find you. This also allows them to be a part of my life.

 

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

A) I do REALLY appreciate all of you and every single one of you and I try to respond to every message on social media, maybe not right away, but I do eventually. Without you, my fans, there would be no me as an artist. I’m sending you my love. Stay safe and stay in touch.

Thank you so much Starry Constellation Magazine for chatting with me and supporting my art.

 

 

 

 

Watch The Video For “Sweet Heaven”