Keeda Ain't No Cinderella Interview

Keeda Ain't No Cinderella

 

Energetic. Powerful. Strong. Cheeky. Those are the words 21-year-old singer Keeda uses to describe herself and they're all qualities she draws on as her dream of making it as a performer comes true. Like any success that's well-deserved, it's been hard fought, with Keeda spending many years honing her craft – but with her debut single, 'Ain't No Cinderella", poised to explode, those efforts are about to pay off.

Keeda's story starts way back when she was 3 years old, when the versatile entertainer commenced dance classes. Success as a dancer only comes with hard work, persistence and talent, and Keeda demonstrated all three throughout her years of training. Then, at the age of 18, she competed in the second season of TV talent competition, So You Think You Can Dance, reaching the top 6 and becoming a fan favourite along the way.

All the while, Keeda was also developing her skills as a singer/songwriter. In fact, singing may have pre-dated dance in her life… just.
'Mum tells me I was running around with a microphone in my hand performing on the kitchen table from 2 years old," she says with a laugh.

Recording music in her home studio, and working with songwriters and producers from around the world has allowed Keeda to find her voice as an artist. In fact, she scrapped an entire album's worth of material and started from scratch to ensure her debut release would truly reflect her personality and point of view.

'Ain't No Cinderella" establishes Keeda's unique take on life perfectly. An edgy slice of pop/R&B, its message of independence couldn't be clearer.
'People have certain expectations from women," she explains. 'My message is: 'Just be you!' Girls shouldn't try to be what everyone thinks is right and should do what they truly feel is right within them. It's about being independent and not needing a Prince Charming to make your life complete."

Written when she was 17, 'Ain't No Cinderella" reflects the period of 'change and growth" Keeda was going through at the time.
'I was going from being a young girl to a young woman, but I believe every girl or woman can relate to not wanting to be trapped in a stereotype. I wanted to take the typical notion of Cinderella and mess her up a little."

Having a message and speaking to her listeners are both very important to Keeda, who resisted the temptation to release a feel-good party anthem in favour of a song with more substance.
'I wanted my first release to be something different to what is already out there. I wanted to go with something that tells a story and shows my audience who I am. I don't want to do what everyone else is doing; I want to do what feels right to me."

Standing out from the crowd has always been one of Keeda's strong points – and it's why she was able to impress the judges on another TV talent competition. In the 2012 season of The X Factor, Keeda made it as far as the judges' home visits stage of the competition, narrowly missing out on a spot in the live finals.

'That made me realise just how passionate I am and how much really I want this," Keeda reflects. 'I'm very determined and I choose to let every experience strengthen me. It's not an easy industry and you have to prove yourself as an artist by working hard to be respected in the industry."

But for every setback there have been just as many achievements, with Keeda also appearing in long-running series Home And Away, Dance Academy and in feature film The Combination. That's right, add actress to singer and dancer and you have a bona fide triple threat.

Those diverse abilities came in handy when it was time to film a music video for 'Ain't No Cinderella", with Keeda drawing on her dance and acting experience to bring the song to surreal life. 'I've trained very hard professionally in all three areas. I've always believed as an artist that it should be possible to do all three equally."

If any artist is going to be able to combine singing, dancing and acting into something truly phenomenal, it's Keeda, who represents the more confident, assured and outrageous side we all have inside of us.

'The only thing I have ever dreamed of, and still do to this day, is performing on a stage, putting on amazing shows and having people appreciate my music and me as an artist. I want to change people's lives, inspire young girls and boys and people all over the world!"

For more information see: www.keedamusic.com

 

Keeda Ain't No Cinderella Interview

Question: What's the story behind the name Keeda?

Keeda: I've been wanting to re-brand myself for a long time now but never found the right name.

Keeda came to me in a dream actually. I flying off to Melbourne for a gig and I fell asleep. I started dreaming about a 'concert', then the name 'KEEDA' was lit up in massive writing, then I saw myself walk out on stage. So when I woke up I was like 'THAT'S IT!' that's going to be my new name.


Question: How would you describe Ain't No Cinderella?

Keeda: 'Ain't No Cinderella' is actually about me. It's about transforming from a girl into woman. It's a little cheeky and playful.


Question: Where did the inspiration for the track Ain't No Cinderella come from?

Keeda: I was 17 when I wrote this track with my producers and I wanted to write about what I was going through at that time which was the shift from being a girl into become a woman. Going to my first 'club' having my first 'drink' and my first 'boyfriend'.


Question: How was it working with Nick and George Kacevski for the film clip of Ain't No Cinderella?

Keeda: Working with Nick and George was amazing! I love them so much. They are very talented guys and a lot of fun to work with. I met them a few years ago and saw some of their work and was like 'I HAVE to work with these guys'. So as soon as I had my track ready they were the first ones I called to do the clip.

Question: You're a contestant on Channel 7's X Factor, what inspired you to audition?

Keeda: I'm not really sure. I watched the show last year and remember after every live performance I would turn to mum and say 'I'm doing that next year'. I guess it was just something inside telling me to go and whenever I get that feeling then I just have to follow it.


Question: Can you share with us anything about your Channel 7's X Factor experience?

Keeda: X Factor was such an adrenalin rush for me. I had so much fun and learned a lot about myself. I have been so inspired by all the other contestants and got to meet some incredible artists and people on the show. It was definitely nerve wracking but worth it in so many ways.


Question: What was it like performing as Kaylah on Dance Academy? How did you relate to your character?

Keeda: I loved playing the role of Kaylah! Was actually one of my favourite roles yet! I guess because she was a hip hop dancer and had a pretty strong personality. She didn't necessarily get it easy with life and had to work hard for what she got, I could relate to her in many ways.


Question: What did you learn from Dance Academy?

Keeda: Working on Dance Academy was so much fun my dream is to do a Dance Movie one day. I learnt to combine my acting and dancing together on the show. There is so much to learn off everyone when you have so many talented people to work off in the show.


Question: Tell us about the upcoming album:

Keeda: Well at the moment I'm working on singles followed by an EP. I had an album finished and ready two years ago but realised it wasn't really me and decided to scrap it and star new from the beginning again. I am very excited about the release of my single "Ain't No Cinderella".


Question: What's next for you?
Keeda: I suppose whatever destiny has for me but right now it's about the music. I have a single which I am just about to release, then working towards my EP and lots of live gigs. I am developing myself as an artist and that takes lots of hard work including lots of song writing and performing.


Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Keeda: Hopefully touring with my own concert! I would like to see my music go international so I can travel around the world and perform.


Interview by Brooke Hunter