Kel's Interview
A lush and luminous journey draped in bittersweet warmth, the debut single Paradise from emerging Sydney singer-songwriter Kel is a feast for the senses and the soul. Accompanied by a self-directed music video also out today, Paradise marks a sublime introduction into Kel's musical world, with the track set to launch tonight live in action at The Great Club (Marrickville) in Sydney.
An emotive, rock-inspired ballad, inspired equally by the soulful flavours of Finneas and Conan Gray and even Taylor Swift, Paradise was written and arranged entirely by Kel, with production courtesy of the legendary John Castle, whose previous work includes Vance Joy's Riptide as well as work with Megan Washington, Angus & Julia Stone, and Cub Sport. Swelling between a softly euphoric ballad and a driving, dreamy anthem, Paradise also tugs at the heartstrings via Kel's emphatic narrative surrounding lost love, as he elaborates, "Paradise is a song about a break-up. It's a metaphor about losing something special about a place you might've shared with someone else, and how places and feelings change sometimes. It was inspired by a trip with my friends to a beach on the South Coast NSW. I wanted to write a song that felt like that place".
With Kel impressively conjuring his debut track with John Castle remotely via phone calls and Zoom sessions, Paradise was then mastered at Studios 301 in Sydney by Steve Smart. But the track's accompanying music video was ultimately a DIY and family affair, with Kel making the poignant music video for his first sonic release during a family holiday. "The music video was made by myself and some family on a holiday," shares Kel. "As a current film student, I was keen to direct and film my own video. When I was writing the song, the opening lyrics stuck out to me. Sunrise and long hikes. So, I knew I wanted the main visuals to be central around a beach. The song is about a favourite place that doesn't belong to you anymore. I've found that often we connect certain places with people, and when that connection's lost, the place is not the same".
Hailing from a musical family, Kel began playing multiple instruments and singing while in high school, going on to pen his first original compositions in year 12. After producing some videos of himself, Kel's search began for a producer in earnest, ultimately resulting in his discovery of John Castle and falling in love with the talented producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist's sound and catalogue. From sending his videos to John, the two immediately began working together. While Paradise may mark the first single unleashed into the wild for Kel, the future looks bright for this talented up-and-comer currently working towards his debut EP. And if you're lucky enough to be in Sydney tonight, you may very well catch some of Kel's unreleased material this evening alongside his brand new single at the Paradise single launch at The Great Club (Marrickville). "You can expect a large variety of different songs," reveals Kel of the musical treasures lying in wait for his upcoming performance tonight. "A lot of the time when I'm writing, I pull inspiration from other genres, so my live shows are a mixture of exciting and vibrant songs with a huge band, as well as some slower songs where it's just me playing and singing with a piano. It's a mix of ballads, rock driven sounds, and acoustic storytelling".
Paradise is out now
Kel's Interview
How would you describe your music?
I would describe my music as alternative emotional ballads with some pop-rock influences
Can you tell us about your single Paradise?
Paradise was written by myself and produced by John Castle, it's a story about a breakup in a relationship and the emotions and feelings that can be connected to places you shared with someone.
What inspired Paradise?
I was inspired to write it after a beach trip to the South Coast, it was really visually inspiring and took some inspiration from what was happening in my life and I wrote the lyrics of Paradise to reflect how I was feeling at the time
Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?
Given that most of the songs I have written have been about my relationships and my period of growing as a teenager to a young adult - maybe a message I would hope listeners take away is that growing up and figuring out relationships can be sometimes chaotic and turbulent, but it's also normal and something we learn through.
Do you prefer performing live or recording?
I love both, but probably performing live, as I get to see and be with people as they listen to my music and there's a lot more energy and excitement.
What should we expect from your upcoming tour/shows?
I like to throw different spins on my songs sometimes, some of the unreleased songs I play different arrangements with different instruments or soundscapes so I'm always thinking how I can reimagine my songs for a live tour, giving the songs new meaning. But generally you could expect some high energy songs but also some more intimate acoustic songs that I perform the way they were written, by myself on a piano or guitar.
If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?
Taylor Swift, I think she's a great songwriter and performer, she's definitely an idol in the music industry and her concerts are always phenomenal.
I guess before everything it's usually whatever is happening in my life. But I also pull inspiration from movies, books, places or my own friendships or attitudes to life.
Which music/artists are you currently listening to?
Finneas, Phoebe Bridgers, Ruel
What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
My family were my main source of inspiration to play and make music, they taught me everything I know, but I'd say my main inspiration to go into the industry was the feeling of performing live. I found that when I played live music it was exciting and energetic and I loved doing it for an audience.
What advice do you have for aspiring songwriters or artists?
Reach out to heaps of people with your music - I was lucky enough to work with John after sending him a video of me playing Paradise on my piano, you'll never know who might really resonate with your music.
What's next, for you?
At the moment, recording more music is definitely next for me.
Can you share your socials?
https://www.facebook.com/people/Kel/100091434665753/
https://www.instagram.com/keltreds/
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