Houston-born singer, songwriter, and producer keshi has officially released his long-awaited sophomore album Requiem, captivating listeners with a blend of intimate lyrics, moody melodies, and heartfelt soundscapes.
Known for his distinct falsetto and emotional depth, keshi’s return with Requiem marks a significant evolution in his artistry, following the success of his debut album Gabriel in 2022.
With Requiem now out, keshi is also gearing up for his headlining world tour.
In a recent press conference, keshi opened up about the making of Requiem, his creative process, and his excitement for the upcoming tour. Here are some of the highlights from the conversation:
Q: How does the creative process for Requiem differ from your previous albums?
keshi: “It was a lot more collaborative this time. With Gabriel, I started most songs in my studio in Houston, then took them to LA to finish with Elie. For Requiem, we started and finished songs together. I invited more input this time, which was a bit nerve-wracking, but it led to new ideas and growth. Working closely with a dedicated team—me, Elie, Imad, and JQ—really pushed me as a writer and producer.”
Q: Can you share one of your favourite moments from making the album?
keshi: Besides the dinners, one of my favourite moments was making the first song on the album, ‘Amen.’ It’s only a minute long, but it’s so dynamic. We worked on it in my house, and during breaks, we’d go outside and play PlayStation or watch my friends fail miserably at Dark Souls. It was a fun, laid-back time in Houston.
Q: Your new song ‘Soft Spot’ was teased on social media. Can you tell us more about it?
keshi: “‘Soft Spot’ is the sweetest song on the album. It’s sonically and content-wise very different from anything I’ve done before. I was nervous about how people would receive it because it’s so different, but the response has been great! The song is about that feeling when someone becomes everything to you, and you can’t imagine life without them.”
Q: You’re clearly very passionate about making music. What are some of your favourite things to do in your free time besides making music?
keshi: “Honestly, my days are very normal and routine. I wake up, make myself an espresso, maybe have breakfast, then hit the gym. Lately, it’s been a lot of work with emails and stuff. But outside of work, I enjoy playing video games or just listening to music. I think musicians often forget to listen to music for fun because we get so caught up in creating it. Sometimes, I’ll just listen to Queen, Charli XCX, or Sabrina Carpenter to see what they’re doing. I’ve also been reading manga a lot lately. I have a huge shelf of my favorite series, and I’ll just pull a book down and read for 10 minutes when I need a break.”
Q: What milestones have you celebrated this year, and what are you looking forward to?
keshi: “Wow, great question! In terms of personal milestones, this year I played my biggest show ever, in Shanghai. It was a full-fledged arena, and during the performance, I asked everyone to turn on their phone lights. Instead of just a big wall of lights, it was a full circle around me. That was a huge moment for me. Personally, I’m turning 30 soon, and while some people get anxious about that, I’m excited. I feel proud of what I’ve accomplished so far, and I’m ready to embrace aging gracefully.”
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming Southeast Asia tour?
keshi: “Southeast Asia has always had an incredible energy, and I’m so excited to come back. I can’t wait to play the new songs from Requiem live and connect with the fans in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, and Singapore. It’s going to be a special experience for sure.”
Be sure to catch keshi live when he hits the stage in Southeast Asia, and immerse yourself in the world of Requiem!
