Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Keith Otten
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I was maybe 6 years old when my piano teacher sat me on the bench so that if middle C popped out of the keyboard it would hit me in the belly button. I still can’t play the piano to save my life, but at least I know where to sit….
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I think I was hooked as soon as I started to understand a little about how those most excellent guitar sounds were actually made, and realized that possibly I too could invent something cool.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I’m working on what will be my 6th solo release, and this is what keeps happening:
While I’m innocently minding my own business, the kernal of an idea inserts itself into my head (a compelling phrase or two, a cadence, a set of chords). Once it’s there I can’t ignore it, so I see if I can expand it into a real theme or story. Typically if I can get a couple of verses and a chorus I’ll keep working until it becomes an actual song….
Once I have a finished song I proceed immediately to recording.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
It’s alt/indie rock, sometimes veering toward alt country. I’m guitar-oriented but focused on the song itself. I like melodies and arrangements. As a singer I’m no Roy Orbison, but at least I have the strength of my convictions! Lyrically, I try to capture the mood with a handful of meaningful brushstrokes but not filling in the entire canvas. You can usually find some humor in there too.
All the music I’ve ever loved (Stones, Yardbirds, Bowie, Velvet Underground, Gram Parsons, Elvis Costello, PJ Harvey, The National, etc. etc.) is a part of me, but I don’t necessarily hear the influences in my music. Except… well… okay… I did once describe my guitar style as “Jimmy Page visits Nashville in 1966” (please don’t judge me!).
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
For years I could never reconcile my guitar-player side with my singer/songwriter side, as if I had two distinct musical personalities. It was only after I got comfortable doing solo-acoustic shows that I stopped thinking of them as separate things….
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I write almost everything on an acoustic guitar first. Recordings are done solo in my home studio with a Tascam multitrack and a drum machine. Drums, then the “main” guitar track (often acoustic), then vocals, bass, more guitars and keys. I use classic tube amps with a Two Notes box, and I’m mostly a Gibson player. My process is horribly inefficient but I make it work for me…. Starting with my last release I use LANDR for mastering and distribution.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’ve been loving MJ Lenderman’s vibe. He feels like an old soul to me, in the best way.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I share a great deal of myself in songs (which in my opinion is very brave), and that carries the imprint of accumulated life joy and life pain. Some of my best songs have been written years and years after the events that inspired them – I guess I’ve needed all that time for perspective….
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
It would be fantastic if my music brings a little joy or spurs some thought. I hope that my humanity shows through. If someone nods, taps their foot or gives a sweet little smile I am SO HAPPY!
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
You mean besides humility? The importance of continuing to work for what you want/need from a song until you’re satisfied (or can at least live with it!).
Oh yeah, it’s also taught me that I am absolutely terrible at selling myself…. Good at the music, horrible at the rest of it!
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
As a younger guy I got to play a lot at CBGB and a bunch of cool NYC venues, so I’m not spending a lot of time now dwelling on the dream scenarios…. In reality I’d be happy just having a small but steady network of support for local gigs.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I am tempted to say Keith Richards or Gram Parsons or David Bowie… but instead I am going to say Brian Eno because of the way he has pushed people to stretch themselves beyond their perceived limits. I have absolutely no idea what would come out of it, but that is exactly the point!
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://artists.landr.com/064837226514
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Realistically, I would just love to get some positive exposure for my next and existing releases. I expect my 6th solo release to drop by the end of 2026, and a 7th in my future!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That they would like to be listeners! I hope people will find that I write interesting songs that are worth spending a little time with.
If you want here you can add a representative Youtube video to insert below the interview 🙂
Link
