We were lucky to catch up with Keagan Stromberg recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Keagan, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

March 14, 2022. Probably one of the biggest risks I’ve taken. I had just quit my job at a coffee shop to pursue music full time. I didn’t know what that meant or how it was going to workout. But, I figured if I was going to be broke, why not do what I love instead of working for someone else who wasn’t paying me a lot. So, I decided I would do Uber Eats in the evening and work on music the rest of the time. The first couple of weeks started out really strong and then I got a little relaxed and sidetracked on what the main plan was. I got a little discouraged because only a few of my emails had been returned, I felt like creatively I was in a dry place, and I just became stagnant. Well that all changed when I got in a car accident and my car ended up being totaled out. Not even two months in to pursuing music full time, my means of making money outside of music vanished. Music wasn’t bringing in that much money. I think after the show I did in one of the months, I only walked away with $50. Definitely not enough to cover my expenses haha. So, I took the jump and was flying for a bit… but I think God took my parachute away and let me hit the bottom. For a good reason though. I had to figure out what I really wanted and to understand what it truly means to want something but not put it before Him. I took the risk and fell on my butt. Probably one of the lowest times in my life. No money, had to find a new job, and almost had to move back across the country. It made me realize I don’t actually depend on myself but showed me how resilient I could be. No way I was going to stay down there forever. God put me back on the right track eventually, but sometimes you gotta take that risk and be okay with not knowing the outcome. Even if it puts you on your butt.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Keagan and I’m a singer-songwriter/producer. I am also much more than that. First I’m a child of God. After that, I’d like to think of myself as just an overall creative in general. Whether its music, fashion, or photography, I like to dabble in it all. Music is the main thing though. It’s always felt the most natural.

I’m from a small town in Kentucky but currently live in Phoenix, AZ. I grew up around music and the arts. My mom and dad loved playing neo-soul and gospel. Their parents loved playing soul and jazz and my love from music grew from there. I grew up singing and playing piano as well as saxophone for a bit. But, I was also a basketball player which consumed most of my adolescent years. But like they say, “whats meant for you will find you”. Well, music sure did find me again. Although I’m not sure it left… I think I was the one who ran away from it. Then in High School I realized it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Sophomore year my mom brought home a producing software called Fl-Studio and I started making beats on that. Then I started recording. The latency was so bad that I started recording in Audacity instead hahaha. Then I upgraded my laptop and got another DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Ableton and it was game over from there. Beats turned into songs and songs turned into EP’s and Albums. I released my first song my junior year of High School and haven’t stopped since.

Now I do whatever is needed honestly. Im a producer, singer, and songwriter mainly but I have also done film scoring, commercial production, and podcast editing.

I think what sets me apart as a creative is my authenticity and vulnerability. I never want to be a duplicate because I’ve been made fearfully and wonderfully unique. Just like you. But, I think I’ve been blessed with the confidence to truly be myself no matter where I’m at or who I’ m around and I think people can see that and it allows them to feel more at home. Sometimes I talk to people and a few minutes in they say, “I don’t know why I’m tell you all this but I feel fine sharing it with you.” I think its just a testament to a gift I’ve been blessed with.

I think it shows in my music too. This allows me to take inspiration from these conversations or scenarios and put it right back into the songs. It’s never filler or commercially packaged. It’s real, honest, and raw. I think thats what people need and people are seeking for. In timeless music I think thats what makes it transcend all boundaries. Its just real, and it makes you feel like you were right there with them when they were experiencing what was written about.

“A champion for the people caught up” is what we came up with (shout out Kyle). Everybody’s caught up in something and I just want to be that person that’s there for you letting you know I’m right there with you going through it too. You ain’t alone OG.

I’m most proud of never giving up and building a community of people around me who really care about our craft and each other. It’s hard to come by. I know the accolades, crazy moments, and big opportunities will come. But the people are more important to me.

I realized that none of this is about me. It’s all about you and what God wants to do through me for His kingdom and whoever may be touched by what He’s doing through me. I just want to be obedient. All else will come.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Connecting with others. The arts are such a powerful medium and I think music in specific can communicate things that may not be able to be expressed in words. To see the connection that it allows for people from all walks of life is so amazing. A simple melody or drum pattern can be known around the world and bring out the same emotion from so many different people. Its kinda crazy. Then you look at all the things that surround the music. Artists, managers, promoters, marketers, publicists, videographers, photographers, concert teams, commercials, the list goes on. Music is so much more than just vibrating air. I mean technically its not, but you know what I’m trying to say.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Tik tok is huge right now. Even I struggle with being consistent but posting on there is crazy. I had to get over the mental block too. Its crazy that the algorithm puts your video in front of a new audience every post. So try to be on there. I get it, it can be cringe. But it works. You can repurpose that content for IG reels too. I posted one 2 months ago and its still getting hundreds of views and like a day.

Above all, I think just being yourself is the best way to go though. Find things you like, post about em, keep people in the loop of your everyday life too. For me the over produced super commercial feel is so inorganic. Just do what you liek and post it. Yolo.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keasounds/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keasounds/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/keasounds
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgkTL9duLZGx1wrEY4Nklw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@keasounds?lang=en

Image Credits
Kenzie Rich Photography @kenzierichphotography Photos by Sarai @photosbysarai