Kennen is a new up and coming indie artist with well-known single, 'Timothée Chalame', and I was lucky enough to interview him before he became the next big thing.
MIA: As an incredibly large fan of timothee myself, I assume your song Timothée Chalamet came into my suggested songs because of that. Was it your intention to blow up with that song? To catch the attention of his fanbase in particular?
KENNEN: It wasn't quite my intention–I really just had a crush who looked like Timmy and wanted to make a song about it, though I did think I'd be cool for the song to reach his fans. I grew to a big fan myself, between the time I wrote it and its release–I even have a top-secret IG fan account. I've seen firsthand how there's actually a really creative and supportive community. It's cool being a part of that. And as an independent musician who's trying to get their career started, I'm really thankful for my music reaching a new audience.
M: Your singles all have a similar cover of an old tape. Is there a theme for a reason? What attracted you to that aesthetic for the covers?
K: On the surface level, I love retro aesthetics and it's influenced my fashion and sound, so the cassettes on the cover art of the singles matched that. When my EP comes out, it'll be called "Kennen's Cassettes". There was another part of the concept: I have songs in this EP about themes like unrequited love–themes that are really personal. So, I wanted to create a feeling for the listener–an image in their head of themselves, rummaging through their attic and stumbling upon a box of someone's DIY cassette recordings and mixtapes–things that were personal to its owner and a snapshot of their lives at the time, similar to journal entries. So I think the cassettes concept helps imply that sort of feeling for the listener.
M: We all (lets be honest) have a crush on Timothée. When writing your single, did you write it from how you really feel about the heart throb?
K: He's such a talented and kindhearted person. I sketch portraits as a hobby, so I can confidently say this: he has a really beautiful and unique face. His downturned eyes, striking jaw and cheeks, and his hair... I'm not even gonna go into his hair. Also, his goofy moments are really endearing.
M: Has the response from Timothée fans been positive overall?
K: Yes! People have reached out and sent really nice messages that make my day. I never expected this. For me, it's just a goofy song haha. I really appreciate it.
M: Are there anymore singles we can be looking forward to coming out?
K: Yes! My next single is City Lights coming July 3rd, followed by my EP on July 31st.
M: Was Call Me By Your Name your first introduction to Timothée? Did the movie at all effect your music or even MVs?
K: It was! I loved the movie, and we all remember that peach scene. I took a peach-picking gif from the movie and edited it into my lyric video.
M: Do you often take inspiration from movies, art or other inspirational people when it comes to your music?
K: For sure, I'm inspired by a lot of different things. I take inspiration from other musicians like Conan Gray, The 1975 and Daft Punk. I like taking the nostalgic-feeling sounds from the '80s and '70s and making them sound fresh. When it comes to my own life... for this EP, I've pulled lyrical inspiration from crushes I've had–without those people, this EP definitely wouldn't have been a thing, that's for sure.
M: What is your next big goal to reach with your music?
K: I haven't done any live performances yet–it's definitely a goal of mine to do my first one when the pandemic is over.
M: Are there any other celebs you would make a song for?
K: River Phoenix was an actor with a very multidimensional story, I think I could make a really introspective song inspired by him. Jaymin Khansmith is my TikTok crush–I'd have fun writing about that. Also, I've listened to Rihanna since I was 8, so at this point, I feel like I owe her back a song or something.
M: I’ve had the opportunity to meet Timmy twice and I get nervous of what to say every time. If you could, what would be the first thing you’d say to him? (Stream Timothée Chalamet by Kennen!! lmao)
K: You are very lucky! Showing him my song doesn't sound that bad actually, haha. I can picture myself outside of TIFF, frantically trying to get it to play through my phone speakers before he has to turn to sign autographs for the other fans and then get ushered away by his security guard.
Comments