Interview with Keating

Cindy Keating's lyrics are "ALWAYS about the lessons I learn, the challenges I face, or the lessons/challenges I watch other people face." – by Mel in Toronto

Keating, a cross genre pop rock band from Edmonton, Canada, is our fourth indieMortal7. Their music is reminiscent of Coldplay with influences ranging from Oasis and U2, to Sarah McLachlan.

Keating is named after front woman Cindy Keating (lead vocals, piano, keys, guitars). The other band members are Johny Squires (bass guitar, background vocals), Vance Moss (lead guitars, background vocals), and Vince Noseworthy (drums). The band has been together for four years.

In September 2006, Keating released their debut album "Still But Not Stopped." This album contains eight songs. Cindy, who writes the lyrics to the songs, gives an insight into the stories behind four songs on the album: "FADING is about my mom. My parents got divorced a few years back, so the song was me watching her face those demons. I wrote BRIGHT LIGHTS when I was sitting in my music room one day, crying, and wondering if I would ever see my dream become a reality. It's the most real lyrics I've ever written about myself on this journey as a musician. BLACK & WHITE is about love. I saw a couple fighting in a coffee shop one day, and thought about how ironic it is that love is such a ‘can't live with/can't live without' type of thing. One minute we love love. The next we hate it. One day we need it. The next, we're better off without it. In one moment it's black, then it's changed to white! MUCH TO SAY is a challenge to oneself. You have all these things you want to do, but for some reason they don't get done. Things you want to say, and for some reason they never get said. It's about changing the tides of your own life and realizing that everything is NOT in our control. But to be okay with that and try anyway."

The band members have a long history in music making. Cindy went to school for her music degree in Alberta and Vince went for his in Newfoundland. While Johny and Vance are self-taught musicians, the whole band has one thing in common: they all started in church. Cindy remembers: "Where better to learn the ins and outs of an instrument than in front of an audience every Sunday at a young age? It was those times that taught us all how to improvise, and go with the flow. It's the perfect practice ground, and we're all better musicians for it."

What Cindy likes best about performing live are the faces: "If I can connect with someone, their facial expressions change, and it's the most rewarding feeling in the whole world." If you would like to check out Keating live, watch out for upcoming dates. The band is currently planning a tour!

"In your own words" ONE on ONE with Mel and Cindy Keating

Mel: Why was it important to Keating to be an indieMortal?

Cindy: It's great support for indie artists, so we're really appreciative of this opportunity. Thanks!

Mel: Which opportunities do you see with indieSolo?

Cindy: It's another chance to get our music out there. Another opportunity for people to hear us, and know what we're all about.

Mel: Who are your influences?

Cindy: Our biggest influence is Coldplay. We love the driving rhythm section with melodic piano riffs, delayed guitars with big sound and background ambient keypads. But we also greatly admired U2's passionate lyrics, and Oasis's rocky edge. Throw in a little Sarah McLachlan and you've got Keating.

Mel: What does it mean to you to be an indie artist?

Cindy: Musicians independent of the corporate control; musicians just doing their thing.

Mel: What would you like to achieve with your music?

Cindy: I'm sure you've heard it said before. But, we'd love to make a difference in people's lives through our music. I'd love our music to leave people with lasting impressions. A great song usually accompanies every great memory in life. When you hear that song, you're taken back to that special moment in your life. I'd love to create "Keating" impressions for people…. which is a challenge to ourselves to write meaningful music!

Mel: Which artist would you like to record a song with and why?

Cindy: I'd love to work with Bono. To me, he epitomizes the type of artist/person I strive to be. Not only is he hugely talented and passionate. But his music creates lasting impressions. And he models what he preaches. His realness comes through everything he does; on or off stage.

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