The man who never stops moving. Hailing from the midwest and currently calling Austin, TX home, Donovan Keith is best known for his classic soul vocals and infectious showmanship that has won over audiences time and time again. Donovan moved to Austin in 2009 and cut his teeth in the Texas music scene in gritty, low-ceiling dive bars with his first project, Soul Track Mind. STM was embraced by the community and Donovan’s one-of-a-kind, dance-infused stage show became beloved by fans and acknowledged by reviewers across the country, earning kudos from the likes of Performer Magazine which declared, “Aside from showcasing an impressive vocal range and blues-soaked sound, Keith can engage an audience with his unbridled enthusiasm and dance moves.”
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Donovan about the latest project, AI in music, choosing a favorite song of all time, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
AI (aka Artificial Intelligence aka Chat GPT 4.0)… How is it changing the music world? What are your thoughts about this new xx trend?
I believe it has a small upside. For me it has helped me play with lyric ideas when I get stuck writing or in the middle of writing and my brain gets tired. But thats it. Algorithms have completely ruined the artistic approach to music and made it entirely dominated by numbers. Music is an art that is supposed to be appreciated by the heart and soul. AI has helped create its homogenization and how the industry does business. As Phil Rogers said, “We’re more interested in science than wonder, in noise rather than silence.” AI just gives us a feedback loop of what we already know we like and it keeps us from truly exploring or being open to new sounds or even older traditional sounds that younger generations know nothing about.
Can you choose a favorite song of all time? Or is this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?
Its impossible but the Top 3 songs I think most influenced my career were 1. Bring It On Home To Me by Sam Cooke, 2. Long Tall Sally by Little Richard. 3. With a Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker version.
What about your latest release “Can’t Catch My Heart” makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
The goal was to make this song set the tone for the rest of the upcoming album. I think with the captured sounds and simplicity of the arrangement we achieved that. Audiences were responding well to it before it was recorded when we played it live around Europe and the US. So I wanted to make sure it connected with the audience emotionally just as much if not more than when we played live.
What motivates you to keep going? What inspires you to create music?
I’ve always been motivated by a direct connection to performing for a live audience. Recording for streams or playlists doesn’t interest me at all. When I write a new song and record it, I imagine what it will be like live and the emotional impact I want it to have. The purpose of my music is to serve a live audience and share in that connection. Anything else is just noise.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
I feel like I was born in the wrong era. Haha I don’t know if it would have been possible back then but Sam Cooke has been my biggest inspiration as a singer. It would’ve amazing to have collaborated on something with him.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
Favorite all time has be to Sam Cooke. Favorite modern living artist. Emily King. I love her songwriting and she has a distinctly unique musical and vocal style which cannot be said for the vast majority of pop artists today.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
On our website. www.donovankeithmusic.com and for social media I use Instagram the most because that’s what I’m more connected to visually. @donovankeithmusic
I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?
If you like what you hear from me there will be an upcoming album release coming in May and likely more tour dates in Europe and the US so stay tuned. Thank you for having me.
