Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Keane.
Leah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Music has been a part of my life from the get go. At age two, I was banging away on a tiny toy piano, taking “song requests”, and performing popular tunes such as Old MacDonald and Itsy bitsy Spider. At age three, my parents took me to my first piano lesson- I loved it. My first experience singing in public was in middle school when I starred in our production of The Music Man. That moment solidified my love for performance. However, during High School, it was Sports, ASB, and AP Classes that took up my time, with music only subtly in the background. I convinced myself that my dream of being a singer/songwriter was too far-fetched.
I attended UCSD where I majored in Economics and minored in Music. During college, I taught myself how to play the ukulele and made my first attempts at songwriting. Upon graduating in 2015, I immediately began working as an Estimator for a Contracting Management Firm. A year in, the reality that I was living with little regard to the things that gave me joy hit me hard. So I took the money that I had been saving for grad school, quit my job, became a substitute teacher for a local school district for part-time work and leapt into music. I began taking guitar lessons and working with a mentor.
Now I perform all over San Diego County with my guitar and ukulele. I work with an extraordinarily talented guitarist, Javier Amezcua, as an acoustic duo as well. I have had the opportunity to play for local TV, weddings, and hear my songs on local radio. In 2019 I released my very first EP, followed by two singles later in the year, to all digital platforms. I am grateful that I have multiple avenues now to share my music and create real, personal and positive connections with people.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When taking on something as ambiguous as music, things are bound to get bumpy. The beginning is I think the most overwhelming because you’re learning about the business and about yourself. I remember performing for my first open mic thinking I was going to pass out! For months the nerves seemed to be something I could not control. Despite my discomfort, I tried to say yes to every opportunity I was given to sing. I played for farmers’ markets, open mics and for friends who would listen. I would say it took me a little over a year to gain some real professional confidence. This allowed me to finally market myself to wineries, weddings, private events, etc. and become a real part of the music community.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a folk singer/songwriter with a unique vibrato and soulful sound. Through my music, I strive to offer listeners empathy and insight. Nearly all of my songs are stories. I enjoy employing themes of personal growth and self-love in my songs because that is what I am constantly working on in my own life.
Collaboration is a key element in music which is why it is so exciting for me to be working with Javier Amezcua. With Javier on guitar, and myself on ukulele, we have developed a captivating sound. By blending jazz and pop styles, we create our own arrangements to popular tunes resulting in something that is both unique and familiar for audiences.
I am proud to be able to make people smile, to take them away from their hectic lives and give them something authentic. While making people want to get up and dance is always a rewarding feeling, I most enjoy making people pause. Maybe they are thinking of a specific memory, maybe the melody is calming or the words comforting… whatever it is it gives me the greatest satisfaction to know I am capable of helping people stop and smell the roses.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over, I would have begun my pursuit of music in college, rather than a year afterwards. I wish I had been going to open mics back then, taking guitar lessons, learning about marketing and all the rest. Additionally, the first year of my “music career” was filled with a ton of doubt. Doubt leads to anxiety… anxiety leads to watching another funny cat video rather than practicing guitar. I think if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would be far more disciplined and focused. Time is of the essence and I see now how important it is to manage it correctly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leahkeane.com/
- Email: info@leahkeane.com
- Instagram: @leahkeaneofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahkeanemusic/
Image Credit:
Javier Amezcua
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
