Keto

Hi Leah, how are you?
I’m grand enough thank you. How are you?

You’ve recently gone from performing under your own name to Keto. Why the change?
The name has meant a lot to me for a while. This year I’ve been working on a band set up and I just felt it was right . It’s like an extension of Leah Sinead…kind of weird talking about yourself in third person.

In five words how would you describe the music that you make?
I’d say to people "come and find out for yourselves". However, maybe: Melancholy, dark, unusual vocals, unique. Kinda five...

How long have you been writing and performing for?
Gigging for about two years now, playing guitar for about three years, it's flown by really.

What was your first time performing live like?
I was pretty nervous, I didn’t speak much - so not much has changed really. It was at Acoustic Rooms at Rescue Rooms, half an hour of covers, I’m sure it was fun for everyone involved.

What has been your favourite gig to play so far?
Splendour Festival was cool this year, it was fun to watch everyone getting wet. But around Notts I’ve played some lovely shows. My music suits venues and people that like to listen. I like to play The Maze because the sound is always great and everyone always listens. But Jam Cafe is my favourite venue to play, it’s always fun and gets a bit rowdy afterwards.

…And the worst?
I’ve played gigs where people have shouted things at me like “get your tits out", they weren’t the best, can’t really remember where they were. I’ve had football fans tell me to get back to Notts, that wasn’t a great place to play. There’s been a few, but I can’t really remember, I don’t let things like that bother me.

When you were first starting out how did you go about trying to get gigs and getting  your name ‘out there’?
I played a lot, a hell of a lot, sometimes I was playing five times a week. You’ve got to work hard to get where you want, and if you love it, it’s not really hard work is it?

You are involved with Denizen. Can you tell me how that came about and how they help you?
Yep, my friend Kristi works for them. She didn't know I could sing, she came to a gig then played Spencer and Pete them some of my stuff, and I think they liked it. That’s it really.

How supportive do you find Nottingham towards your music and do you feel part of any kind of ‘scene’?
I don’t really feel a part of any specific scene. I guess I’m just part of the Notts music scene. When I play people clap, so that’s quite supportive...

There are a lot of singer-songwriters in Nottingham at the moment. Do you all get on or is it highly competitive between you all?
Personally, I don’t feel like I’m in a competitive environment, but I guess that depends on what kind of person you are. I mean, it would be a bit contrived to think that every person who plays music in Notts like each other and get on well.

What is your earliest music memory?
My Grandad singing Irish folk songs and reciting poems to me.

What music coming out of Nottingham at the moment would you recommend to us?
You should definitely check out some of the other Denizen artists, there’s some really great music on their roster: Shelter Point, Kagoule, Field Studies. Other than that I’ve always really enjoyed watching Ryan Thomas’s sets, Cecille Grey, Hhymn.

What can we expect from your set at The Maze?
It’s just going to be me playing a few songs, proper stripped back, no band It’s been a while so should be fun…

What are your plans for 2015?
Write lots of songs, play lots of gig, and do lots of recording

Keto performs at Not Just A Pretty Face alongside Bus Stop Madonnas at Rattle at The Maze on Thursday 27 November 2014. The night has been organised by Feminist Friends Nottingham and is in aid of Nottingham Central Women's Aid. Facebook event.

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