Artist Interview: DJ Keanler

• Can you walk us through your creative process when writing Timeless Reflections?

The creative process for this EP was honestly one of the most fulfilling I’ve had. I’d felt lost in my music for ever, constantly bouncing between styles that didn’t feel like me. In 2024, I really took the time to relearn how to create art, not just music, but also how to shape a whole artistic universe: visuals, branding, and intention.

Writing wise : It all started in May 2024 with “Soft Light” featuring Ren Ocean. But one of the defining moment was creating “Let It Burn” with LeyeT,  it’s a more downtempo, reflective track that opened the door to making things I truly felt connected to, without overthinking. After that, the rest just flowed. “Answers” was probably the easiest track I’ve ever made, “Wrath” + “Runs Like Water” came together very naturally too. It all finally made sense.

The writing and production phase started in May 2024 with “Soft Light” featuring Ren Ocean. That track felt like the starting point of something more intentional. A key moment for me was creating “Let It Burn” with LeyeT, it’s a more downtempo, reflective piece that helped me let go of the pressure to stick to one specific sound. After that, everything opened up creatively. “Answers” came together almost effortlessly, and both “Wrath” and “Runs Like Water” felt just as natural. That’s really when the EP started to click and make sense as a whole.

• Can you tell us about your background and how you got into music?

I’ve always been surrounded by music and creativity. My family is super musical, both of my parents play instruments, and whether I was at home or at my grandparents’, there was always music playing, either live or through speakers. That definitely caught my attention from a really young age.

One of my earliest memories is of my dad recording songs on his guitar and getting me and my sister to sing along. When I was about 4 or 5, I’d tag along to my sister’s clarinet lessons at a music school. One day, I stumbled into a room with two drum kits, and it instantly became a kind of safe space for years, a place where I could calm my hyperactive mind :).

I ended up playing drums for six years, until I reached middle school. Then, when I was 12, I came across Marshmello’s “Alone” and started watching Launchpad covers of it. I was completely hooked. I saved up for months to buy one, and to use it, I had to download Ableton. That was one of my first times inside a DAW. By the time I turned 14, I got a license for FL Studio for my birthday and really started diving into production. It quickly became my passion. I kept producing as a side hustle all throughout school, and after graduating, I decided to go all in.

• Who are your biggest musical influences? How have these influences shaped your sound and approach to music production?

I’m heavily inspired by the French electronic scene, artists like NTO and M83 have really shaped how I approach emotion in production. I’m also drawn to the German scene, especially Jan Blomqvist, Paul Kalkbrenner, Ben Bohmer, and Stefan Bodzin. Their sense of space, movement, and atmosphere has had a big impact on me lately.

Outside of electronic music, I listen to a lot of alt and indie artists like Jonathan Bree, Ghostly Kisses, and Vraell. I play them almost daily. Over time, I think my sound has naturally become a blend of all these influences: atmospheric, melodic, and emotional, with a strong focus on storytelling.

• What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Working on this EP has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career so far. The whole process felt necessary and it really helped me reconnect with why I make music in the first place. It reminded me that music isn’t just about the outcome, but about the moments shared with others. I’ve had some of my favorite creative experiences recently, making songs with people I’d never met before and somehow becoming close by the end of the session. That kind of connection is something I treasure.

At the same time, starting to tour has been an incredible new chapter. Performing live, meeting new people, seeing how the music resonates, it’s still a bit surreal. Sometimes I’ll go to concerts as a fan and end up getting recognized, which is a strange but amazing feeling. There’s this post-show high where I feel totally inspired and alive, and then, 30 minutes later, I’m back to reality. It’s a beautiful contrast.

A real turning point for me was supporting MEUTE. Just days before, the biggest audience I’d played for was 150 people, then suddenly, I was in front of 4,500. That leap was intense, but it pushed me in all the right ways.

• Can you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame them?

One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out who I am artistically. People always say, “You need to find your sound,” but no one really explains what that means or how to get there. In 2023, I found myself constantly wanting to shift directions, reinventing my style every few months. It became mentally draining and creatively confusing.

Eventually, I took a step back and stopped forcing things. I gave myself the space to just listen to full albums, to visual stories, to the worlds that other artists had created. I started feeding myself with art again, without pressure. That process helped me reconnect with what I genuinely love and slowly build something that felt personal and true. It didn’t happen overnight, but it grounded me and gave me clarity.

• How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music?

I’d describe it as a blend of melancholic textures, electronic depth, and indie sensibility. It lives somewhere between melodic house and introspective alt-electronic, the kind of music you can get lost in, whether you’re dancing, driving, or just lying down with your thoughts.

The more I grow, the more I find myself drawn to both extremes: the heavier, more intense side of electronic music, like my track “Wrath,” and the softer, more reflective side, like “Runs Like Water” or “Let It Burn.” I love exploring that contrast. I’m really excited about the music I’m currently working on and curious to see how that world continues to evolve in the months and years to come.

• What advice would you give to someone trying to make it as a professional musician?

Feed your brain with life, not just music. Explore things, read, watch films, interview, it’s all part of the creative process. The more you experience, the more you understand what truly moves you. And that’s how you start figuring out who you are as an artist. Don’t be afraid to be inspired by others. Inspiration isn’t copying,  it’s learning what resonates with you and turning that into something personal. Most importantly, take your time. There’s no straight path in music. The more you understand yourself, the more your music will reflect something real and lasting.

Trends come and go, but your artistic identity, if you build it honestly, can evolve and stay with you for a lifetime.