Chasing old sounds: Djo's "End of Beginning" with Joe Keery
Apr 9, 2024
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Actor turned musician Joe Keery discusses his album 'Decide' and the unexpected success of his hit song 'End of Beginning' on TikTok. The podcast explores his transition to music, nostalgia in his work, dealing with fame, and unconventional production techniques.
Joe Keery's accidental pop star status stemmed from TikTok success with 'End of Beginning', reflecting a nostalgic connection to his music roots.
Experimentation with avant-garde style and Hyper Pop influences shaped Joe Keery's album tracks, highlighting his psychedelic rock background in 'Decide'.
Deep dives
Joe Keery's Musical Journey
Joe Keery, known for his acting, has a passion for music dating back to his childhood exposure to School of Rock. Starting in a garage band, he later joined a psychedelic rock group in Chicago. Despite his Stranger Things success, music remained a passion, leading to self-recording and releasing albums. His song 'End of Beginning' unexpectedly soared on TikTok, reflecting his nostalgic connection to his music roots.
Decisiveness and Music Composition
Keery discusses the creative process behind his music, emphasizing experimentation with guitar, bass, and drums in live recordings. His decision to pursue an avant-garde style, influenced by Hyper Pop, led to album tracks that reflected his psychedelic rock background. 'End of Beginning' emerged as a simple, yet profound addition to his sophomore album, 'Decide', calling back to his formative years in Chicago.
Nostalgia and Self-Discovery Through Music
The song 'End of Beginning' captures Keery's longing for past experiences in Chicago while balancing his transient acting career across various locations. Reflecting on the fleeting nature of youth and identity, the track embodies a bittersweet sentiment of reminiscing about simpler times while adapting to present challenges and growth. Keery acknowledges the universal theme of evolving through nostalgia amidst changing circumstances.
Impact of Social Media on Music Success
Keery's unexpected breakthrough on TikTok with 'End of Beginning' underscores the power of social media in shaping musicians' careers. The song's resonance with listeners and its organic rise on platforms like TikTok led to its Billboard chart success, highlighting the fusion of personal storytelling and digital virality in contemporary music promotion. Keery navigates the balance of celebrity influence and artistic authenticity, embracing the unpredictability of music industry trajectories.
Joe Keery is best known for his acting roles, such as the reformed jock Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" and his chilling performance in season 5 of "Fargo." But he's also a spectacular musician. Rising through the Chicago music scene in college, he has self-released two albums under the moniker 'Djo.' His latest work, "Decide" from 2022, serves as a coming-of-age story and a meditation on navigating modern life. Despite strong initial reviews, the album only gained widespread attention two years later when its breakout hit "End of Beginning" became a soundtrack for youthful nostalgia on TikTok, casting Keery as an accidental pop star. Joe Keery joined "Switched On Pop" to discuss the creation and significance of "Decide."