Keni On Pursuing An Entertainment Career In LA and her single 'Bev Hillz'

'Bev Hillz' is an impressive, stirring indie-pop cut by Keni. 'Bev Hillz' serves as a standout showcase of her breathy vocals and off-kilter songwriting. The single 'Bev Hillz' is a kooky homage to her heroes Weezer. Keni has also released a brilliant video to accompany the single. In conversation with Clique, Keni shares that the best part of pursuing an entertainment career in LA is that most everyone you’ll meet is pursuing one too. It facilitates a great place for collaboration and just happiness. struggling artists who hopefully will not be struggling forever.

CLIQUE: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. We are so excited about 'Bev Hillz'. How does it make you feel knowing it's out?

KENI: hii yes of course thank you for wanting to talk to me! It’s such a weird feeling. This song is almost a year old and it has burned a hole in my brain listening to it so many times. i’m happy it’s out though of course.

CLIQUE: Why did you decide to write a song about Beverly Hills/ LA?

KENI: i grew up in the San Fernando Valley at a private school with kids who’s parents were famous. LA breeds a want of fame and success and I fell in the hole. hard. i also just love weezer.

CLIQUE: What is something you hope the listeners take away from listening to 'Bev Hillz'?

KENI: I honestly hope that anyone with dreams of hollywood or success feels seen when they hear Bev Hillz. I also hope they listen to it on the way to the beach.

CLIQUE: You also have a video for 'Bev Hillz', how fun was that for you to make?

KENI: the most fun. Aerin Moreno who directed it is one of my closest friends and we just ran around LA laughing and having fun. The best part of pursuing an entertainment career in LA is that most everyone you’ll meet is pursuing one too. It facilitates a great place for collaboration and just happiness. struggling artists who hopefully will not be struggling forever.

“I honestly love being around people who are smarter than me and willing to help make my vision better. Collaborating is a GIFT.”

CLIQUE: Is it important for you to have creative control in music videos, or do you like to collaborate and take directions from others?

KENI: I honestly love being around people who are smarter than me and willing to help make my vision better. Collaborating is a GIFT. big time. Also Aerin always tells me when i’m not giving what I could and that is my favorite way to work. So I guess simply put I love direction and notes from others.

CLIQUE: What does the process of creating a song look like for you?

KENI: The song process is pretty much the same for me every time. i’ll write the full song or most of it in my living room alone and then bring it to my producer (who is a genius) and we just usually have some food and make a song. Basically hanging out and making something we both like. It’s again a super collaborative space where any idea or note is welcomed. We both just want what’s best for song.

“I think the biggest change was confidence. Positive feedback from people who’s opinions i really respect put my head in a place where I was able to really lean into myself. I hate to say validation changed me but it did…. It made me more confident in expressing my opinion and now I know what I want.”

CLIQUE: How have you seen yourself grow as a musician since you have started releasing music?

KENI: I think the biggest change was confidence. Positive feedback from people who’s opinions i really respect put my head in a place where I was able to really lean into myself. I hate to say validation changed me but it did…. It made me more confident in expressing my opinion and now I know what I want.

CLIQUE: Who is someone who you would love to collaborate with?

KENI: oh god there’s so many. I’ve been listening to a lot of Marina and the Diamonds and her song writing is something that has stuck out to me since I was 12. I would literally die to work with her. Of course Lana Del Rey would be unreal. I also have been loving nickelback (lol) and I would really love that collab too.

CLIQUE: What do you have planned in terms of your music going forward

KENI: I’m planning on releasing my debut EP this year. That’s honestly my main focus right now. I’m also thinking I might want to become a DJ. but that is still pending in my brain.

Listen to Keni’s single 'Bev Hillz' on Spotify here, and also watch the music video for it on Youtube.