Meet Keegan Trumpour | Singer/ Songwriter, Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keegan Trumpour and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keegan, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
There’s a fine line the artist rides in the complete unknowing of the aforementioned; I think it is in these times of struggle and adversity, and willingness to give up that one can create some of their most thoughtfully impactful works. Inversely, when an artist becomes too confident and is ‘decidedly so’, a lot of the art conjured up can feel trite or contrived. Artistry seems, to me, to be a balance of walking that proverbial tight rope confidently and not falling to either side… on the left, the demons of ego and on the right, failure to be. The long and short of it is that it is my belief the artist should never give up in their pursuit of artistry, but also never find absolute contentedness that might stunt ones continual pursuit of growth and true art. The true artist may never be satisfied nor have a true answer to the question above.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a singer-songwriter who performs under the moniker ‘Opeongo’. I have released two full length LP’s at this point, with two more set for release this year. The albums released so far are entitled “Miasma” and “we’ll all go with (the-will-o’-the-wisp)” which you can check out online or on any old streaming service. The next album, set for release in the near, near future is entitled “Eventual Mt. Lee”. To date, this latest record is what I am most proud of, as I was able to transform the devastating grief of losing a dear friend into something that was able to help me through the situation, and in turn hopefully help others who are struggling with similar circumstances of loss.

It has not been easy to self-fund a career in music in this day of age. It is certainly not lucrative, it can be all consuming, and in many ways can isolate you from the realities and normalcy of the rest of the world. Though it is a constant struggle, it is has been worth it in every which way. The only way to overcome such challenges is to work as hard as you know how in pursuing what you believe in, but to also constantly push the envelope of what that art and what the belief in that art entails. My only advice to anyone pursuing a similar path is that, as soon as anything becomes more important than the art at hand (money, social life, steady-living), is simply to bare the knowledge that there are far more stable, sane, and remunerative jobs to be had out there, and that art for the artist should always be the first and foremost priority above any of the aforementioned. If you have broken the code and found a way to be an artist while fulfilling stability, sanity, and profitability, I applaud you (and please write me to let me know the secret!!!).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have a soft spot for Topanga Canyon. One of my favourite strolls, and such a nice view of so many different elements of the city. I would definitely go and pay my respects at the Elliott Smith Figure 8 wall on a perfect day, and spend a few hours at Amoeba collecting records and music knowledge.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is always a hard one, as I know I will miss a great number of people who have been equal parts loving and inspiring, but I’d be remiss first and foremost not to mention my wonderful family; all of my grandparents, one of whom gave me my love of the piano, and another of whom inspired naming these musical pursuits under the ‘Opeongo’ moniker; my parents, who have been relentless in their support and instrumental in my love and knowledge of music; my three brothers who are constantly teaching me how to live and be better.

I’d also like to thank Aaron Goldstein who has produced all of the Opeongo records with a masterful ear and a kind heart. He also happens to be one of the finest musicians I’ve had the privilege of knowing and has played all over all four of the records.

I’d like to thank my dear friend Patrick Decourcy who has lent his incredible and unique artwork to all of the Opeongo records thus far, and hopefully all of those to come.

Lastly, I’d like to thank the late, great Liam Steffler. Never been a better friend.

Website: https://opeongomusic.bandcamp.com

Instagram: @opeongomusic

Twitter: @opeongomusic

Facebook: https://facebook.com/Opeongo

Youtube: @keegantrumpour1644

Image Credits
First photo provided courtesy of Liv Sacco.
Artwork by Patrick Decourcy.
Last photo provided courtesy of Wade Muir.