(Nick Rainey was there too)

So what’s your name and where are you from?

Keiran: Keiran Murphy, im from Williamston Michigan

Whats up Murphy

Keiran: Whats up Jeremic, why did you want to interview me?

For my walking home zine, I want to have artist interviews every month or so

Keiran: im an artist? (Laughing)

Well thats kinda why I picked you, would you call yourself an artist?

Keiran: I don’t think I would call myself an artist.

Why not?

Keiran: Idk I feel like, I guess I make a lot of things but I don’t really share art with the world, I kinda just make stuff for myself. Idk I just don’t feel like I am.

Is it that the title of artist is something you don’t want to claim or you just actually don’t feel like that?

Keiran: I feel like when I think of an "artist" I think of someone who’s consistently posting/sharing their stuff especially if its music or something like that, or somebody painting or drawing something and sharing that.

Well with the music stuff I know you’ve been grinding the guitar lately, right?

Keiran: Yeah but I feel like I’m doing that more so because it feels like a hobby, not like I’m an “artist” or anything. I just like making it, its cool to me to make a song.

I feel like thats the core of why anyone should make anything, but that doesn’t necessarily define you right?

Keiran: Yeah and there's also a lot of people who other people would define as artists but to them maybe its not their whole thing you know, which kinda makes it more about what others think of you and not so much whether or not you place that title on yourself.

Yeah for sure. But also the fact that with the music stuff lately, you're just doing it as a hobby is honestly a big deal because you have some creative urge inside of you that you want to put out, which I would argue makes you an artist.

Nick: Yeah like you’ve (Keiran) dabbled in all kinds of music, from DJing to guitar

Keiran: Yeah “DJing” (laughing)

Nick: Thats mr turn the tables

Disc jockey zombie mode.

Nick: No I feel like, being an artist is more about how other people perceive you than you thinking you’re an artist.

Well there’s like actual politics to it in a sense, like some people make paintings that are shown in galleries and sold and thats how they make a living. Those people are artists by profession. But do you think you can still be considered an artist without those accolades? If you’re just making art for the sake of making it?

Nick: Yeah I think being an artist comes down to whether or not you’re putting stuff out into the world.

Yeah but for Keiran, like I think you’re an artist, you’re just into making stuff. You’ll get obsessed over something creative and you’ll just do it because you want to do it, and the output doesn’t matter as much to you. Idk what do you think?

Keiran: Dude idk, I feel like I’m tanking this interview (laughing)

No theres just a lot of pressure so think of something good to say.

No but for real I just want to hear your thoughts on this stuff, and if this is something you’ve even thought of that much.

Keiran: Yeah idk its not like its based off the fact that I’m not making money off of it, I just feel like I don’t have one thing that I have that would define me as an artist. The same way some kid could be making arts and crafts at home and not be considered an artist.

Well have you been enjoying learning the guitar?

Keiran: I’ve been really enjoying playing the guitar, It's like skateboarding but you don’t get hurt. Its nice, I like music.

Groundbreaking stuff man.

Keiran: I guess more of my thing is I feel like I would like to become an artist, but I don’t feel like I am one because I’ve never made anything that has made me feel like ‘If the whole world saw this, they would fuck with me’ (laughing) you know.

Yeah thats a big part of it because you gotta be proud of whatever it is you’re sharing. It takes a lot to put yourself out there like that sometimes.

Keiran: You don’t wanna be an artist until you’re not a shitty artist.

Nick: Yeah and similar to skating, like you’re learning the fundamentals right now, playing covers of other songs to learn and stuff.

You’re varial flipping in sk8 hi’s

But even that cover of ‘IMpossible’ by the heartfelt figurine you just did, you changed the genre of the song and just repurposed the lyrics, which is a very creative approach.

Do you think you’ll continue playing guitar into your old age?

Keiran: Dude yes for sure, thats like 80% of the reason why I’d rather play guitar than skateboard at this point, because I won’t be able to skateboard when I’m like 60. You go on YouTube and there’s like 90 year old dudes ripping shit on guitar, like I'd rather be him. And starting to play guitar makes you respect people who play guitar way more. I've barely been listening to rap or electronic music lately because I just wanna hear people tear up a guitar.

It’s something special, especially when you’re listening for it.

Keiran: Yeah dude I just want to keep learning for now, and not worry about the pressure of having any kind of title put on me.

That’s a great place to be, that’s the attitude more people should have in my opinion, but obviously as you progress in your career these are choices you have to make.

Keiran: Yeah and studying audio engineering has put me in a good place for sure, it’s kinda showed me that its not always all or nothing. You can have your hobbies just be your hobbies, and without the pressure I think you can make some meaningful progress creatively.