ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – KEYSIDE
We sat down with Dan Parker, frontman of Liverpool’s rising indie band Keyside, to dive into their creative process, influences, and what’s next for the group.
From their jangly indie-pop sound to their socially conscious songwriting, Keyside is carving out their own legacy while honouring the city’s rich musical heritage. With a sold-out headline show and new music on the horizon, Dan shares what drives the band and how they’re connecting with fans through electric live performances.
Liverpool’s music history is so rich, and you’re helping shape its modern indie scene. How has the city influenced your music and approach as a band?
From the greats such as the Beatles and the La’s, it’s hard not to be influenced in some way by their legacy. Ben Cassidy (lead guitar) and I first began with an interest in the La’s, which inspired the early days of Keyside. As time has gone on, like most artists, we found our own style, which can now stand alone with it’s own unique sound and style.
Your music has been described as both festival-ready and introspective. How would you describe your sound, and has it evolved since you started?
It’s not easy to describe our music as it’s ever-evolving and developing. However, our music is often referred to as “indie-pop” with a fusion of jangly guitars. Recently, this has developed into “jangle-indie-pop,” so, I’ll take that for the moment.
“Runaway” has become quite the talking point for the band of recent. Can you tell us what inspired this track and what message you wanted to convey through it?
Like with many of our songs, we write with a social conscience. “Runaway” is about how hard it can be for young people growing up in a difficult household. It’s about breaking free from pressures and the liberating effect of discovering life, what the world is really like and who you really are. The song has taken a life of its own now and has become an anthem at our live shows.
With each of you bringing something unique to the band, how does your songwriting and creative process work? Do you have a set approach, or does it vary from song to song?
I prefer to write alone and often or not, at home or somewhere I can focus. it’s just me and an acoustic guitar. I prefer to work this way, stripping things back, and just focusing on the music with minimal distractions. Once the idea has developed, I take it to the band, and we develop the song furthermore together. It’s at this point things really start to take shape as every member of the band brings different creative ideas to the table
You’ve played some iconic venues like Liverpool’s O2 Academy and Manchester’s Albert Hall. What do live performances mean to you, and how do you translate your recorded sound to the stage?
Live performances are another means of expressing ourselves. When we play live, we transmute not only a song but also energy. When the crowd redirects that energy back to us, there’s an electric synergy you can feel.
Are there any artists or bands that have particularly influenced your music or approach? How do you blend those influences with your own style?
The greats of the past, such as The La’s and The Smiths, inspired us in the early days. Today’s modern acts, such as the Blossoms, Fontaines DC, and Wunderhorse, inspire us, too.
What’s next for Keyside? Are there any upcoming projects, tours, or releases that fans can look forward to?
We plan to release our focus single from the forthcoming second EP, “Michael (What’s Your Call)?” in late February 2025. And of no surprise, we plan to play live as much as possible, bringing our music to as many new fans as we can. Our biggest headliner at the Arts Club Theatre in Liverpool on 14 March 2025, sold out in 48 hours, so we’re planning a small UK tour to meet demand.
For more on Keyside, follow them at @keysideliverpool.
