Kentö Featured in The Knockturnal

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Photo: Kentö photographed by Love Bailey.

Kentö, the pop star we dream of

The rising artist talks dreams, music and performing at OUTLOUD

It starts with a sound. A sound that builds and grows, catching the ear of its listener. As the beat rises we hear a voice; smooth, powerful and captivating. It is this voice that has created space in music that has captured the hearts of fans everywhere, the voice that belongs to pop star Kentö. Beginning his career at the age of six, Kentö has taken unique sounds and styles to create a modern and illuminating genre of music, but where does that sound come from?

“I would describe my sound as a beatnik’s take on a blend of surf-rock and 80s electro-wave. Growing up I’ve always been drawn to Elvis, Kate Bush, Tears for Fears, Tina Turner and the Beach Boys. It sounds eclectic, but I am constantly inspired by this combination of sounds and aspire to create something timeless and unique when I make music. I think in my earlier days, I struggled to find my sound because I was comparing myself to other artists and it wasn’t until I stripped down and took it all back to my roots where I really started to have fun and create a sound that I feel is true to me.”

With his vocation launching at a young age, the transcending artist has had multiple live performances throughout his blooming career. A career that has spawned many impactful moments for his journey through the industry, however it was in high school that he truly began, allowing his school to hear his magical voice for the first time.

“This might be a cliché story that everyone has heard, but when I was in year 10 of high school. I did a school talent show during our school festival (Gakkō-sai) where I sang in front of my whole school for the first time. Nobody knew I was a singer. At first people thought I was going on to either make a joke/cause trouble and they laughed and cheered me on, but then the school went silent as I started singing and when I finished, the roar of the crowd sounded a bit different, and I realized then that they all were cheering unexpectedly with this sort of impressed pride. I think at that moment I got that validation I needed and that confirmation of, ‘Oh. This is what I want to do with my life. I want this feeling forever.’ I ended up winning that talent show.“

Photo: Kentö photographed by Love Bailey.

Kentö’s vulnerability allows him to tell stories through music, as he does in his singles “Saint-Tropez” and “Silhouette”. The same can be said in his personal life, as he shares moments and showcases an openness that connects him and shines when he’s on stage, but how does he open up with such ease?

“When you go through heavy things, you don’t really deem them as unusual, so I think for the most part, you either survive or struggle. Something in me has always chosen to survive, and not only that, but to take it a step further and live. We’re all going through something and I think we can all have some semblance of solace with that fact, and if we do, we won’t feel so alone. When I make art that is a reflection of those difficult times, I find myself trying to create a throughout to convey that message and I hope that something I do can inspire or help someone get through whatever hardships they are facing, and even if they can’t, at least I can provide some kind of temporary escape or distraction to get them from one place to the next.“

So what’s next for the dreamer, rising star and mostly importantly Artist? Well, just casually performing at one of the biggest festivals in the states. That’s right you can check Kentö live at the Outloud Music Festival in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 2nd.

Photo: Kentö photographed by Love Bailey.