Kesh Redefines Love and Vulnerability in New Single 'If I Beg'

KESH is back with her electrifying new single If i Beg, marking a bold step in her evolving musical journey. Blending experimental elements with structured songwriting, the track explores themes of love, vulnerability, and self-worth. For the first time, KESH unveils her scream as a powerful vocal instrument, tapping into a raw emotional depth that has become a hallmark of her artistry. With If i Beg, KESH invites listeners into a more personal and accessible sound, while still pushing the boundaries of genre and expression. In this interview, we dive into the creative process behind the track and explore how Kesh’s latest work reflects her growth as both a musician and visual artist.

Your new single, “If i Beg,” is described as an avant-garde love song that intricately weaves together themes of union and self-worth. Can you elaborate on the personal experiences or influences that inspired you to delve into these complex emotional territories? How do you believe these themes resonate with listeners today, and in what ways do you hope they engage with your music on a personal level?

With ‘If i Beg’ I wanted to continue on my current path of focused subjects that are close to my heart. My previous chapter of works explored a wider range of emotions that were tied to explorations and studies of my journey through melancholy. With this track I pulled from personal experiences and shaped it into a series of observations, realizations and reflections of moments in my life that opened my mind to the complexities of union and love. It’s quite subject specific and I think listeners could resonate with the track as it seems we have all experienced some type of heartache in some shape or form. When it comes to music engagement I leave that to the listener and those who are discovering my work. I can only hope that the song would bring some type of positive release to a listener - whether it be through dancing, movement, contemplation, revelation or just catching a lil vibe and keeping it moving it’s all love in the end.

You’ve stated that “If i Beg” showcases your scream as a powerful vocal instrument for the first time. What inspired you to incorporate this raw form of expression into the track? How do you envision this vocal choice altering the listener’s perception or emotional experience of the song, and what does it reveal about your artistic evolution?

The scream for me is an indication that I have unlocked a new level of self. I actually have been utilizing this in many of my demos and works over the years but never felt to put it fully into the world. For me the scream taps into my deeper self and allows me to access my rawest form. There is a beauty in the chaos and imperfection of it all and I think displays my most vulnerable self. Oftentimes vulnerability is associated with a softness and delicacy - but for me it is in the openness of it all. I have spent years silencing myself so for me my most vulnerable state is a guttural scream.

As both the creator of the cover art and the music, you play a crucial role in the visual representation of your work. Could you share your thoughts on how the imagery in the cover art of “If i Beg” complements and enhances the sonic themes of the track? In what ways do you believe visual art and music intersect to create a deeper narrative experience for your audience?

When I make music I see so many things visually as a track unfolds. Little elements of the cover begin to flash out to me as I am shaping and bending sounds. Though the works are created individually they really go hand in hand. I feel one strengthens the other to bring unity to the overall piece. If i Beg for me is as much the artwork as it is the song. I feel the cover is telling the story of the track before you’ve even heard of it. You see the couple linked in motion in the shape of a heart. If you look closer you can see the lyrics of the track unfold visually and everything makes sense. I feel the combination of visuals and music as one allows my audience to have additional pieces of material to work with when experiencing the work. Some people are more visual than they are connected to sonic works and vice versa. I think there is something for everyone in that sense.

Following the release of “Cried For You,” how does “If i Beg” mark a new chapter iyour evolving musical narrative? What elements of this new single do you feel encapsulate your artistic growth and experimentation? Can you highlight any specific musical influences or breakthroughs that have shaped this latest phase in your career?

For me ‘Cried For You’ and ‘If i Beg’ are clear markers of the new chapter because of their direct state. I would say the previous works definitely feel more explorative and experimental. I wanted to start with works that didn’t fit the traditional formats of music as I wanted to create sonic artworks instead of direct songs. Once I did that I felt satisfied with that expression and felt comfortable to move into this new era where I’m able to approach a more traditional structure of a song but bringing in those elements from before to evolve into this new space.

As well as making evolutions in the creativity aspect I’m also trying new things in the way that I release my works. I’m super excited to debut the work on the Audius platform for the pre-release. I’ve been looking at ways that I can connect directly with my audience and create experiences for the collectors of my work. With Audius the listener has the chance to listen to the song in a singular state before it enters the sea of streaming and have a 1 on 1 moment with it. I think trying new things like this also shows the evolution in expression and approach.

Your upcoming pop-up event at Mooncalf Gallery sounds incredibly exciting and immersive. Can you dive into what you have planned for this event? What types of interactions and installations can fans expect, and how does this kind of participatory experience enhance the way your music and visual art are received and understood?

Thank you! I’m super excited about it! I wanted to created an experience around the work that lived in the physical world as it entered the digital. I’m a big believer in co-existence and not very anti technology so I loved the idea of the 2 things existing at the same time!

The pop up consists of a series of nights where visitors can attend the ‘If i Beg’ single release party on March 15th where myself and a specially curated line up will provide a series of sets exploring experimental influences and musical offerings. At the same time attendees can see the new works that coincide with the song. There are 6 new pieces including the single cover! We also have a drawing class on March 18th and an artist talk on March 19th! The gallery will be open all week from 1-9pm daily also so people can come and visit and see the works in-between those times.

As a multidisciplinary artist, you engage with various mediums, including music, visual art, and performance. How do these different forms of expression inform and enrich each other in your creative process? Are there particular insights or ideas that arise in one medium that you find particularly inspiring or challenging when translated into another?

For me this is a state of natural expression so I don’t find it too difficult to express myself via any of these mediums. I feel it’s like taste and touch or smell and feel. It’s a natural flow. Each one is different but all a part of you. And each of those senses knows what it likes and what it doesn’t and I think that translates to how I approach the way of work and how I combine it all. I do find it a little bit harder when it comes to the completion of music. I think I have my process fully locked in when it comes to the visual side of things and my visual processing allows me to asses when something is finished. Whereas with sound it’s a little harder to tell when something is completed. There is never that a-ha moment it’s more like a state of acceptance which I am slowly coming to terms with.

Your collaborations with notable brands and artists such as Off-White and Fenty highlight your versatility and appeal. Can you reflect on how these partnerships influence your artistic direction? What criteria do you consider when deciding to collaborate, and how do you strive to maintain your unique voice while working within the framework of others’ creative visions?

I love being able to collaborate with other brands or creatives that align and make sense for me. Working with these types of companies is always exciting because everyone has their own clear vision and then it becomes a blending of worlds. My artistic identity is very strong and though ever evolving it has a consistency to it. So it’s exciting to shake things up by uniting with another creative output and birth something that marks a moment in time. It's a union and I think that it is so beautiful and holds such strength.

Looking to the future, what are your ambitions for your artistic career? Are there specific themes, collaborations, or projects you’re particularly excited to explore as you continue to innovate in both music and visual art? What legacy do you hope to leave within the artistic community and beyond?

I think my ambitions are ever changing. At this point in my career I’m coming to learn that you actually have no idea what is going to happen. You have these kinds of ideas of what you think you want and as things unfold other things are revealed that are more fitting or exciting or interesting. I think I have reached a state of surrender (or almost anyway) where I realize I am not in control and something bigger is at play. My main intention is just to do the best possible work with the resources available to me. To hold integrity and authenticity and to appreciate every aspect of the creative process as I continue on this path. All I know is that I am grateful for all that I have achieved and pray to continue on a fruitful and positive journey on what I hope to be a long life and career!

LISTEN TO IF I BEG

Interview by @mirawanderlust

Image courtesy of @goodmachinepr

Event photos by @raelyks

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KESH Redefines Love and Vulnerability in New Single 'If I Beg'