The Highs and Lows of Kean Farrar’s “Hell”

Berlin’s music scene is evolving with new talents emerging from various scenes. Exploring figures of the nightlife that the city is notorious for, we met with Berlin native R&B singer-songwriter Kean Farrar. Following the release of his new single “Hell,” which describes the highs and lows of the city’s hedonistic lifestyle, the artist opens up about his inspirations, why he describes his music to be like Gucci by Tom Ford and the influence his surrounding has on his creativity.

What inspired your new track “Hell”?

“Hell,” like the rest of my music, is inspired by my experiences with nightlife, especially in Berlin. Nightlife is not just play and party. At some point you have to go home. Every high is followed by a low. “Hell” is inspired by exactly those extremes. “Hell” is the climax and the comedown. “Hell” is waking up and doing it all over again.

Take us through your creative process.

My creative process changes all the time. I rarely sit down and actively try to write something. I feel like my best songs come to me naturally. They usually come to me at night. Most of my songs are actually written at like, 4 AM when I can’t sleep and for whatever reason feel the need to create music — most likely because that’s when I’m most vulnerable.

Putting myself in the right environment for when inspiration does hit, however, like in the studio, is important for me to do too. I wrote “Hell” on the spot while we were producing it, from start to finish. It all happened in the studio in a fairly short amount of time. Whenever inspiration hits like that, it feels like a moment of insight where everything just makes sense.

How has growing up in Berlin, which has a very different history and vibe to your Persian-American heritage influenced you? How does these cultures shape you and your music?

Maybe you wouldn’t think it, but Persians and Americans are actually quite alike. They have a lot of the same basic values. Beyond that, they both share a huge appreciation for music, though, of course, the music is very different. When I was young my mother played me all the music she listened to while growing up in the US.

My Persian side really helped me appreciate different cultures. I can observe and interact easily with the many present in Berlin. My upbringing here is what truly shaped me. Being exposed to the different scenes, the different people, as well as to the nightlife, which sometimes borders on the hedonistic, all the while a melancholic vibe lingers over the city, has shaped me as a person and the sound of my music.

You once answered in an interview that you would describe your music to be like Gucci by Tom Ford (my favourite Gucci era). Can you elaborate?

I feel like Tom Ford brought a provocative edge to Gucci. Classic, great quality clothes that exude this erotic flare. All of it is quite out there, but his influence will be felt for a long time. I find this all interesting right now. My interests and such influences are constantly evolving, though. Who knows what’s next.

R&B has evolved since the 40s and hit mainstream success in the 80s-90s. How would you describe R&B in 2022?

I feel like R&B today is tied quite strongly to Hip Hop and I think that’s reflected in most R&B artists’ sound. I think what is interesting in R&B right now is how alternative it can be. R&B has become more of a mood and vibe drawing from many genres, rather than having to work within a constrained framework of specific sounds.

Berlin has been long associated with techno – can you tell us what the R&B scene is like here?

I don’t think an R&B scene in Berlin exists. At least I have not heard of it…

How would you describe the general music scene in Berlin right now?

The dominant musical force in Germany right now definitely is German rap, with Berlin as the hub. Out of this a lot of engaged producers arise that I have found myself working with.

Are there other artists you’re inspired by?

Definitely. Too many to list. I think people can recognise the influences in my music quite clearly… at the moment, however, I’m listening to a lot of Crystal Castles, The Strokes and I’m also really into the obscured photography by Thomas Ruff.

What do you want to achieve through your music?

I don’t actually know… that’s a good question. I think I just want to create, or rather, I feel a need to create. I hope what I put out into the world resonates with people and affects them positively.

What can we expect from you in the year ahead?

You can expect a lot of new music and a bunch of other surprises.

Listen to Kean Farrar’s new single “Hell” here.

Credits: 

Talent & Model: Kean Farrar
Photographer: Luca Fuchs
Stylist: Noah Kächelin