Composer, orchestrator, director, producer, teacher… Keshet is one of those artists who refuses to be put in a box. On the occasion of the release of « The Hollow Cause », the centrepiece of a full-length musical he produced in 2024, he opens the doors of his universe with disarming honesty. A conversation with a sound architect who is far from done surprising us.
How did you start making music? What was the turning point?
Keshet: A friend got tired of hearing us play the same covers over and over again. He challenged me to write something original instead. What started as a few simple chord progressions quickly became an obsession, and from that point on I just kept writing.
What inspired you to write « The Hollow Cause »? What was the starting point?
Keshet: « The Hollow Cause » is the title song from a full-length musical I produced in 2024. Both the musical and the song explore loss, resilience, identity, and the process of rebuilding after adversity. It all began with a single lyric that stayed with me for over a year: « I’ll be stronger, as time moves forward, and then no longer will I carry this pain, at my own expense, as I rise upstream, shoreward. » At one point I even considered naming the song « Shoreward ». Then the second half of the chorus arrived: « There’s a glimmer of hope, which I’ll nurture and grow, as I find meaning in this hollow cause ». The moment I wrote that phrase, I realised it wasn’t just the title of the song. It was the perfect title for the entire musical. From there, the rest of the song was written in a single day.
How did you first meet Jemma Rix? What made you want to work with her?
Keshet: I had followed Jemma Rix‘s work in Australian musical theatre for many years. When her production of « The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale » came to Perth, I finally had the opportunity to see her perform live. I had deliberately postponed recording « The Hollow Cause » for years because I knew it required a very specific voice. The moment I heard Jemma perform, I knew I had found it.
How do you manage your addiction to music? Between being a studio musician, a composer, a band member, and performing live, how do you juggle so many projects?
Keshet: The answer is actually in the question itself. The reason I stay creatively energised is because I diversify my work. One day I might be rehearsing for a theatre production, the next arranging orchestral scores, then mixing an album, filming a music video, or teaching guitar lessons. Every day presents a different creative challenge, which keeps things fresh and prevents burnout.
What is your greatest strength as an artist? And your biggest weakness?
Keshet: My greatest strength is versatility. Over the years I’ve learned almost every role involved in bringing a project to life, from writing and arranging to recording, mixing, filming, editing, marketing, and design. It allows me to maintain a cohesive artistic vision from start to finish. My greatest weakness is probably perfectionism. I can spend hours chasing a tiny improvement that most people would never notice. Sometimes that attention to detail is valuable, but occasionally it means losing sight of the bigger picture.
One thing you can’t live without on a daily basis?
Keshet: Music, and by that I mean my music collection. The first thing I do every morning is switch on my computer and start listening. Music accompanies almost every part of my day.
A difficult question… what is your favourite instrument?
Keshet: Not a difficult question at all. Guitar. My favourite is a rare limited-edition Ibanez RG Prestige nicknamed « Chakra ». I’ve owned it for more than twenty years and it has appeared on most of my major recordings throughout that time.
What is your favourite social media platform? Why?
Keshet: Facebook. I realise that might sound old-fashioned in 2026, but I’ve always loved long-form written communication. As a songwriter and storyteller, I enjoy expressing ideas through words rather than short videos or photos. If I could only keep one platform, it would still be Facebook.
What are your goals for 2026?
Keshet: 2026 is the year I’m taking my solo artist career seriously. I’ve released music sporadically for over a decade while balancing other productions and projects. This year I have a substantial catalogue ready to go, with new releases planned roughly every two months. « The Hollow Cause » is only the beginning.
Any final words to wrap things up?
Keshet: If you think « The Hollow Cause » was ambitious, wait until you hear what’s coming next.
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