An Interview With The Toronto-Based Musician KEITH MOSFET On New Music and More!

Photo Credit- Claudia Konopko

Get to know Keith Mosfet! He grew up in the Brantford & Hamilton area playing in punk bands and 60’s-esque music. He’s currently living in Toronto. Mosfet isn’t really his last name, its close though. It stands for metal oxide silicon field effect transistor. Keith studied electronic engineering and this was his nickname in school.

He recently put out the track “Superficial Hypocrite” and it effortlessly blends 60s pop, 70s folk and Britpop of the 90s. He will release another single next month and and EP in the coming months as well.

Check out Keith Mosfet Online Here:

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Learn more about Keith Mosfet in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you? 

I am sitting in my basement apartment located in the Annex, in Toronto Canada.

Now that we are more then half-way through the year, how has 2019 been treating you? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?

Well I wanted to record and release and album before the end of the year. I managed to record an entire solo album, film a couple of music videos and nearly complete another 4 song EP. Haha so productivity has been good. I hope to reach a far greater audience than I currently have.

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music was always important to me. When I was 8 my grandfather gave me a few bagpipe lessons. I then picked up the guitar around 12, never could put it down. I remember in grade 9 I was talented at drawing and painting. But made the decision to focus on guitar. I always found music as a comfort through dark times. Writing music was my light in the darkness. So it was an easy choice to make.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

Well I work full time as a Devop’s engineer and studied Electronic Engineering. I actually really enjoy complex problem solving. After work and on weekends I am nearly always working on music though. Over the years i’ve learned if I am not always pushing myself with music and with engineering ill fall into a depression cycle. So I need to constantly move forwards.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

My biggest surprise was how emotional music can make other people. I write because I have something inside of me, darkness, light. That needs to get out. I’ve played songs in bars and clubs that have made people laugh, dance, and have even caused entire crowds to break down and cry. Its sometimes so strange the translation of emotion through music can be.

Let’s talk about your newest single “Superficial Hypocrite.” What was the inspiration for this rack? What was it like making the music video for it? How creatively involved were you with the overall process of making it?

I didn’t like the people I was hanging out with and I didn’t like my own superficiality. So I just wrote a track making fun of it all. I believe comedy and music are so closely tied. At least that creative spark.

The video was fun, basically just have two girls beating me up for entertainment. Seemed like a fuck you at myself. It was supposed to be warmer the day we recorded it. But ended up being -5 out. I was freezing by the time it was all over.

Do you have plans to release more new music soon? A full collection of songs?

I will be releasing a second single Sept 13th and along and another single then album. So watch out! I also am just finishing up recording another EP.

Where can people see you perform next? Do you plan to tour at all this summer or later this year? What has been a favorite performance of yours so far?

I will be playing Indie Week in Toronto In November. Come catch me there! Haven’t been playing this year live all too often as I’ve just been recording and releasing new tracks. Trying to gain moment this way.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music? 

I’d like to think I am a bit of a monkey on a typewriter. I’ve written 10 thousand awful songs and am now writing some pretty halfway decent ones. Maybe one day ill get my Shakespeare.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? What has social media done for your career so far?

I usually just post things about myself. Traveling, selfies. The same vein shit everyone else does. I like Instagram best I suppose. I can just post something and people will usually react to it. Facebook really loves getting as much money out of you as possible. I’m not a big fan of social media and it kind of leaves you feeling empty inside. If it wasn’t a requirement with music I’d be off it entirely.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

Literally any of these > Cage the Elephant, The Growlers, Twin Peaks, Mac Demarco, The Fratellis, The Sonics, Alvvays, The Black Keys, The Strokes, Kurt Vile, The White Stripes, David Bowie, foxygen, Father John Misty, The Kinks, The Beatles,

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

Easy- SpaceX rocket ship to the moon.

What has been the coolest place/TV show/commercial that you have heard a song of yours? Where would you still love to hear a future song of yours played?

I’ve had friends call and tell me they heard an interview of me from years ago on Mohawk radio. Can’t believe they’re still playing that haha. I’d love to hear my songs literally anywhere. Put it up in a mayonnaise commercial and ill be stoked.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music? 

Don’t take life so seriously. We’re all gonna die and all you can do is try. I hope you feel something from what I am putting out there.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

Stay tuned because I’ve got a lot more coming out. I love you all and hope you treat one another with kindness.