Step into the soulful world of Kevin Quinn as he unveils a glimpse of his upcoming 2024 album with the release of the single “I’m Not There Yet.” With a delicately picked acoustic melody and tender strings, Kevin navigates a moment of acceptance and acute self-awareness, poignantly declaring, “I don’t know where I’m going, but I know I’m not there yet.” This track serves as a precursor to his highly anticipated album, “Real Me,” set to captivate audiences on January 19, 2024. In this collection of seven tracks, Kevin shares his most authentic self, delving into his mental health journey for the first time. The poignant blend of personal songwriting in “Real Me” showcases Kevin’s ability to strike a unique balance between growth and vulnerability, establishing him as a rising star in the music industry. Join Kevin on his introspective journey as he presents his genuine self through the power of music. Read below as we chat with Kevin about his music, his career journey and more.
Your upcoming album, Real Me, is described as opening up about your mental health journey.
Can you share more about the inspiration behind exploring such personal aspects in your
music, and how the songwriting process served as a form of therapy for you?
I think the songwriting process is a form of therapy for most artists, just because of its
cathartic and expressive nature. But I think getting a chance to explore that part of me
even further is what makes this record so special. I went through some incredibly difficult
times in the year leading up to Real Me, so it only felt fitting that this record capture the
experience. I love that the record tells that story.
“Blessed” is the first single from Real Me. Could you delve into the message behind the song,
particularly its focus on recognizing and celebrating life’s blessings? How does this track set the
tone for the overall theme of the album?
I think “Blessed” is one of the more straightforward messages of the album, and it’s just
that – recognizing and celebrating life’s blessings. But quite honestly, I think the
inspiration for that one ironically came from this mental health journey of mine where I
experienced what it was like to not feel blessed, in order for me to know when I do again.
Being in that position made me realize how important it is to recognize the blessings we
have in life, because they could disappear in a second. As for how it sets the tone for the
rest of the album, I think it keeps these impactful and otherwise difficult messages light
and accessible in the rest of the record
The tracklist for Real Me showcases a variety of titles like “Learning to Let Go” and “Rise
Above.” Can you give us a glimpse into the themes and emotions you explore in these tracks,
and how they contribute to the overall narrative of the album?
“Learning to Let Go” feels like the most mature song I’ve written thus far, because it’s
about a serious topic, despite its positive and fun sound. It’s really about life not working
out the way you’d hoped or dreamed it would, and experiencing resulting depression or
stress. Basically, the disappointing process of having to let go of hopes or dreams, but
choosing to celebrate it, rather than mope about it. “Rise Above” seems like a cry for
help at my lowest low, and in fact, I meticulously ordered the entire track list to tell a
cohesive story of my mental health journey, so that by the first song everything is going
alright, but by the middle of the record, things have sort of just, fallen apart. And then
coming out of that again, that’s essentially the arc of Real Me
Your artistic journey has evolved from acting to music, and now with your upcoming album. How
has your background, including your experience in musical theater and acting, influenced your
approach to creating music?
For me, it’s all about storytelling. Acting and music aren’t that different to me, because
they both just feel like versions of the same thing – creative storytelling, and if I can do
that in the form of a film or a song, then it doesn’t matter to me. I guess that’s just the
artist in me
Real Me merges pop and inspirational genres. How do you navigate this intersection, and what
do you hope listeners will take away from the blend of these musical styles in your work?
I don’t find myself consciously “navigating” the intersection in the writer’s room, per se.
I’m just writing the music that I want to make, which of course is pop music, but also
serves to impact the listener in a positive or life-changing way. The best music hits on a
deep level of vulnerability, and I want to be able to relate to the fans in that way
With a successful acting career and now a flourishing music career, how do you balance these
different aspects of your artistic expression? Do you find that one influences the other?
As I mentioned before, they definitely feel like the same thing for me, but involving
different “muscles” so to speak. Acting to me feels very technical, and it involves my
entire body, as that’s what’s on camera. But music feels more private, because I’m
behind a microphone, and get to just be myself, out of any sort of character. I guess I’m
able to let go a bit more and not approach music so technically like I do in acting. But
again, I love them both…they’re just different, aside from the storytelling aspect
Reflecting on your previous work, especially your EP It’s About Time, how has the reception
and impact of those projects influenced the direction and sound of Real Me?
If we are reflecting, then “It’s About Time” was a nice first step, but it’s not reflective of
my artistry now nor where I intend to take things. Regardless, the reception and impact
was really positive, and I have the fans to thank for that. They’ve been so supportive of
all my music, it’s really great. I’m excited for them to hear just how different “Real Me” is
and how I’ve matured.
Your role in Netflix’s “A Week Away” had a notable impact, particularly on the soundtrack. How
did this experience contribute to your growth as a musician, and did it shape any elements of
Real Me?
The whole “A Week Away” experience was really cool, and I came out of it both a better
actor and singer. I think as a musician, it allowed me to experiment with my sound even
further in the form of the film’s soundtrack, and it was also the first time I recorded a
project technically “in character” as someone else. So it was a unique experience. I
wouldn’t necessarily say though that A Week Away shaped Real Me. It’s an interesting
question, but Real Me very much stands alone in its own right
As you prepare to release Real Me, what message or emotions do you hope your audience will
connect with the most, and how do you envision your music resonating with listeners around the
world?
I just hope it encourages and inspires them to be the most authentic version of
themselves that they can be, and to do so unapologetically.
If you could set up a fan in a setting for them to listen to Real Me, what setting would that be?
I like that question. Alone in their room. And make sure it’s at night.
What is one quote you’ve heard in life that you’d want to ECHO out to readers?
My late grandmother used to say, and I think it applies to mental health and
self-betterment, too…“inch by inch, it’s a sinch. Yard by yard, it’s mighty hard.”
Watch the visualizer for I’m Not There Yet below.