NATIVE AMERICAN/CANADIAN MUSICIAN KEANU IENCO SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘PLAYFUL LOVE’
‘Playful Love’ follows the release of Keanu’s acclaimed 2022 debut album, Celestial Desires. The instrumental guitar piece is a moving tribute he wrote in remembrance of the family members he’s lost over the past couple of years.
“The title refers to the platonic love one feels with family or friends,” says Keanu. “The tune explores how it feels when that love is gone. While the melodies and feel of the tune take on a somber and melancholy nature at first, the piece climaxes with loud and hopeful sounds to remind the listener that those we love are never truly gone. I have recently had to say goodbye to my grandmother, brother and dog, so ‘Playful Love’ is a piece for them.”
With the unique ability to translate stories and Native American culture into dynamic guitar driven soundscapes, Keanu is an Indigenous jazz/rock artist unlike any other on the scene. During his childhood, Keanu discovered his passion for music when his mother gifted him his first guitar for his eighth birthday. At thirteen he started playing professionally and by the age of sixteen had already performed live with numerous groups and received radio airplay of his own originals.
Following the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at Vancouver Island University, Keanu has naturally grown his career and has shared the stage with industry professionals such as Steve Vai, Delfeayo Marsalis and Rufus Reid. 2020 saw the birth of Keanu’s original instrumental project under his own name. Drawing from his authentic lived experiences as a Native American, Keanu’s music transports listeners on an emotional journey that honours his heritage while still being able to pull inspiration from his instrumental heroes such as Steve Vai, Pat Metheny and Plini.
The release of his debut album Celestial Desire in 2022 garnered critical acclaim and resulted in a nomination for “Instrumental Artist of the Year” at the 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards. Keanu is currently based in both British Columbia, Canada and the Southern United Kingdom.
