Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Semple.
Hi Keith , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
To do this briefly would be difficult. I’ve been singing and performing professionally now for 28 years. It all started back in the bars of Northern Ireland where I would play lead guitar or drums for my uncle’s blues band. Then I started out on my own with the band “Klass” and played the bars and clubs around the British Isles until I had a big break on the hit TV show “PopStars: The Rivals.” (Think American Idol but being voted into a band instead) I ended up winning the show being the first boy voted into the band on the final night. From there, we had 2 Top 10 British singles and I was asked to perform on a huge UK tour called “Young Voices.” I performed at over 60 sold out arenas around the UK over the next 3 years and some subsequent years later too. From the 02 Arena London to the Point Theater in Dublin.
A band called 7th Heaven in Chicagoland saw these videos and asked me to join them in 2006. I moved almost immediately and rocked almost 1400 shows in 8 years with the band. I then formed my own band “SEMPLE” in 2013 and began touring the midwest. I entered NBC’s The Voice in 2015 and ended up getting all the way through to the final 20 competitors. I then had a Top 40 EP release on I tunes with the EP “Anytime Anywhere” and have been rocking all over the midwest since. We play everything from bars to clubs, weddings to private parties and lots of corporate business events. In the last 5 years I’ve had the privilege to work with the lead singer of INXS on his Team building Workshops. We perform for businesses all over the country and I have had the pleasure to work with some of the best live musicians in the country.
In 2017 I decided to form a band to perform my favourite type of music “Prog Rock.” This band is called The Cyberiam and we have released 3 full studio albums, 2 live albums, a live Blu Ray and countless singles since. Our latest singles just came out and you can find them on Spotify or Apple music. If you like bands like RUSH, TOOL, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Metallica or Megadeth, you might really dig it!! www.TheCyberiam.com
Over these many years I have performed with, or opened for, many of my heroes from a sold out Soldier Field opening for Bon Jovi, large fests with Styx, REO Speedwagon, Chicago, Poison, Hewie Lewis and more. It is safe to say I have packed a lot into my career…..
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The music industry is always a tough road to walk. You need to have a certain level of will and determination to get through. Especially when it is your livelihood and you need to support your family with it! I have worked hard to become one of the Top drawing bands in the Chicagoland area and also perform many corporate and private events. But we have had to work to build our reputation so bars and clients will take that chance on hiring us. They now know that we will not only rock and entertain their audience but will also do it professionally, on time and with respect. These things matter in the longevity of your career. The road has been bumpy but has still been on the incline in general.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The band is known for our high energy, charismatic and varied stage performances. We play all styles of popular music and flow the shows in a way that leaves all ages and music lovers happy.
I would be most proud of the fact that I have consistently tried to perform at my best every single show no matter how tired or sore my throat or body might be. I think setting this high standard for myself and the band is what sets us apart from others who tend to come and go.
The Cyberiam is my pride and joy. The prog rock that we write seems to appeal to all types of prog rock lovers from heavy Opeth and Gojira fans to lighter Pink Floyd and Marillion fans.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You can’t please everyone! I have tried to do this for years and realised only recently that you will always have haters and dissenters. So you need to pursue your dreams and tune out the noise.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://sempleband.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/keithsemple
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/sempleband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keithsempleofficial
