Keeper delivers heart-stopping, heart-warming nostalgia in his latest single ‘He’s On The Fence’ - an anthem about being unapologetically yourself
UK alt-pop-rock artist Keeper shares his new single ‘He’s On The Fence’, a Heartstopper-inspired anthem about sexuality, self-discovery and infatuation.
The fifth instalment of the E.P ‘Cabin Fever’, ‘He’s On The Fence’, shows a different side of Keeper’s deep, rich, lyrical pool. Heavily influenced by the Netflix hit Heartstopper, ‘HOTF’ dives right into the complex topics of sexuality, self-exploration and understanding, and the sheer awkward giddiness of infatuation - presented in a warm and comforting blanket of ‘90s and ‘00s Pop Punk infused nostalgia.
One of Keeper’s most notable talents is the ability to broach almost any topic in a beautiful way - whether it’s a messy break up, an even messier breakdown, understanding and expressing your own sexuality or just hoping to find some light in the dark.
Once combined with the exceptional songwriting of Emanuel Andrade and his co-writer Jon Cass (As Everything Unfolds), you can pretty much guarantee that a new favourite song is in the works. ‘He’s On The Fence’ - a hugely personal song to Andrade - supplies the listener with the tools to understand themselves on a deeper plain.
Speaking of his inspiration, Keeper said, ‘[Heartstopper] wasn’t perfect, but it was probably the most real portrayal of self-discovery I’d ever seen on screen, (or at least, in a while). Male bi characters (queer characters in general) are so often reduced to comic relief or background dressing. [...] they rarely feel real. Heartstopper captured the rush, uncertainty, and vulnerability in a way that really stuck with me.
Elaborating on the personal effects, Keeper said, ‘Being bi isn’t something I’ve ever advertised. It’s nobody’s business but my own, and I’ve never been into turning something so personal into a promo point. That said, I’ve never hidden it either. I always figured it was pretty obvious.’
‘While my sexuality isn’t the main theme of the song, it still felt important to let it exist within the song. I wanted to bottle up the nervous energy, the uncertainty, the total awkwardness of having a crush and trying to hide it, trying to show and above all, trying not to mess it up. Something I think everyone can relate to.'
