Meet Michael Keith | Arist, Actor, and Producer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Keith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Being a young person working in the industry, balancing school, family, friends, and my own things has been pretty easy. And this is because I’ve been able to surround myself with people that know, understand, and support what I do. I’ve been told many times, to be careful who I roll with, growing up, and this has been the best advice I’ve recieved from everyone that’s told me. I never really saw or cared to look for the importance of this, but as I get older, and more things being put on my plate, my circle continues to shrink. And this has helped me focus on what I need to do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My forms of art vary. I express myself in music, dancing, and acting, but mostly through music. With a very diverse music industry, it is very hard sometimes to choose who you want to be and how you want to be seen. But for me, I choose to just be myself. I know that sounds cliché, but with the world that we live in now, with the ability to hide who you really are and trick people into thinking you’re someone you’re not, it’s very rare to find people that are just them. And purely them. I do have to admit, I as a person find myself doing things a certain way to fit in, but when it comes to my music, everything is original to me and my mind. The music that I have out on platforms, which you guys can check out by searching Michael Keith on all platforms, is music that I felt the need to create. But now that I’ve matured, continue to mature, and have gained an understanding of what I really want to do, I’m creating music that means a lot to me (coming soon), and I hope means a lot to my listeners.

I’m not famous, but I have done a couple of cool things already. And getting to where I am today wasn’t really hard. And I don’t intend for that to sound boastful, but to emphasize on what I said about surrounding yourself with the right people. With the industry I’m in, it’s so hard to find people that’ll stay with you from the begninng, all the way to the end. But because of the people I’ve surrounded myself with, I know that I’ll be able to succeed with their help, and have them see me succeed. A lot of the things I’ve ran into on the way to where I am, and to where I want to be, have been very difficult, and at times have held me back. But because I have been able to grow an amazing support system, getting past those obstacles have been easier. Having another perspective, and a second opinion on everything, allows you to see everything a lot more clear. And I’m very thankful to have these people in my life.

What do I want the world to know about me? I want them to know that I’m a person that’s doing my best to be me, and to be accepted as me. Sure I want to be famous and be known, I mean who doesn’t! But being able to be recognized for doing something I love, and for doing it the way I love to do it, is how I want to be known.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Huntington Beach, which is notorious for surfing in California. The first thing I would do, is to take them around here! First spot for sure would be the pier. Unfortunately, the Ruby’s diner that has been there for many many years, is gone, BUT the pier still gives you pretty good seats to watch the waves. There’s a lot of surfers out every day so watching them is always fun. After walking on the pier, I would take them to Duke’s, a restaurant dedicated to Duke Kahanamoku, a very famous and influential surfer from Hawaii (pretty fittiing, since we’re in surf city, ain’t it). We’d grab something to eat, and after head across the street to Pacific City. This is THE spot to hang out at in Huntington. We can do a little shopping, grab some ice cream, and maybe play some mini golf.

As much as I love Huntington, I do find myself being in a lot of other places more. Like Los Angeles! I know, I know, “Oh it’s another Southern Californian, talking about LA.” But hey, it is one of the cities of opportunity in America. There’s a lot of spots I like in LA. I actually know more spots in LA than Huntington, isn’t that crazy?! First place that comes to mind when hanging out in LA, is Melrose District. This street is one of the hottest spots for young people, influencers, people in fashion, and people that just know what’s up in LA. On this street you’ll find many shops, selling some of the hottest, latest fasion and streetwear essentials, new and used, and is where I and many other people go to get their drip. Once you’re drippin’, not drownin’, we can head on over to either Santa Monica Pier, where we can go on a roller coaster, a Ferris Wheel, or maybe play some games, or the Grove, and do more shopping and eating, and maybe catch a movie.

Staying in LA, another very cool place to go to is Universal Studios/CityWalk. Universal Studios is SO. MUCH. FUN. With many rides and attractions, you’ll go crazy trying to figure out what to do. The best thing in my opinion, is the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. I’m not going to say too much, but let’s say that it’s DEFINITELY A JOURNEY. (Fun fact, that was one of the first, I would say somewhat intense rides my mom has done in her life, and to say she loved it is an understatement.) We would definitely do the backlot tour, and check out everything that makes Universal Studios, Universal Studios. This part actually caught me off-guard. I thought we’d just drive around the lot while someone talks about it, but there are a few spots and things that you’ll see that’ll make you feel very involved. Once you’ve seen everything and gone on all the rides, we can head to CityWalk! Go grab some food, maybe shop, and if we’re lucky, catch someone performing on the CityWalk Stage!

Obviously, being in Southern California, you can’t not go to Disneyland! The happiest place on Earth. I haven’t been in a while because of covid (even though it’s back and running again, I am still a little scared), but the last time I went, was the most fun I’ve ever had. There’s not much I need to say about Disneyland. I mean come on, IT’S DISNEYLAND!

And lastly the most important thing to do, is to grab some In N Out. I know I know, very basic, very Californian. BUT, besides the other states you can get it in, which is VERY SMALL AMOUNT, this is what, in my opinion, California, and LA is all about. After anything, and I mean ANYTHING, grabbing some In N Out, is a pretty solid way to end off your day. Whether it’s after Hoco/Prom, a football game, for me after a show or studio session, or anytime of day, you can never go wrong with In N Out. My go to order there is a 4×4 Animal Style, with some Animal Fries, and Neapolitan Shake. (If you know what these are or google what they are, it’s a lot I know. BUT I’M A GROWING BOY WHAT CAN I DO!)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this to my family! Out of everyone and everything in my life, they have been the ones that have done the most iin bringing me to where I am today.

Website: https://linktr.ee/michaelkeithmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelkeithmusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelkeith04

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelkeithmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4s58pjpWCeYauL8WI7DlA

Image Credits
For the one of me in the white shirt, Joe Cobilla. For the one with the pink background, JennaG Photos. The one of me on stage with a black bomber, Kiel Mercado Ortega. And for the one of me in the gold jacket, Benny Uy.