There will always be something special about an artist that is unafraid to put themselves out there. We all have our vulnerabilities but too many people try to hide them away underneath a facade. Not our friend Ian Keller of Orphan Prodigy. He puts his truth and full emotions out there for all of us to experience.
We caught up with the electronic-rock force to get a deeper look as he returns with his gripping new single “Deep Bass.” Enjoy the interview here:
We always like to start off with this one. What is the story behind the name Orphan Prodigy?
When I started my first band, I called it The Rejects. That name really spoke to me at the time. I felt different growing up: adopted, raised by gay parents when that wasn’t exactly the norm. Instead of resenting it, I embraced being an outlier. It became kind of like an armor.
When it came time to name this project, I wanted something that carried the same spirit but looked forward. I wanted it to be resilient, and a little triumphant. ‘Orphan Prodigy’ is about finding light in the outsider experience. I started really young and I’ve been at this a long time, and as I’ve grown as a musician and as a person, I’ve learned to celebrate every part of my story—flaws and all. The name captures that for me. It’s about turning what made me feel different into what makes me strong.
Which artists have had the biggest influence on your music and songwriting?
My top seven bands (the ones that really shaped my songwriting) are The Offspring, Nirvana, Weezer, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Primus. Rhythmically, I draw a lot from the drumming styles of Dave Grohl, Jay Lane, and Tim Alexander; their energy and creativity have always inspired me. Melodically, I probably lean closest to the Offspring and Weezer—catchy, punchy, with just the right amount of edge. While Orphan Prodigy doesn’t sound exactly like any of these bands, their influence is woven into everything I do. They’re the soundtrack to my youth and the blueprint for a lot of what I write, even if it comes out as something uniquely my own.
We covered your past single “Traitor” (read it HERE). Seems like your music is evolving. How would you put into words the sound of Orphan Prodigy now?
That’s really the beauty of Orphan Prodigy—there are no limits. When I started writing songs at 10 years old on free-trial MIDI software, I learned by experimenting, not by following a set formula. That sense of curiosity has never left. I don’t write music to fit a mold; I write from feeling and instinct, sometimes breaking the so-called ‘rules’ of songwriting on purpose. A song might not follow a predictable structure, or it might lean on just two chords, like our latest single ‘Deep Bass,’ but there’s so much happening in the layers, the storytelling, and the melodies that it never feels static or expected.
I love when music surprises you and when it takes a turn you didn’t see coming. As indie artists, I think we have a responsibility to keep things interesting and push boundaries. We’re not boxed in the way a major label artist might be, and I try to take full advantage of that freedom.
Official Music Video for “Deep Bass” by Orphan Prodigy
On that note, compared to your previous releases, where does new single “Deep Bass” sit in Orphan Prodigy’s sonic evolution?
‘Deep Bass’ is unique for me because it’s the first true collaboration I’ve done in nearly two decades of making music. Not for lack of wanting to collaborate, I’ve just always thrived in solitude. But this one came about really naturally. I was working on a MIDI arrangement, and Jeff Wise—who lived across the street from my parents—had this rap he’d been writing. It was one of those rare, serendipitous moments where he needed music and I wanted to experiment. Maybe I just slept well that night, or maybe the coffee hit different, but it all clicked.
Jeff had most of his verses mapped out; I helped fine-tune some lines and added my own verses, but I really wanted the song to wrap itself around his storytelling. I didn’t want to compromise the raw nostalgia and ache he was bringing to the table. ‘Deep Bass’ is rooted in those memories of being kids—playing manhunt outside, losing ourselves in Goldeneye all-nighters, but beneath all that, dealing with real life and first heartbreaks.
I think the song stands out because at its core, both Jeff and I are emotional storytellers. This collaboration let both our voices—and all that history—come through. It’s a song about nostalgia, first love, and the pain that lingers just beneath the surface.
Give us some backstory on how this single came together? Was it born from a beat, a lyric, or a specific moment or feeling?
‘Deep Bass’ actually started from a feeling. A sort of late-night nostalgia that hit out of nowhere. The title references that feeling of pain and depth. I was messing around with some MIDI arrangements on my laptop, just letting the music take shape without any pressure or expectations. Around the same time, Jeff Wise was working on a rap across the street. He stopped by, showed me his verses, and suddenly, it felt like our creative wavelengths just lined up. There wasn’t a grand plan or blueprint; it was more like catching lightning in a bottle. One moment we were reminiscing about growing up, and the next we were layering lyrics over my two-chord arrangement, chasing that pulse of memory and emotion that turned into the backbone of the song.
How did rapper Jeff Wise come into the fold for “Deep Bass”? In my opinion his verses are a huge piece of this song as they really highlight the emotion.
Jeff is honestly one of the best storytellers I know! He has a gift for capturing a feeling and turning it into a vivid scene. My own writing leans more into raw emotion and letting the music paint the picture, so collaborating with someone who could weave those feelings into a narrative just felt right.
We go way back. When my parents separated and one of my dads moved across the street from Jeff’s parent’s house, he came over with his jolly enthusiasm, and we instantly clicked playing with my train-set, playing N64, hanging out, and just being kids. Later, when I was in my old band, Jeff had a comedy band that was actually pretty legendary, and we’d put on house shows at each all the time!
He’s always been a part of my story, so when it came time to create ‘Deep Bass,’ it just made sense to bring him in. His verses added that extra layer of storytelling and nostalgia that the song needed.
The accompanying music video is another piece of beauty. Tell us more about that and how it came to be?
The music video for ‘Deep Bass’ was really a labor of love, shot in pieces not long after Covid. We filmed the story scenes at a theater in New York City; the dance sequences featuring Genna Durante, who collaborated on the dance itself were filmed out in Long Island City. The performance scenes with Jeff and I together were done in a studio in Astoria, Queens.
Derek Soto directed the video. He also did our first single, ‘Get Away’ and as with that one, Danielle (who’s in the band) handled a lot of the editing and post-production. Danielle and I were hanging out in Cape Cod when Derek was sending the various cuts, so all the editing decisions were done remotely. It was a real team effort, everyone just pouring themselves into it, and I think you can feel that energy in the final result. I still can’t believe how great the dancing scenes turned out to be!
For first-time listeners discovering Orphan Prodigy through this single, what do you hope it tells them about who you are as an artist?
I hope it shows that I’m not afraid to be honest, even when it means being vulnerable or a little messy. Orphan Prodigy is about being an outlier and embracing all the feelings that come with that; awkwardness, nostalgia, heartbreak, even joy. I want new listeners to hear that I’m writing from a real place, with zero interest in pretending or polishing myself to fit a mold. If you connect with the raw emotion and unconventional arrangements, then you’re exactly the kind of person I make music for. I want you to know it’s okay to be yourself, and it’s powerful to tell your story exactly as it is.
What is next on the horizon for Orphan Prodigy?
2025 was honestly a landmark year for us. “Traitor” breaking into the Top 40 on the MediaBase charts, the ongoing love for our album, Medication For A Modern World. Man, it’s been surreal, and I’m still taking it all in. When I started Orphan Prodigy, it was just me writing music as a way to survive and process what I was living through. I never expected so many people to connect with these songs on such a personal level. Every face at a show, every message—it’s genuinely humbling, and it’s what drives me to keep doing this.
For 2026, we’re stepping things up. First, we’re re-releasing Medication For A Modern World as a remastered edition, with new sonic depth and an energy that reflects everything we’ve learned since the original came out. Alongside that, we’ll be dropping a new single and a music video for the album’s title track. Revisiting the record this way has been exciting and I think people will hear and feel that growth.
We’re also taking Orphan Prodigy further overseas this year, with shows planned in Europe, South America, and possibly Asia. The idea is to bring our story directly to people who’ve connected with us from afar, and finally meet them face to face and play for them in-person.
One thing I’m really looking forward to is the launch of our Patreon community next month. For us, it’s not just about supporting the band. It’s about building a real community and giving people access to exclusive demos, unreleased tracks, live virtual hangouts, exclusive acoustic shows, merch drops, and a chance to help shape where Orphan Prodigy goes next. It allows us to stay independent and close to our vision, with no outside interference.
We’re also returning to live-streaming our gaming sessions, and I’ll be launching a new podcast where we talk about everything—mental health, creativity, music, gaming, all of it. It’s a way to keep the conversation real and open, and create a space for anyone who feels like the world doesn’t always make room for them.
And finally, we’re kicking off 2026 with a special three-set show at Austin’s Ale House in Kew Gardens, Queens on January 30th. It’s more than just another gig for us. It’s a way to celebrate everyone who’s been part of this journey, and start the year with the kind of energy and connection that got us here in the first place.
So, the short answer: 2026 is about deepening everything we’ve started, pushing ourselves further, and building something real with the people who’ve made it possible.
