Singer-Songwriter Opeongo Shares Somber Single “Ceiling Rats
Opeongo is the moniker of Keegan Trumpour and an ever-rotating cast of musicians. Keegan is from Midland, Ontario. Opeongo has released two full-length albums (2019’s Miasma and 2021’s we’ll all go with the will-o’-the-wisp); fall 2024’s Eventual Mt. Lee marks their third release, with a fourth underway in the near future.
Like everything you’ll hear on Eventual Mt. Lee, the mournful single, “Ceiling Rats,” was inspired by the passing of Keegan’s best friend, Liam Steffler; inspired, too, by the beautiful, albeit short, existence he blessed those around him with. At the time of his passing, they were living together in a basement unit on Westmount Avenue in Toronto, Ontario. There was a problem with rats or mice or rodents of some sort in the ceiling in between their unit and the folks on the main floor.
After Liam passed, Keegan was sorting through all of his stuff in the apartment, and he liked to imagine that it was his late pal’s ghost that he was hearing, rather than a bunch of rats roaming around. Not too great at humour amidst intense grief, this song is Keegan’s self-described “sad attempt” at such.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi all! Firstly, thanks to Canadian Beats for featuring this work and asking these questions. My name is Keegan Trumpour. I’m a singer-songwriter from Midland, Ontario. This latest single, “Ceiling Rats”, is off of the forthcoming LP “Eventual Mt. Lee”, out this October 7.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
These songs were largely informed by the passing of my best friend, Liam, who himself would have been 33 on the album release date. He often drummed for Opeongo and even played on a couple of songs on the first album; my one ‘rule’ for this album was that there were no drums featured, to help sort of portray his absence for anyone listening who didn’t have the privilege of knowing him. It’s a record that is filled with a lot of grief and emotion, but writing these songs helped me deal with the loss, and I hope that it can help others, too. I think there are brief moments of tremendous joy on this record, too, in celebrating one of the most brilliant and gentle souls I’ve ever known.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
There is no real formula to my writing. Often a turn of phrase or even a single word will catalyze a whole idea, and then the melody might be established thereafter. Other times the melody is established first and it’s a matter of contorting pre-established prose to fit the shape of the aforementioned melody. I think, most importantly, it’s essential to witness the world and take in everything around you, from the obviously consequential to the seemingly mundane, and to act as an antenna of sorts to preserve the moments and feelings that stem from these observations.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
No immediate plans of a tour; I’m certainly open to the prospect of a tour, and would be thrilled to hop on the wonderful Canadian festival circuit. I’ll be back in the U.K. this fall and would love to play as many shows as I can while I’m out there. They have a wonderful music culture. Music videos, vinyl production, and new merchandise are all in the works.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
Though I wish I never had to write these songs, this is the album I’m proudest of to date. It’s also the one I’m most nervous about releasing as it is vulnerable ugly and earnest. I was able to put together a really great band last December for a very special show at The Tranzac where we played “Eventual Mt. Lee” in its entirety. That was a very moving one, and a highlight of my career thus far.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Canada’s music scene is so rich and I have so many truly wonderful and talented people in my life that I know I will miss some, but here is a starting point, anyway (I apologize to anyone that I do overlook):
Ian Badger, Espanola, Bent Neck and The Joints, Ian James Bain, Carleigh Aikins, Nicolette and The Nobodies, Sister Swire, Ivan Rivers, Julianna Riolino, Little Kid, Molly Drag, Tired Kid, too many greats to mention. Thanks again!