Keith Galloway Jr.’s earliest lessons were in the rhythm of a church, their stepfather’s basslines, and the gentle insistence of family who saw music as more than just a hobby. The Fort Worth native began playing piano at 5 years old and, in sixth grade, adopted the moniker KindKeith during a class icebreaker, kicking off a string of homemade songs they’d never release.
“I’ve been playing this instrument all my life, but in a lot of ways, it still feels like I haven’t even scratched the surface,” says Galloway, who plays the Chronicle’s Jan. 10 Free Week showcase.
Drawn to Austin by a fascination with indie rockers White Denim, the singer-songwriter carried those rhythms into jazz studies at UT-Austin, building a technical foundation for their intimate, genre-blurring approach.
2021 debut Take What You Need fuses lush, piano-forward R&B and electronic accents, a now signature sound for the 24-year-old singer. The slow-burn collection of soundscapes layers soft synths and pulse-driven melodies alongside vivid storytelling rich with emotional depth.
“I think more than anything, I just want it to sound like what the word ‘kind’ means,” says Galloway. “I always try to make music that makes me feel happy and carefree and hopefully makes other people feel that way as well.”
Following their initial release, the vocalist turned the spotlight on their kinetic live shows with Live at the Pink Palace, a recorded set that showcased their improvisational flair. Their upcoming project On Love signals a fresh direction, leaning into neo-soul and funk textures and influences. Written and recorded with best friends and bandmates Zachary Kursman of Wizards of Loneliness and Christopher Loveland of Clunis, the record taps into the songsmith’s ardor for rocking out and playing loud.
“I think more than anything, I just want it to sound like what the word ‘kind’ means.”
KindKeith
“On Take What You Need, I always felt like I had to be serious [and] had to prove myself as an artist and musician,” shares Galloway. “On this record, I’m having a lot more fun.”
Lead single “I Wanna Buy a Home With You” swells with romantic grooves, full-bodied production, and bursts of brass. The framework for the two-toned track came to Galloway in a dream of domestic calm: the artist and their partner watching TV in a home they had bought. The soulful cut offers a glimpse into the singer’s open approach to the record, stepping away from their previous preference for privacy.
“I’ve written a lot more generic love songs, but this one feels so tied to my reality,” they share. “It represents me being less afraid to be myself, and putting that into music and sharing that with the world.”
Alongside a string of accolades including residencies at Chess Club and Hotel Vegas and being named Best Keyboardist at the 2023-2024 Austin Music Awards, Galloway remains deeply focused on building a sense of community through their work. Beyond their solo project, they also perform in jazz-fusion group Mockjaw, further cementing their presence in Austin’s vibrant music scene.
“My goal is just to express myself honestly,” they add. “I want to create more safe spaces for queer Black people like me. I feel like there’s not really a place that exists in Austin right now. That’s huge for me.”
KindKeith
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This article appears in January 9 • 2026.