Basketball was their first love, but when life threw a different ball, Keevan Miller and Kyle Savely caught it and discovered a talent in music when they formed the group Voiceflow.
Growing up, Miller, 22, played basketball for Providence High School while Savely, 23, played for Corydon High School. Both were all-stars and well accomplished in their sport, but didn’t know each other at the time, but later became roommates while attending Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
“I think we both knew that basketball would have to end somewhere. It was all we really knew,” Miller said. “It was something that we felt that we were good at and passionate about. At the same time, I never thought more of my goal than to play division one ball and then finish my degree and go on living a good life. Somewhere along the way, things took a turn.”
Miller is currently finishing up his biology degree at IUS.
Things changed within the first month of Miller’s freshman year at IPFW in 2006, when he suffered a leg injury that never healed.
“Basketball had to come to a halt, so I had to look at something else to do to spend my time. I was serious about school, so at the time I needed something to relieve stress, so that’s why we turned to music and started doing it for fun,” Miller said.
While both have musical roots with Miller growing up on piano, guitar and saxophone and Savely playing the trumpet in school, early 2007 was the first time Savely picked up rapping and for Miller it was singing.
“That’s the funny thing because I never really rapped before. Keevan never did anything big, and I never did anything big. It was kind-of like we just started doing it together, and it’s just been progressing ever since,” Savely said.
When Miller and Savely recorded “Man of Your Dreams” in 2007, they realized that they had something.
“It wasn’t the moment of knowing we were good enough, it was the moment of knowing it was within our grasp if we really work and make ourselves better we can do it,” Miller said. “Obviously, we have to sacrifice a lot of joys in life to be good at this, but at the same time I feel we can go out and get it.”
So far, dedicating up to 12 hours in their New Albany-based recording studio has been worth it for Voiceflow, and within the last eight months, they have evolved into something more serious when both moved back to New Albany. So far this year, Voiceflow has opened up for Nelly and Keith Sweat.
“I was going to school in Tennessee and finishing up my senior year, and just realizing that it wasn’t for me, as bad as that sounds skipping out on my senior year, but when your heart is somewhere else, you want to do what’s best for you,” said Savely, who was majoring in business and would return if necessary.
Savely recommends that young people interested in the music business follow their heart, but remain prudent and open to other options, just as he and Miller are.
“We are at the point where we just started this. We look at it like this, we have a business plan, but without a lot of capital in the beginning you’re not going to make big strides,” Miller said. “You have to take baby steps, and we are just trying to start in our hometown with the resources we do have, but there are a lot of opportunities.”
One opportunity that Voiceflow is exploring is the invitation to submit a CD to a recording company in Australia next month. Currently, Voiceflow is working with producer Joel Hopper, whose credits include Nappy Roots.
“Our ultimate goal is to have family and friends turn on the radio and are proud of what we do. That’s when I think it will hit home for me, but in order to do that we have to take baby steps and opportunities as they come,” Miller said.
Voiceflow’s other goal is to be a positive role model for young people.
“Instead of investing time and money into the wrong things, I think it would be awesome if we got to that point and earned the respect to really be able to influence young kids to do the right things and be more charitable,” said Miller, who would like to play benefit concerts in the future.
Voiceflow will play at Jack’s tonight, and fans can also receive a free copy of their CD by contacting them on Facebook or Myspace.
About Keevan
What’s your favorite band? “No favorite it just depends on the mood really.”
What do you do in your free time? “Work in the studio and go to class.”
What is your favorite store? “Journey’s and H & M.”
What is your favorite local restaurant? “Jackson’s Sea Food on Main Street in New Albany.”
What is your favorite travel destination? “Anywhere with white sandy beaches.”
What is your favorite movie? “Anything with Will Ferrell.”
Do you have any pets? “A West Highland White Terrier named Alvin.”
What is your favorite book? “Don’t have much time to read but make time for the Bible.”
Where is your favorite hangout? “The studio.”
Who would you like to thank for your growing success? “I think any progress that has been made so far should be attributed to our family and close friends.”
About Kyle
What’s your favorite band? “I like all kinds of music so I really can’t say I have just one.”
What do you do in your free time? “Always in the studio.”
What is your favorite store? “Journey’s, H&M;, Polo.”
What is your favorite local restaurant? “Jackson’s Sea Food on Main Street in New Albany. That place is a hidden secret.”
What is your favorite travel destination? “Charleston, South Carolina. My Dad was upset with me cause I didn’t go to school there.”
What is your favorite movie? “There’s so many movies that I love but I would have to say it’s still ‘Wedding Crashers.’”
Do you have any pets? “No pets.”
What is your favorite book? “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
Where is your favorite hangout? “Definitely the studio.”
Who would you like to thank for your growing success? “It’s hard to do anything without family and close friends, so it would have to be them.”
Clark County
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Discussion
November 26, 2009
Two former Southern Indiana high school basketball stars find success in music world
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Most area graduation rates above state average
According to a release from IDOE, Indiana’s state graduation rate came in at 85.7 percent. About 45 percent of high schools met or exceeded the 90 percent mark and 83 percent graduated 80 percent of their seniors or more.
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Most area graduation rates above state average
