Kevin Quinn Is Getting Real

Kevin Quinn is no unfamiliar face in the entertainment industry, but something about his latest project is much more different than what you may know him as. You may know him as a bubbly, happy-go-lucky actor and musician, but this latest project touches on something much deeper than his previous pop music. "Real Me" touches on his mental health journey over the last year, and we discussed how this project came about and what advice he has for his fans. 

Kevin, I know your new album came out in January. It's also the first look that people are able to take a look into your mental health journey. What was the process of creating this like for you? 

Kevin: I'm not gonna lie; I went through some difficult, difficult times. It started after I was on tour in 2022. I toured for about three months and then started showing symptoms of a mental health disorder and was no longer functional. I wasn't functioning in everyday life. I checked into a psychiatric hospital, and I got the help I needed, and that led to a time, my time in rehab, and that changed my life.

Luckily, I was able to get the help I needed, and now I'm doing the best I've ever done. I just want to say that it's proof that the treatment does work for those struggling. 

I can imagine that that allowed you to take the time to rediscover yourself. 

Kevin: Going through the process definitely allowed me to feel like I was being reborn. It was super existential and deep, but at the same time, it was very helpful. It's a taxing process and everything, too. I had a ton to write about, so when I got back to LA, I just started writing about it, and I was just sort of writing about my experiences and wanted to pay it forward with the lessons I learned. I figured if this helped me, maybe it could help someone else. I wish I could have had this album and heard it myself when I needed it. So I hope if anyone out there needs it, it will help them like it's helped me. 

I love that you did that. I think it's incredible you've been able to freely talk about it. I mean, talking to your friends about this one thing, but when you create something for fans, it's a whole other ball game. 

Kevin: It's a little scary. I had to put my trust into the people in the room whom I was writing with - the writers and producers, and being able to tell them, like, "Hey, you know, I went to rehab, and I have this disorder." And you don't know how exactly they're going to respond, but you can hope they'll be respectful. They were supportive, and I was very lucky. 

I love that. Which song did you create during this process? Are you most excited for the fans to hear? 

Kevin: Probably "Learning to Let Go." It's kind of crazy that song. Essentially, it's it's a happy pop song, and it sounds like it could be the end credits of the movie, which I love. But at the same time, it's like covering this really deep subject. During my time getting treated, I realized what I envisioned my life to be was not happening. I didn't envision having to go through this, but I had to let go and celebrate that sometimes it's not the way you hoped life would work out instead of dwelling in it. 

I can imagine your process in curating this project was longer than the previous ones. How did you narrow down to the seven tracks? 

Kevin: I just went with my gut and chose the best of the best. And you're right. There were a lot of songs. I had a lot to write about. I think it was more so, not making the album that was super dark and deep, but I wanted to also make sure I was able to get the message across by diversifying it with happy songs. A mix of ballads and uplifting songs. 

When it comes to your process, did you use the same creative process as you've done in the past? I imagine this one was a bit different. 

Kevin: It was definitely different. I think for this one, it felt more like a concept album. My last project was more so like what I was feeling that day that I wrote the song; for this, it was more of I'm going to write around this one idea, which is a chapter of my life and a moment in time, this, this mental health journey, and I'm going to write around one subject and make it more conceptual. Of course, this isn't a concept album, but the way it was written feels like a concept album. 

I think our readers would agree that being transparent and candid about mental health and an individual's journey can be difficult. What's the best piece of advice you could give our readers who could potentially be having struggles of their own? 

Kevin: Be fearless. Be fearless because I think, especially in 2023 like, people are being so open and receptive and supportive these days, and it's like a bigger topic now than it ever has been in the past, and I know for a fact that we are not alone. And I say "we" meaning like, you know, anyone who's struggling with this. Whatever you're going through, like, and if you want to label it depression, bipolar, it doesn't matter. The label is irrelevant, but the fact of the matter is that you are not alone in that experience. 

Keep up with Kevin Quinn on Instagram, Spotify, and TikTok.