Djo

Biography

Djo is the solo musical project of Joe Keery, an American actor and musician born on April 24, 1992. He is widely recognized for his role as Steve Harrington in the science fiction series Stranger Things. Keery adopted the moniker Djo to separate his musical endeavors from his acting career, allowing listeners to engage with the music on its own terms.

Musical Beginnings

Before his solo career, Keery was a member of the Chicago-based psychedelic rock band Post Animal. He played guitar and drums for the group and contributed to their early work, including their 2015 debut EP and 2018 album When I Think of You in a Castle. In 2019, he parted ways with the band to focus on his acting commitments and to avoid his fame overshadowing the band's work.

Solo Career as Djo

Keery launched his solo project, Djo, in July 2019 with the release of his debut single, "Roddy". This was followed by a second single, "Chateau (Feel Alright)," in August of the same year. His debut full-length album, Twenty Twenty, was released on September 13, 2019. The album was noted for its psychedelic rock and synth-pop sound.

Breakthrough and Recent Work

Djo's second album, Decide, was released on September 16, 2022. The album explored themes of personal growth and relationships in the digital age, incorporating more synth and electronic elements. In early 2024, the album track "End of Beginning" went viral on TikTok, leading to a massive surge in popularity. The song's success propelled it onto global music charts, earning Keery his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Following this success, Djo released his third album, The Crux, on April 4, 2025.