## From Hawkins Hero to Indie-Rock Star: Joe Keery on ‘Stranger Things,’ “End of Beginning,” and the Freedom of Independence
For a few seconds, it looked like Steve Harrington, *Stranger Things’* well-coiffed reformed bad boy played by Joe Keery, was a goner. Having just triumphed in his plan to use a radio tower in the Upside Down to poke a rift into the Abyss and defeat the Mind Flayer (one of many shark-jumping moments in the series finale), the character lost his footing and seemed headed for a gruesome splat. But Keery wasn’t worried, even at the table read for the final episode of Netflix’s cultural phenomenon.“I didn’t think anybody was going to die,” he says. “It’s a little diffrent than a *Game of Thrones* or a *Lord of the Rings* when you’re losing characters.I thought I might make it out alive.”
the scene was indeed a fake-out,with Steve’s romantic rival,Jonathan (Charlie Heaton),and his extraordinary physique catching Steve in the nick of time,teeing up the group’s final victory. The whole crew lives to tell the tale — an ending that came too easily,many critics noted after the episode aired on new year’s Eve — and,in a flash-forward 18 months later to a rooftop reunion at the radio station,Steve is the only member of his young-adult coterie still living in small-town Hawkins,a beloved baseball coach and sex-ed teacher who hopes to one day be father to “six little nuggets.” You get the feeling Steve is the kind of town mainstay whose obituary will, in several decades’ time, make the front page of the Hawkins *Post*.
But here in the real world, 33-year-old Keery is experiencing a different kind of triumph: he’s one of the most popular musicians of the moment. His song “End of Beginning,” released as an self-reliant artist under the stage name Djo in 2022, has broken global streaming records for the past two weeks, with the baroque rock tune about appreciating the past bulldozing the usual pop stars on Spotify and *Billboard’s* global charts, including a *Showgirl*-era Taylor Swift. “End of Beginning” had already experienced a resurgence in 2025, but achieving 2 billion streams isn’t simply a result of TikTok virality. (Keery remains skeptical of that Spotify achievement: “A song like ‘Back in Black,’ you can’t quantify how many barbecues as 1980 it’s been played at. It’s probably been played 10 billion times.”) Though “End of Beginning” never appeared in *stranger things*, Keery acknowledges his appearance in the final season likely drummed up interest in his music and helped the song reach a new apex of success. “It feels like it’s taken on this life of its own,” he says.“It’s being used to underscore the end of a year and the show coming to an end — the end of an era and the start of something new.”
### The Weight of an Ending and the Power of Nostalgia
The *Stranger Things* finale sparked considerable debate, with some critics finding the neat resolution too convenient. However, Keery offers a compelling perspective on the show’s ultimate message.“For me, the show isn’t about people living or dying,” he explains. “The message that’s so powerful, and the thing I think is genius about the way they wrapped it up, is that it’s about saying good-bye to your childhood and your innocence. That’s almost more sad, in a way. That’s why the end of the show hits so hard — because it’s heavy and everybody goes through that, saying good-bye and knowing it’s not coming back.”
This sentiment resonates deeply with the show’s audience,many of whom grew up alongside the characters. The ten-year run of *Stranger Things* mirrored the coming-of-age journeys of its viewers, making the finale a particularly poignant moment for a generation. As Keery notes, “That’s punctuated by the fact that it has been ten years for all of us on the show and for everybody watching. A lot of younger kids who started watching when they were, say, 10 — this is exactly that for them.”
Keery is pragmatic about the criticisms surrounding the ending. “People will take issue with whatever way you end it. I get it. There are parts of me that are like, *Oh man, it would be amazing if you killed this character.* You could make an argument for any of the characters.but it’s the brothers’ vision and we’re here to support them. But personally I feel like, *What a nice way to wrap up the show*. It worked for me.”
### the Dynamic Duo: Steve and Dustin’s Enduring Bond
One of the most beloved relationships in *Stranger things* is the unlikely friendship between Steve harrington and Dustin Henderson. Their dynamic,built on mutual respect and unwavering loyalty,provided some of the show’s most heartwarming moments. When asked about their connection, Keery reflects, “When you pair two characters that don’t have a lot in common together, they can enlighten each other in different ways. Especially in the earlier seasons, you see a lot of the contrast of who these two people are. And when you have someone in your life that forces you to grow and pushes you,you can’t help but feel a debt of gratitude to that person.”
The scene in the finale where Steve rescues Derek from the Mind Flayer and shares a quiet, emotional embrace underscores the depth of his character development. Keery clarifies, “No, not really. I’m just doing my job and standing and looking that way. No, I’m kidding. I guess it’s a testament to working with him. He’s such a great kid and in a lot of ways reminds me of Gaten Matarazzo. I think he was 14 when we were filming, lived in Chicago, and has a great family. when you’re working with younger actors, there’s something amazing about what they can do. They feel less inhibited, maybe, by the social pressures of being an adult. I was touched by his performance, so that’s what you’re seeing.”
Steve’s decision to remain in Hawkins, becoming a baseball coach and sex-ed teacher, further solidifies his role as a pillar of the community. “I think he’s just a guy who likes simple pleasures,” Keery explains. “He knows what he wants — he wants a family,peace and happiness,and to be around people he loves. I’m sure he’s ambitious, but he has his priorities straight. I would never stay in Hawkins, personally.”
### From Acting to Indie-Pop stardom: The Rise of Djo
Keery’s success extends far beyond the realm of acting. As Djo, he’s carved out a unique space in the indie-pop landscape, and “End of Beginning” has become a global phenomenon. The song’s unexpected surge in popularity is a testament to its captivating melody and relatable lyrics.The song’s success is particularly notable in the context of the modern music industry. According to Spotify,as of late 2025,only 238 songs have surpassed 2 billion streams,placing “End of Beginning” in an exclusive club. Keery acknowledges the impact of *Stranger Things* on the song’s trajectory, stating, “I’d be a fool, obviously, to say it wasn’t driven by *Stranger Things*. It definitely is. But the song had a life of its own about a year and a half ago. It was TikTok mixed with the way modern music is shared, especially with social media. And then the message, too. When it happened the first time, afterward people were like, *What did that feel like? Oh my gosh, that must’ve been crazy.* This time it feels even more that way.”
Crucially, Keery’s approach to his music career is rooted in independence. He funded his project using earnings from *Stranger Things*, allowing him creative control and ownership of his work. “I already came from a big point of privilege because I was using the money I was making working on *Stranger Things* and using that to fuel my music project,” he explains. “It afforded me the ability to be an independent artist and not have to sign to a label. The expenses and the overhead weren’t high. I was doing it at home for the most part. And then there would be maybe a couple weeks in the studio, so I paid for that time — flying people out to be in the studio. So now it’s allowed me to have the music side fueling itself. There’s a song called ‘Back on You’ on *The Crux* with a kids’ choir. That was something I always wanted to do.Being able to have an idea that’s pricey,or maybe just crazy,and using that money to fund it,or renting instruments you’ve never used — that’s the luxury. And you’re right, being independent is something I valued big time. I never wanted any money up front. That’s not what I needed. What I was really interested in is having the ownership for the longevity of the project, and it ended up working. I mean, it was working before that song really popped off. It was already self-sustaining, and it further helped me in that way.”
### Maintaining Artistic Integrity in the Age of Virality
The rapid rise of “End of Beginning” raises the question of how Keery will navigate the pressure to replicate its success. He seems unfazed by the challenge. “That’s a pretty easy temptation to resist for me as I feel like the goal is to do something different every time. I think any artist is always trying to push past into new territory or mine deeper. Nobody wants to repeat themselves because that’s not really fun — you’ve already made that. But it’s captivating to have gone through this little bump before, when I was making the last record. So now this song’s doing really well again and we’re making another record. When I was making “end of Beginning,” it was about something in my life that was compelling enough to put into song. So it’s about continuing to try to find that and put something that evokes something in me out in the world.”
As for whether the song’s meaning has shifted now that *Stranger Things* has concluded, Keery offers a thoughtful response: “It’s funny. You go through this process of getting really sick of it, and then it comes back, you get really sick of it, and then it comes back. This past year we were performing it a lot, so I had a newfound understanding of it.But no, for me, it’s really linked to that specific time in my life.I do get a little taste of that every time I hear it. But sometimes I skip it. You open the internet, you hear that song, you’re like, *I can’t listen.*”
Ultimately, Joe Keery’s journey from a beloved television actor to a celebrated musician is a testament to his talent, dedication, and commitment to artistic independence. He’s a compelling example of an artist who has successfully navigated the complexities of the entertainment industry while staying true to his creative vision. As he looks toward the future, one thing is certain: Joe Keery’s story is far from over.
