Before leaving for their UK tour, the band went on hiatus and didn't release another EP for eight years, Bedroom Recordings, featuring demo tracks, peel sessions, and raw recordings from their bedroom.

Modakai released their self titled album in 2009 (produced by Rip Rowan, James McWilliams, and engineered by Paul Williams). They competed against bands from around the world and won second place in the Emergenza Battle of the Bands event in 2007. The band moved to New York City in 2006 headlining Arlene's Grocery, the Knitting Factory, and Mercury Lounge. The band toured the US following their second and third singles 'As Hard As You Like It' and 'If You'll Stay'. The band's first EP, Any Place Is Better Than Here, was premiered on BBC Radio 1 by Jo Whiley in 2005. Modakai (originally called Belafonte ) was formed in 2003 in Dallas, Texas, by Keith (lead vocals, guitar, keyboard), Joel Buchanan (drums), Daniel Rohrs (bass), and Joseph Otto (guitar, keyboard, vocals). Modakai live at The Knitting Factory in New York City in 2009 In 2021, Keith enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He enrolled at Circle in the Square Theatre School in 2013 and then eventually Atlantic Theater. As an excuse to be on as many television and movie sets as possible, to learn as much as he could, Keith worked as a background actor and as a stand-in for Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons, and Joe Mantello in Normal Heart and for Justin Timberlake in Runner Runner and the first two seasons of Gotham for Cory Michael Smith ( Ed Nygma). He was cast in his first New York theater production of 'Miss Longview Texas Drag Pagent' as the promiscuous cowboy, Wiley. He also studied with Sybil Lines ( Royal Shakespeare Company) and Jon Shear (MFA Grad Professor at Columbia University). In 2013 he enrolled in Circle in the Square Theatre School, followed by Atlantic Theater, Magnet Theater, and in 2021 enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (London). His best friend suggested he try acting and he enrolled at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

When the band went on hiatus in 2009, Keith had no backup plan in life. In 2006, the band moved to New York City. He attended the University of North Texas before touring the country with his band, Modakai. He played in rock bands while at Trinity High School and played drums in the marching band. Being in a small town, there wasn't much to do except play music and watch movies. His parent amicably divorced when Keith was five. His mother, Jacquelyn, worked in the mailroom at IBM.

His father, Dan, was a Marine and air traffic controller. Keith was born in a small ranching town in Bedford, Texas in 1982.

Stella adler studio of acting new york