DaveKeener.com
Phone video of me Singing “French Girls” with my good friends Mark Humble and Paul Perry at Mark Humble’s show at Barbes last Saturday. The original cassette version of us doing this tune is on the “listen” page if you scroll down to the blue demo.
Karen Dahlstrom and I doing a disco classic at the last Deathmatch.
Friends, I have wonderful news. I have written 12 new songs, and I now enter the studio to make an album. Even more wonderful news: I am not asking you for money!
I have enlisted The Seaside Lounge and many of the finest musicians I know, including James Morris, Karen Dahlstrom, Dave Foster, Russ Alderson, Bill Wadman and Tom Keener. I have a vision in mind for the record. I would like it to be intimate, more rhythmic (I won’t say “funky” for fear of overpromising), and happier than my last record. I’ve tried to reject any well-worn teenybopper themes drummed into me from a lifetime of listening to music and write songs based on my own thoughts (surprisingly difficult), hoping listeners will hear their own stories in there somewhere as well. I think I’m going to call the record “Slugger,” or “Pack a Lunch.” The festivities start Saturday. I am excited and a little scared, which I think is the best way to be feeling at this point.
But Dave, you ask, what about Songwriter Deathmatch? I am slated to do three shows at Freddys Bar: May 18, June 8, and July 13. I have already booked lots of great people, including newcomers Rob Paravonian, Russ Alderson (on the noisy machinery), Rachel Laitman, Spencer Brill and Elin Ruth, plus returning champions Karen Dahlstrom and Mark Humble.
In other news, my dog Guinness celebrated his second birthday, which I estimate to be on or about St. Patrick’s Day, which is nice because that is a kickass birthday. Happy birthday to Guinness and all good dogs every damn day of the year!
If you want to hear the last record, “The Easy Way,” just click listen at right.
Another freaking amazing poster by Patrick Bennett. If you like Caribbean travel and culture, check out his site uncommoncaribbean.com
Ruminations on Songwriter Deathmatch and what it means to be human with me and my dog. Next show: Sat. Feb. 23, 8PM at Freddys Bar, 627 5th Ave, Brooklyn.
Next Songwriter Deathmatch, Sat. Feb. 23 at Freddys Bar!
The Do-Overs
Karen Dahlstrom and Dave Keener take a two-guitars-and-harmonies approach to 70’s pop, country & western, soundtrack surprises and their own originals. Karen recently released the acclaimed solo EP, Gem State. Dave recently released the solo CD, The Easy Way.
http://www.reverbnation.com/doovers
John S. Hall
John S. Hall is co-founder and lead vocalist of King Missile, a spoken-word-with-music group that released 9 CDs, most in the previous millennium. He has written one published book of poems, one published self-help parody, and one unpublished memoir. He is currently working on a screenplay, of course.
Julie Kathryn
Julie Kathryn’s sensual Americana noir has been favorably compared to Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Norah Jones. The singer-songwriter’s mystical “Audrey Hepburn meets Joni Mitchell” fashion sensibility enhances her music’s slowburn emotionality. Her latest EP, Broken Love, is elegiacally elegant.
http://juliekathryn.com/
Ray Brown
Ray Brown is from South Salem, New York and has been writing songs and performing since 2010. His debut album, Canyon, was released in April, 2012. The East Village Arts Quarterly describes his songs as “funny and tragic at the same time.” The New Yorker dubbed him “a solid songwriter.” Ray’s latest album Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy was released in 2012.
http://raybrown.bandcamp.com/
Christopher North
Christopher North is a Texas-born singer-songwriter who has released 12 albums with more on the way in 2013. A composer and multi-instrumentalist, he has scored five feature films and played on Broadway, Grammy-winning recordings and Mark Humble’s album, One Centre Street.
http://www.christophernorth.com/
Live version of The Tennessee Waltzy at Songwriter Deathmatch.
Live audio of “Mama Had a Bongo” from last week’s show.
With John S. Hall, The Do-Overs, Ray Brown, Julie Kathryn, Christopher North and your jovial host, Dave Keener.
Mark Humble breaks it all down for ya.
I’m about to baby New Year my shorts over the amazing lineup for our first show of 2013, with Bruce Henderson, Jeneen Terrana, Mark Humble, Dave Foster and me. Come out to Freddys, get some disco tater tots and join us for a great night of song. Bios and music links (including Bruce Henderson’s appearance on Letterman) below.
Songwriter Deathmatch. Saturday, Jan. 12, 8PM. 627 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, 11215. Free. Facebook event here.
Bruce Henderson
Bruce Henderson is a NYC-based singer-songwriter. He has released two solo albums entitled “The Wheels Roll,” and “Beyond The Pale,” and is threatening to release a third. His songs have been covered by artists including Curtis Stigers, The Hangdogs and Christine Ohlman.
Jeneen Terrana
Queens, New York based singer-songwriter, Jeneen Terrana creates pop, rock and folk music with a dash of feminine vulnerability. She is a whirlwind of powerful songs and folksy playfulness and has been touring the states and Europe.
http://jeneenterrana.bandcamp.com/album/see-the-light
Dave Foster
Like his hero, Alex Chilton, Dave is a rock and roll singer, a songwriter and lead guitarist all wrapped into one. Long-time front-man of the band Bubble, Dave is a frequent member of Loser’s Lounge and has appeared at Lincoln Center with his show Bubble Does Beatles.
Mark Humble
Village Voice Pazz & Jop nominee Mark Humble just released his second CD, One Centre Street. Melodic, moody and funny, Mark is a master craftsman who has also contributed songs and soundtracks to Scrubs, A&E’s Biography and The Smithsonian Institute.
Dave Keener (Host)
Dave Keener released the CD The Easy Way, which has received generally positive reviews and recently appeared on the New York Radio Roots & Americana chart. Dave is a member of Them Keener Boys (NY Press Best Local Comedians).
My version of The Wassail Song, a favorite of Grandma Keener’s.
The Do-Overs are playing at Freddys tonight, Fri. Dec. 14 at 8PM. Check out beautiful flyer by Rowen Frazier.
Freddys is at 5th Avenue and 17th street in Park Slope.
