Brian Keenan (musician, born 1982)

Brian Keenan (born August 23, 1982) is a Brooklyn-based songwriter and musician. He was born in Rochester, New York where he resided until 2005.[1]

Brian Keenan
Brian Keenan, singer songwriter
Brian Keenan, singer songwriter
Background information
Birth nameBrian Keenan
Born (1982-08-23) August 23, 1982 (age 42)
Rochester, New York
OriginBrooklyn
GenresAmericana, alt country, rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active2003–present
LabelsIndependent
Websitebriankeenan.com

He has released albums under his own name, and as frontman for the Americana band Proud Simon.[2][3][4] He played lead guitar in indie pop outfit Cricket Spin.[5] His debut solo album Today This Year was released on August 1, 2011.[6]

Today This Year was recorded at Avatar Studios in New York City.[7] The album featured a 12-piece live band, including members of The Cardinals, Chris Cubeta & the Liars Club, Ghost Gamblers and more.[1]

The album debuted on AOL's Spinner website,[8] and the video for From Scratch was featured on Paste Magazine's website.[9]

Keenan founded Proud Simon with his cousin Charlie Monte Verde in Rochester, NY. The band recorded three full-length albums: Night of Criminals, Shoestring Universe and Sometimes a Stranger.[10][11] They released three EPs: Anchors Aweigh, Victory March and Leaving.[4]

The band split in 2010 with Keenan's decision to record under his own name.[12]

Their song Burning Bridges was featured in independent film Sneakers & Soul.[13]

The main instruments used in his songs are acoustic guitar, often accompanied by organ, pedal steel, bass and drums. His influences include Ryan Adams, Townes Van Zandt, Radiohead, and Wilco.[14][15]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Last.fm, "Brian Keenan", April 9, 2012
  2. ^ Houle, Zachary (2011) "Brian Keenan: Today This Year", PopMatters, August 1, 2011, retrieved October 10, 2012
  3. ^ Last.fm, "Proud Simon", April 9, 2012
  4. ^ a b Leggett, Steve "Proud Simon Biography", Allmusic, retrieved October 10, 2012
  5. ^ Last.fm, "Cricket Spin", April 9, 2012
  6. ^ Allmusic, "Today This Year", April 9, 2012
  7. ^ Daniel Sieling, SonicScoop, "Avatar Studios Hosts Paul Simon, Moby, O.A.R. and More", April 21, 2010
  8. ^ AOL Spinner, "Today This Year", January 8, 2011
  9. ^ Peterkin, Caitlin (2011) "Video Premiere: Brian Keenan – "From Scratch"", Paste, August 11, 2011, retrieved October 10, 2012
  10. ^ Del Day, Americana UK, "Proud Simon Shoestring Universe", January 2, 2007
  11. ^ Paul Villers, Americana UK, "Proud Simon Night of Criminals", October 27, 2008
  12. ^ Ruhlmann, William "Anchors Aweigh Review", Allmusic, retrieved October 10, 2012
  13. ^ Sneakers & Soul, "Music", April 9, 2012
  14. ^ Allmusic, "Related", April 9, 2012
  15. ^ Moore, Sarah (2008) "Proud Simon: Night of Criminals", PopMatters, November 13, 2008, retrieved October 10, 2012
edit