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Brian Keenan (musician, born 1982)

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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

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]

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

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  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
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