Doug Keith-The Interview
February 9th, 2010Not sure who Doug Keith is? Come along with me to find out while I get to know Doug and hang out for a bit.
Doug Keith, an exceptional artist and performer, is set to release his new full-length, The Lucky Ones, on March 30th, 2010. The Lucky Ones, an 11-song collection on indie imprint The Village Label, vividly showcases Keith’s strengths as a guitarist and songwriter, capturing significant emotional truths in every song. His voice is soulful and smooth…like a great cuppa coffee. My personal opinion is that Doug isn’t just a musician, he is an exceptional storyteller.
The material on The Lucky Ones ranges from the acoustic starkness of “We Left Everything,” to the surging electricity of “The Lucky Ones,” to the buoyant textures of “Skip James Radio.” His simple-yet-poignant lyrics are layered over soaring instrumental arrangements that are expertly tailored to create distinct aural atmospheres. The link connecting each track is Keith’s weathered, knowing voice, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking.
Although The Lucky Ones is only his second full-length solo album, Keith is no stranger to the studio or the life of a touring musician. Music has been his passion for years, and it shows in the beauty and intimacy of his current work. Keith started his career playing bass with punk trio The Gods Hate Kansas, and went on to play with several other punk/avant-garde bands, including noted noise-rock combo Up the Empire. But Keith always worked on his own material, releasing a four-song EP and half of a split 7″ single under the name The First Person to See an Elephant. Here’s to Outliving Me, his official solo debut in January of 2009, was the first release under his own name and his introduction to international audiences. With The Lucky Ones, Keith delivers a moving batch of songs that are a worthy follow-up - and natural progression - to his stunning debut.
You can also find Doug Keith traveling around playing select US tour dates:
02/10: Pittsburgh, PA @ Howler’s Coyote
02/11: Columbus, OH @ The Treehouse
02/12: Ann Arbor, MI @ Hathaway Hideaway
02/16: Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
02/20: Louisville, KY @ Sunergos Cofee
02/22: Winston-Salem @ Wake Forest Radio in studio session
02/22: Winston-Salem @ The Garage
02/26: Greensboro, NC @ The Green Bean
02/27: Chapel Hill, NC @ The Cave
ThePost-ItPlace.com (TPIP)
Doug Keith (DK)
(TPIP)When did you know that you wanted to be a singer?
(DK)When it started, I really wanted to be a guitar player more than anything else. I started playing when I was 10 or so. I didn’t sing anything at all until I was about 15 or so. I remember being able to sing and play fairly early on, I never really struggled with that, I just didn’t really try singing until I was about 15. I really started singing when I realized there were things I wanted to sing about. It came more out of writing songs than anything else.
(TPIP) How did you come about writing your very first song?
(DK) My older brother has always been an amazing writer and when I was just starting to play guitar, he did to. He got together with his friend in middle school and wrote an entire 90 minute tape worth of songs about everything. Some of the songs were funny, some were sweet and some were just attempts to see how far out they could go. I probably listened to that tape more than he ever did. I remember realizing that you can write a song about anything you want from that tape, so I started to. I honestly don’t remember what was the first song I wrote, but I wrote about everything, skateboarding, my hometown, what my parent’s did for a living, girls, riding bikes. Pretty much everything I was doing around 14 & 15. I worked at a pizza place when I was 15 and I wrote quite a few songs on the way to and from work. I’d think of something walking home and try and figure it out when I got there. It’s kind of how it works for me now.
(TPIP) When did you first know you would record an album?
(DK) I’ve always recorded. As a kid, I went from asking for a motorcycle to asking for a 4 track for Christmas year after year. I never got either one. Recording has always been part of playing music for me. I recorded my first album when I was in high school with a band I was in at another kid’s house. I have just always recorded. I really enjoy the process.
(TPIP)Was it hard to get the gumption to take the leap into recording?
(DK) No, not really. I think like anything, you have to ease your way into it a bit. I started out recording on cassette tapes on my dad’s boom box. Then I found their reel to reel and could record two different things on two different tracks since left & right were separated. Then I learned that you could play the reel to reel tape backwards while you recorded another take and get some crazy sounds and on and on. I used to have the approach of doing things as fast as possible and not over thinking song lay out or approach. I would record something and regardless of mistakes, what have you, leave it as is because I was trying to capture a moment. With my recent solo records that way of thinking has changed to trying to capture a song which has been a great shift to make.
(TPIP) What has been your biggest obstacle as a musician/singer/songwriter?
(DK) For me it was deciding that I wasn’t going to join or start a new band, but instead focus on playing my songs with whoever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to. I’ve played in a lot of bands and I really like that, in fact I will probably do it again in the future at some point, but at the end of the day, I like playing the guitar and singing the songs I wrote however I feel like doing it.
(TPIP) What advice would you give to others that want to be a musician/singer/songwriter?
(DK) You get a lot of ‘no’ trying to be a musician. Sometimes from places you’d never expect. You get knocked down a lot. You just need to get back up and keep pushing.
(TPIP) What is your favorite song that you have written/sing and why?
(DK) That’s a tough question because each song has a story or situation behind it and it really just depends on my mood. I guess I’d have to say whichever one I’m writing at the time.
Thanks to Doug for his time, inspiration and for allowing me to get an early preview of “The Lucky Ones”! I love the album, it stays in my player 24/7 and has become my new favorite. I highly suggest that you check out Doug Keith the first opportunity that you get. The CD will be available on March 30th so be keeping an eye on his website for more details. And don’t forget that you can see him live on his tour.
Customize Your Gifts (GIVEAWAY)
November 13th, 2009THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!!!
But please check out Vista Print for their everyday low prices and to order
Are you looking for that perfect customized holiday gift to share with your loved ones? Let me tell you about Vista Print. If you have been a reader of The Post-It Place for some time you will remember that I made some Erin’s Graduation Announcements at Vista Prints and they turned out FABULOUS! Everyone that received one was amazed at the job they did and how affordable they were. I was really, really happy with the cost. But there is SOOO much you can do on Vista Prints that people don’t realize. How about a 2010 calendar filled with family photos for all those Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, etc? They will be thinking of you all year long as they treasure such a personalized gift.
Do you need some personalized cards to send out this year? Check out Vista Print huge selection. They have so many styles and designs to choose from that you will have a hard time deciding. From traditional to elegant, from business to fun and funky. Whatever your need for a holiday card, they can help without having to pay outrageous prices. And you can personalize them to suit your family or business.
Here are ours this year:
I am very proud of how they turned out.
They have many other gift ideas, too many to name them all. You can check out their Holiday section HERE and choose what fits those on your list. Perhaps it is a customized Tote Bag or a T-Shirt.
And, thanks to Vista Print…you can enter to win a couple of great products from their holiday store. There will be 2 winners.
The first winner will win:
Holiday Cards - Vistaprint allows customers to create high-quality, low-cost customer holiday cards to insure that their cards stick out among the hundreds of cards people receive each year. Vistaprint is happy to give away fifty (50) flat 4”x8”holiday cards to one lucky winner. Check out more about Vistaprint’s holiday cards at: http://www.vistaprint.com/holiday-christmas-cards.aspx?xnav=LeftItem&xnid=Holiday&dng=1345556
The second winner will receive:
Photo books/photo flip books: Photo books from Vistaprint are high-quality, full color books that allows parents to create great looking baby books that can be gifts for parents, grandparents and other family members. Vistaprint is happy to giveaway one (1) photo book or photo flip book to one lucky winner. Check out photo book options at: http://www.vistaprint.com/flip-photobooks.aspx
To Enter: Visit VistaPrint and leave me a comment telling me what you would make for someone on your list. All entries must be received by November 27th at 5 PM EST. All entries must have a valid US mailing address. Winner will be selected at random and will have 3 days to respond to the verification e-mail.
Want Extra Entries:
Blog about this contest and Vista Print customized products, with a link back to here (leave link where the post can be found).
Subscribe to The Post-It Place (either by a reader or request in your comment to be added to the e-mail list for contests and giveaways).
Place my button on your blog (leave link it can be found at).
Follow me - Jillybean01 on Twitter and Tweet this contest making sure to use the @Jillybean01 (leave ID in a comment and I will follow you back).
Follow Vista Print on Twitter and Tweet this contest (make sure to use the @Jillybean01 and @Vistaprint)
I was in no way compensated for this post, nor did I receive any product.. I just happen to really love VistaPrint! They are however offering some really great giveaways here.
Adesso Albums
November 12th, 2009
What one holiday gift is best given empty, becomes 100% unique from recipient to recipient and is great for everyone on your list from your jet-setting boss to your best friend who is about to become a daddy to your “artiste” sister-in-law to your college age nephew who thinks you aren’t cool? An Adesso Album®, that’s what!
Adesso Albums (www.adessoalbums.com) are far more than just photo albums. The albums and are a unique combination of photo album and event journal/scrapbook/guest book in one. By pairing Fuji Instax/Polaroid instant or digital photos with hand-written notes, each album becomes a unique, personalized keepsake that is made in the moment and engages everyone! So at your next you can start snapping away, inserting the photo and have attendees write about their experience at the party, or what they love about the guest(s) of honor. The possibilities are endless. Adesso Albums are fun, easy and unique. That is what makes them the perfect gift this year.
How can you gift an Adesso Album?
For a Dad or Mom-to-be as a book of baby’s firsts: new parents can slide instant or digital pictures or other items into the specially designed die-cut archival pages and write notes about milestones and memories -(e.g., baby’s first smile, steps, word, etc.) right next to the image.
As a “This is Your Life” book for someone celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary or graduation: create a very personalized gift for the guest(s) of honor by combining pictures and notes from people who were there over the years and even news stories or scrapbook type items for a personal look back.
For the nearly-weds: more than a traditional guest book, Adesso Albums are a terrific option for those soon to be brides and grooms who want a little something different for their wedding guest book. Another idea for your favorite “Bridezilla?” Make a photo history of the path leading up to the big day.
For the host or hostess with the “mostest”: take Fuji or Polaroid instant photos of guests at the event and (or let the guests take the pics), slide them into the pages of the Adesso Album and invite the guests to write a special note to the host. At the end of the party, present the host with a very personal and unique memento.
For the world-travelers: they’ll snap pictures of their travels, slide them into the Adesso Album and make (or have their new “best friends” make) entries on the journey. (The result is much better than a slide show for visiting houseguests!)
· For ANY event, really: birthday, anniversary, retirement, engagement parties; baby or bridal showers; family reunions, class reunions - there isn’t an event that can’t be documented in pictures and words quite so effortlessly and with SO much interaction!
For even more ideas on how Adesso Albums can be used and detailed instructions visit: www.adessoalbums.com You will love how personal your album turns out and it will be a treasured memory that lasts a lifetime. You can purchase a kit which includes everything that you need to make albums at your special event including cameras, film, etc ot you can purchase the ablums themselves. You can now even get “YOUR”books which are small enough to fit in your purse, backpack, etc. As I said before…the possibilities are endless…making your memories timeless.
Adesso supplied an album for review purposes, opinions are my own however. Please remember that individual results may vary.
Diane Birch
June 19th, 2009
Wow, such a mature sound for someone so young. Diane is in her mid-twenties but her raspy, soulful voice rakes through your soul. Her album “Bible Belt” will truly leave you longing for more. Born the youngest child of a traveling preacher, music became her refuge. Although she was born in Michigan, Birch’s father moved the family to places such as Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia. Her childhood became molded by many moves and many more experiences than most see in their lifetime. As a teen she returned to the U.S, where the family finally settled in Portland, Oregon. With music as her refuge she became a fabulous piano player which she plays by ear. From the opening track “Fire Escape” to the closing “Magic View” you will be spellbound by the very talented Diane Birch!
Marcus Goldhaber
June 10th, 2009
Marcus Goldhaber was born and raised in Buffalo, New York where he developed a passion for Jazz along side a 1928 Ivers and Pond upright piano that his Mother would sit him down at each night after dinner teaching him song after song. His love for music has inspired him throughout his life.
Marcus is a New York-based singer/songwriter, jazz vocalist, and special event performer. Known in the music world for his intimate approach to straight-ahead jazz, his debut CD, “The Moment After,” (2006) received noteworthy praise from jazz and mainstream press alike, including international radio play.
As of November 25th, 2008, Marcus has released his follow-up album, “Take Me Anywhere,” which introduces Marcus for the first time as a songwriter, incorporating 7 original tracks (co-written with pianist, Jon Davis), album alongside 10 new interpretations of traditional jazz standards.
“Take Me” is the title track off of his new album that is a love story inspired by his grandparents. Simply Wonderful!His music is smooth and soulful. He is a Crooner to be ranked up there with the likes of Frank Sinatra. Check Marcus out, he will inspire you with a mix of yesterday and today. And that smile…well, it just goes straight to your heart.
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