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.
The Marvelous Toy (GIVEAWAY)
November 19th, 2009THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED !!!
You can however visit The Marvelous Toy for ordering information and you can always check out some of the other great giveaways going on here at The Post-It Place.
If you are looking for a very special gift to give a child in your life the Christmas…Here it is!
It went zip! when it moved
And bop! when it stopped
And Whirr! when it stood still.
It was The Marvelous Toy!
For nearly half a century, “The Marvelous Toy”-composed by the legendary singer/songwriter Tom Paxton-has enchanted children and adults alike. A simple tale about a mysterious, magical, and mystical toy that a father gives to his son-and that eventually gets passed down to the next generation celebrates a child’s sense of wonder. The witty, evocative lyrics spark the imagination. No surprise, then, that the song has been recorded by countless major artists, from Peter, Paul, and Mary to the Chad Mitchell Trio to John Denver, and won legions of fans through the years.
Paxton’s marvelous song has finally become a stunning picture book-oversized, wonderfully packaged, and complete with a CD offering three songs sung by Tom himself plus a music-only version of “The Marvelous Toy” to sing along with. Featuring incredible and wildly imaginative art by Steve Cox, illustrator of the award-winning Pigs Might Fly, the story is now as amazing to look at as it always has been to listen to.
This is such a great book and CD combo. It will be passed from generation to generation as children try to imagine what The Marvelous Toy could be and you will find yourself singing the song and reading the book time and time again.
To Enter: Visit the THIS site and leave me a comment telling me why you would like to win it. All entries must be received by November 30th at 5 PM EST. All entries must have a valid US mailing address. Winners 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 The Marvelous Toy, 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).
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Super Z & Super Fun Times
August 16th, 2009Super Z is a shortened version of Super Zeitgeist. What the heck is that you ask? Well, a band of course. Super Z was shortened specifically for their kids CD since their name posed a problem for kids to say. It actually means “the spirit of the times” in German. They take it as living in the moment, creating and performing.
Super Fun Times is a collection of songs that Super Z has been writing, playing and performing for the last couple of years. The lead singer has a 3 year old son and they found themselves writing all these kids songs and decided to put them together in a CD for your child’s enjoyment.
The songs are upbeat and fun for any preschooler. My favorite is “La-La-La Let’s Go”, but the kids really thought that “Plant In My Hair” was so funny.
You can preview and purchase their CD at www.cdbaby.com/superz
If you would like to follow them on Twitter they can be found at : http://twitter.com/superzeitgeist
You can also find their other songs at : www.myspace.com/zeitgeist
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!
Ballas Hough Band
March 21st, 2009
Meet the Ballas Hough Band. Anyone who’s given the hit TV series Dancing With the Stars even a cursory glance knows the names Mark Ballas and Derek Hough. I am not anyone. I have never watched Dancing With The Stars. I am not that big into TV and well, it just isn’t worth the fight to gain dominance over the remote. So, I had no idea who these people were. It is a very good CD. And if you are one of those people who LOVE Dancing with the Stars, I bet you will like it even more. My Mother for instance. She watches it religiously. The debut album of The Ballas Hough Band is in stores now. Not in the mood to run out and get it? You can always download it off of iTunes or order through Amazon.
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