Chatting with Annie Keating

Hey Annie, how the heck are you?

Very well, thanks! 

Easy question first, where are you right now, and what are you up to today?

Enjoying the last days of summer with my kids and friends out in Shelter Island, NY. Swimming, out on the water, chilling on the dock with the dogs, it’s so beautiful. Today’s the last day of our vacation, but I’ve got studio recording time coming up the first week of September and then the tour so lots to look forward to as well!

Tell me something about you that I don’t know.

I was born six weeks premature - I could have been six feet tall! [laughs] - I’ve got a rescue dog named Scout who sleeps in my bed and I love salty peanuts, red wine and the seaside.

What can you tell me about your new single ‘Sunshine Parade’?

That song was born out of a NYC summer heatwave and heartache. It was hot enough to fry an egg on the streets of Brooklyn in August of 2021 and I just wanted to escape; my mind started playing with words. When ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Parade’ landed next to each other it sparked something, like I won’t let heat and heartache rule the day, ‘There’s no rain on this parade baby not today yeah not today.’  I heard a heavy, thick groove with Keith Richards style guitar and imagined a melody with grit and swagger, started humming it, ran home for my guitar and … that’s how ‘Sunshine Parade’ came to be.

You’ve got a tour-only EP coming out, tell me about that.

Yeah, we’re really excited about it! Not only the tour exclusive EP, but also a 24-page tour booklet hot off the press that features band pictures, song lyrics, stories behind the songs and other cool bits only available (along with the EP) directly to fans. The EP has eight new songs, three of which (like ‘Sunshine Parade’) have been released as singles but five new tracks as well. The booklet and EP both came together beautifully and we’re so happy to have them to share on tour.

And why have you chosen to only make it available at your shows? 

We wanted to have an EP of new songs and a tour booklet only available to fans at live shows because we’re honestly grateful to people who come out to live shows. These folks allow us to do what we love – without a music-loving audience there is no live show! After the pandemic I think songwriters/musicians like me are even more grateful to friends and fans who come out to support live music, because after almost two years of doing no live shows we were all aching to get back to doing what we love: performing the songs and sharing them. So I think fans deserve access to exclusive content that is not available online and for streaming. Having the booklet and EP only at our live show feels more intimate and special; it’s an intentionally in-person experience. We want to play our hearts out on the stage, then meet you after the show, talk over a drink, have the band sign the booklet if you like, share a story behind a song that inspired  … it’s about a whole live experience and interactive human connection. After the pandemic I think folks like me are hungry for that and tired of zooming and streaming in our bedrooms.

With the poor $ numbers from streaming, what’s the best way for people to support you and your music?

I love this question, thank you for it! Yes, it’s important people understand that while platforms like Spotify are easy for listening, they don’t pay artists fairly. 100,000 streams only pays $300, which is crazy when you think about it. So it’s always best to buy music and merch directly from the artist (in my case you can email to order signed hard copy album CDs, t-shirts or other merch). Bandcamp also pays musicians much more fairly so that’s a great resource/way to support music and will feature some exclusive content as well, not always available elsewhere so it’s good to subscribe to that.

Where’s the most exciting place you’ve played live?

I played a magical show on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The view looking out at the water and the audience lit up by the setting sun while we played was breathtaking; it infused the show with a powerful, magnetic energy. 

And where’s the absolute worst?

I once had to play a show for three drunk guys (it was a Monday night, terrible turn out) and that was no fun. One of the guys kept trying to talk to me while I was singing.

You headed to the UK recently, what were you looking forward to most?

To be honest, I was most looking forward to getting back together with the band (Scott Warman on bass, Joe Coombs on guitars and Jamie Dawson on drums). They are SPECTACULAR players and humans – we have an absolute blast together. I just couldn’t wait to play our hearts out every night, share new songs, meet fans and connect through the music with new people and places. 

What’s your favourite thing about touring?

Everything! Well everything except long drives in the van, loading in and out the heavy gear every night. I love travel, getting to play music with the band every night, meeting new people. Discovering new places through music and connecting with people on stage and off on tour never gets old or boring. It always inspires me.

What’s on your rider?

[laugh] Not much to be honest I always forget to put things on my rider. We’re happy if they have some beer and comfort food for us in the Green Room. 

If you could recommend one artist to listen to this week, who would it be?

John Prine, he’s the best. 

Finally, how do you take your coffee?

Strong and hot with just a touch of cream please.

To find out more about Annie you should visit her website. You can also check out what she’s up to on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.