Chris Keys • Broken World

I have been a fan of the music made by Chris Keys, the singer/songwriter based out of Belfast, Northern Ireland. I first came across his music online just over three years ago. I discovered his music on MySpace, back when it was the home of all things musical. I was immediately taken by his voice, that has a smokey quality I love. He also has an ability to be a storyteller, reminding me o some of the great Irish artists like Van Morrison or Damien Rice. His latest single, "Broken World", is more sonnet than tale, is a canvas covered with strokes of love, awash in honest emotion. Check out the song and the brand new video for "Broken World".

For more about Chris Keys, visit his official website. You can also find him on both Facebook and Twitter. "Broken World" is available on iTunes and Amazon.

Chris Keys • New Day EP

I have discovered that another of my favorite indie musicians, Chris Keys, has new music out. I was delighted to find New Day on iTunes, and make it a part of my music collection. First, let me reminisce a bit, to that fine day a couple of years ago when I ran across the music of a talented musician from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I was immediately charmed by the slight smoke in his voice, and such honesty in his words. I loved songs like Shooting Star and Seven Seas, and they quickly went into rotation on my iPod. I am amused that I can look back, and see that I first wrote about him on this blog more than two years ago, here and here. But that was then, and this is now. I recently downloaded his latest release, New Day, and find he still knows how to make music that charms me to the core. Take, for instance, the title cut, New Day. Listen and watch this sweet performance.



I thought that was wonderful, so sweet, so honest. The New Day EP is a six-song collection, settled with beautiful songs that tell great stories in the tradition of Irish music. And much like one of my favorite Irish singer/songwriters, Van Morrison, the final product is more than just a story, it is a wonderful journey connected to the soul. I love the ride he takes me on when he sings Shadows, a song off New Day.



Over the past few years, I heard a maturity in both Chris' voice, and his original material. The new music found on New Day just speaks to me so completely, so totally, I can't stop listening. One of my favorites is You and I.



The New Day EP is available on iTunes and Amazon. You can find out more about Chris Keys by visiting his official website here. You can also watch more live performances on his YouTube channel here.

Sunday Morning with Chris Keys

It has been a while since I mentioned Chris Keys, one of my favorite singer/songwriters from Northern Ireland. I stumbled across Chris' music on the internet, and have been hooked since. He really is one of those straight boys who need love, too! I just love the tone of his voice, with a slight rough-hewn edge to a silky smooth sound. Here he is performing New Day live at the Excel Theatre, a part of the Tipperary peace convention, perfect for a Sunday morning.



Another great song written and performed by Chris is the wonderful City Lights. It is another sweet and melodic song that is both lovely and charming, making me sure to listen to it all the way through. It is one of two songs that Chris has submitted to be a part of the Green Man Festival.



The festival awards places on the stage for the festival via a Facebook vote, and, well, Chris can explain it better than I can. I fear I will bet it very confused.



To vote for Chris, go HERE. There is just one vote per person per round, so find Chris, and give him a click. For more about the handsome Irishman, check out his official page here. There you can learn a bit more about him, as well as to hear a bunch more great music.

Free Download from Chris Keys

Irish singer/songwriter Chris Keys is hitting some of the online charts, which is a total bonus situation for fans. Chris and his latest release, City Lights, is now on NI Charts, an online service. Now, you can click on 'Download: Click Here' to get it once you click here. With each free download, it helps Chris on the chart, making it a win-win situation, since you get some cool music for free. There is no sign-up required for the download. To give you a taste, here is the song with a picture slide show.



You can find more on Chris Keys on his website here. You can also check out his MySpace here, and FaceBook here.

Christmas Music - Chris Keys

My buddy from Belfast, Chris Keys, released some videos on Youtube, including a nice cover of Let It Snow, a great holiday song from Sammy Cahn and Jules Styne.



He also does a great job with a cover of Don't Look Back In Anger, by fellow Irishmen of Oasis. Those Gallagher boys can write a great song, now if they could only get along.



To find out more about Chris Keys, you can check out his homepage here, his YouTube page here, and can listen to some more music on his Bebo page here. Like many of the artists on this blog, I just think it is important to support them so they can continue to make the music I love to hear. Subscribe to his YouTube account, and get updates when he releases more great music.

New Music - Chris Keys

Chris Keys is a singer/songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and I am crazy about his music. For starters, he is adorable. But most importantly, his music is great There is a fantastic tradition of folk/rock/pop music, brought to mind recently by the passing of Mary Travers. For me, folk artists are musical storytellers, communicating 3-minute tales that have a beginning, a middle, and an end. The songs often have a valuable lesson involved, be it social, political or personal. The artists paint the imagery both lyrically and musically, enhancing the aural experience to something much more, the best bringing in the other senses.



Chris Keys is an artist who can do that, at least for me. His voice has a smoke-tinged sound, yet maintains a purity in tone. He uses it to add another layer of percussion to the song, at varioius times driving the rhythm vocally. Yet, like many of my favorite musicians, he remains unsigned. I was lucky enough to stumble across him on MySpace, and after hearing Shooting Star, I knew I needed to buy whatever music he was putting out. So I clicked on a link, broke out the credit card, and did just that. So happy I did, because I listen to him all the time.



So I downloaded the 12 songs [I think there was 12, but I have bought others since, so it is hard to be definite] and gave them a listen. Hitman was fantastic, with a soulful rock feel and a guitar riff that reminds me of a young Edge. Seven Seas has amazing chorus, that just makes me happy when I listen. Reliving is a bouncy, uptempo song with heart, asking the immortal question, 'would you ever, ever like to dance with me?' The next song to come on was Under The Street Light, a beautiful love song that paints this romantic picture while maintaining a strong masculine edge.



Those are just the first 5 songs I listened to, so I knew I was hooked. At the moment, there is little chance I would hear him play live, so I live vicariously through YouTube, where he has posted some of his gigs in Belfast. Chris bridges the great Irish traditions of music and poetry to create some fantastic songs. To find out more about Chris Keys, you can check out his homepage here, his YouTube page here, and can listen to some more music on his Bebo page here. Like many of the artists on this blog, I just think it is important to support them so they can continue to make the music I love to hear.

Great Music - Chris Keys

I discovered Chris on the internet, first having heard his music on MySpace. I think I could just have well put him in the 'Str8 Boys Need Love Too' category, but I also think this works just as well. Chris is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is getting gigs around Belfast, and putting up YouTube videos. He is 26 years old, a singer/songwriter and rather good looking. Just about a month ago, Chris put out a new song, Stronger.



I came across him on MySpace, heard one song, and was hooked. I think he is a talented guy, writing some very nice songs and performing them well. That first song was Shooting Star, and I had to follow the trail to the site I could buy his music. After all, with all these artists, if you don't support them with a purchase, they can only keep going for so long. And I would like to think with my money, more music can keep coming.



As I said, he is playing in Belfast, and took some video. The sound is good, although the picture is a bit dark. Here he performs Seven Seas, another of my favorite songs. He has a sweetness to his tone, while maintaining a smokey edge to his voice.



To find out more about Chris Keys, go to his website here. To get some free downloads and to purchase his music, click here. If you do, you will not be disappointed.