A true songwriter’s songwriter, Steven Keene honed both his music style and songwriting craft in the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Greenwich Village, while playing many of New York's most legendary clubs.
Steven Keene grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and got his start playing the folk clubs and cafes of the Greenwich Village scene in the late ’80s and early ’90s, alongside contemporaries like Beck, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, and others. Heavily inspired by the songwriting of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Leonard Cohen, he began performing his earliest material at The Speakeasy, the now-closed folk club that was a singer-songwriter staple in the ’90s.
Keene played regularly at joints like Sun Mountain Cafe and The Chameleon, and for years would crisscross the streets of McDougal and Bleecker, playing well-known clubs including The Bottom Line, Lone Star Cafe, The Mercury Lounge, The Bitter End, Arlene’s Grocery, and the legendary CBGB’s.
But for Keene, it was always about the music, and never about the fame. Maybe that’s why he surrounded himself with only the best players, focused only on the music, and became obsessed with honing his craft as he gigged his way from one smoke-filled Village club to the next.
"I wish I knew now what I once knew then."
Inspired by Dylan
By the end of the 1980s, Keene had made enough of a name for himself on the folk scene that, when he was ready to release his first album, “Keene on Dylan,” he found former Bob Dylan band members Howie Wyeth and Rob Stoner (Desire/Rolling Thunder) accessible and eager to collaborate on this eclectic mix of originals, covers, and traditionals.
Playing NYC
Keene’s album “No Alternative” was released in 1995 and featured former Dylan band members Tony Garnier, John Jackson, Bucky Baxter, and the legendary musician from the ’60s Village scene, Danny Kalb. “No Alternative” saw a good deal of success and was distributed through BMG in Europe in conjunction with a European tour and a video on MTV Europe.
Taking a Stand
In 2001, Steven released “Set Clock,” which received praise in the local New York press. He was featured on Vin Scelsa’s “Idiot’s Delight” and toured extensively to promote the album. With the advent of war, Steven’s protest song, “How Much Blood’s In A Barrel,” received extensive airplay in the US and was picked up and released by ZYX Music in Europe.
Re-Emerging With Relevance
After a long hiatus, Steven has reemerged with a vengence, releasing new works that resonate deeply with contemporary issues. His albums “Them and Us” and “Woke” are collections of songs that speak loudly to the current times, featuring powerful singles like “Save Yourself,” “Them and Us,” and the Grammy consideration single “Soon.” These works showcase Keene’s ability to stay relevant and impactful, with his music continuing to address societal themes and personal introspection, ensuring his voice remains an influential and poignant presence in the folk scene.
"I'm very lucky, at this stage in my life, that I'm writing and producing more songs than I ever have ...at a faster rate. The bad news is the songs keep me up at night, and they haunt my dreams. And I'm constantly reaching for paper."
– STEVEN KEENE
The Road Ahead
He’s never been big on offering up explanations or meanings behind his songs. Everybody has their own personal take on them, so less is more when it comes to revealing his personal experience behind any given lyric or refrain. But the refreshingly peculiar aspect of Steven Keene’s distinct lyrical style has always been his poetic capacity to conjure universally relatable imagery—of love, of loss, or longing—the well-crafted art of his storytelling that lets listeners connect with and interpret songs through their own lived experiences.
Keene’s newly rising star is a sign that there are listeners out there who hunger for his straightforwardly audacious yet classic style of songwriting. But he has been in no hurry to sign with a major label or conform his sound. Instead, he has been quietly rebuilding his team to help him get his message—and his music—back out to a world that wants to hear it.
Management
Jason Spiewak of Noble Steed Music has taken the helm of Keene’s management, aiding in the release of new albums and singles that have reignited Keene’s presence in the folk scene. Spiewak, a seasoned professional in the industry, is known for his dedication to nurturing artists and leveraging innovative approaches to music promotion. His experience with a wide array of artists underscores his belief in the enduring appeal of quality music. noblesteedmusic.com
Public Relations
Ron Kadish, co-founder of Dog Ranch Music PR, now leads the PR efforts for Keene. With a history of successful campaigns for a diverse group of artists, Kadish’s expertise in crafting compelling narratives enhances Keene’s connection with his audience, ensuring his sound and message resonate far and wide. dogranchmusicpr.com
Bookings
Val Denn, from the Val Denn Agency, oversees Keene’s bookings. With a deep-rooted history in the music industry, particularly in nurturing the growth of singer-songwriters, Denn brings a wealth of experience and a personal touch to Keene’s live performances. Her agency, with a strong presence in both the U.S. and Canada, focuses on cultivating the careers of artists with a genuine passion for storytelling through music. valdenn.com
Radio Promotion
Rick Stone, a seasoned veteran in the music industry, now leads the charge in promoting Keene’s music to radio stations. With a career spanning more than three decades, including a 20-year tenure at A&M Records where he ultimately served as Senior Vice President of Radio Promotion, Stone brings a wealth of experience and industry know-how to amplify Keene’s presence on the airwaves. As an independent consultant, Stone’s expertise is set to elevate Keene’s radio presence to new heights, just as he has done for numerous successful artists such as The Police & Sting, Maroon 5, Sheryl Crow, and more recently, Renee Rapp, Megan Thee Stallion, and Steven Keene himself.
