Evidence of Living David Keenan
Album info
Album-Release:
2018
HRA-Release:
01.05.2020
Album including Album cover
- 1 Evidence of Living 06:55
- 2 Two Kids 06:42
- 3 Keep the Peace, Prepare for War 05:08
- 4 Postcards from Catalonia 04:44
Info for Evidence of Living
Almost a year on from his Plec Pick accolade, David Keenan has released his third and final offering of 2018 – a year which saw him reap more success and reward than imagined. He has stirred up an excitement in so many small venues and festival tents from every corner of the country and beyond.
This EP is Keenan’s third release from 2018 alone. The ‘Strip Me Bare’ volumes were solo endeavours from earlier this year, beautifully crafted and subject to glowing reviews.
‘Evidence Of Living’ is more of a collaborative than anything he has given us before. LemonCello, Gareth Quinn Redmond and Junior Brother, among others, lend their many talents across the four tracks.
With this backing and support, Keenan takes new inspiration and relaxes in to a new depth of creativity.
The title track is one that some may be familiar with, having stumbled across Other Voices’ recording of it from Electric Picnic. Just short of seven minutes, the gentle piano, whispered imagery and mournful vocals truly speak for themselves and for “every kid whose dreams died in fifth class.”
Two Kids, released as a single with a video in December, tells a wonderfully delicate tale of growing up. A duet with Laura Quirke, it calls to memory a perfect balance akin to The Swell Season and Raising Sand.
The only track recorded in London, Keep The Peace, Prepare For War, is Keenan on his own, confessing the bliss, fragility and strain within relationships.
Two worlds collide in Postcards From Catalonia, as Keenan weaves constant connections between the old and the new through the recognisable reality and memorable idealism. Calling on his fondness for repetition at the end, he signs off ever committed to his unmistakable Irish identity.
From the monochrome bare chest and solitary side profile of the ‘Strip Me Bare’ volumes, to the warm, creative collective of this EP – ‘Evidence Of Living’ is a splash of colour in a grey-scale back catalogue.
David Keenan, vocals, guitar
David Keenan
"Not just another young lad with an acoustic guitar, Keenan is the sound of Tim Buckley and Brendan Behan arguing over a few jars, while Kavanagh deals Dylan a suspicious hand of cards, and Anthony Cronin and Jack Kerouac furiously try to scribble it all down" -Pat Carty, Hot Press Magazine.
David Keenan has built a reputation as one of Ireland's leading songwriters and live performers.
A prolific output includes two critically acclaimed albums "A Beginner's Guide to Bravery" released in 2020, reaching number 1 in the Independent Charts & the 2021 follow up "WHAT THEN?" marked Keenan's worth as an artist intent on pursuing their own path. Other works include a published collection of poetry “Soundings of an Unnamed Bird”, live album/concert film "Alchemy & Prose" (2020) and his new album “CRUDE” (2022) followed by the EP “CRUDE BOYO” (2023).
Keenan has toured consistently throughout Europe and North America with notable events including two headline nights in Dublin's Olympia theatre, the main stage of Electric Picnic, residencies in Paris and New York's Irish Arts Centres & writing the music for Evanne Kilgallon's experimental play “AN LÁR”.
The powerful and uplifting single “An Irish Song” was just released before an illuminated headline show in The National Concert Hall, Dublin.
Described by Hot Press…”There is no longer any doubt whether he’ll be able to fit the massive space– in fact, the space moulds to fit him.
It seems he’s finally found a stage big enough to hold him, though the high roof and rows of seats were bursting at the seams from the sheer power within”.
His fourth studio album is due for release in early 2024.
This album contains no booklet.