From college dropout to world traveler to commercial deep sea diver, from touring musician to socially minded entrepreneur, Billy Keane’s path has been a winding one, and one which he has experienced through the eyes of a singer songwriter of a unique kind. In early 2020, Billy found his sobriety from alcohol, ending a long lasting and destructive legacy. He has since begun a new life clarity, gratitude, and a deep and abiding appreciation for simple living.
Billy’s sound – a blending of new folk/Americana with indie rock and country – is inspired by his life, his listening, his belief that to be human means to experience the universe and our world and to reflect it all back upon itself through artistic expression. He can be found performing his resounding anthemic songs either as a solo act, or a full band setup reflective of his most recent album, Too Much to Let It Go.
In 2014, Billy co-founded the ever popular collaborative songwriter project called The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, their 2020 release “Band Together” featuring Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes and Pat Sansone of Wilco.
Keane’s new single “Wild + Free” continues on his bent of hooks and melodies that feel inexorable. The song asks us to consider the line between the humdrum everyday and leaving those expectations behind.
Explain the title of your album.
Too much to let it go, also the name of one of the tracks on the record, came from a specific life experience – that of the ending of a long term relationship. Sometimes even when we know a cycle has completed itself, when we know we need to move forward, move on, it can be an incredible challenge to do so. After writing the song, I recognized the fuller meaning behind that sentiment – sometimes we have truly gone to far to let a thing go, and we need to persevere. I suppose it takes a kind of wisdom to determine the difference between the two, and that’s something I try to keep in mind.
Does your album have an overarching theme?
I suppose there are several connected themes throughout this record, including: perseverance; forgiveness; moving forward; grace.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
The greatest piece of advice i can give would be to simply keep pushing. I find that in any creative process, there is often a moment where we’ve come partway, only to find ourselves pushed up against a block of some kind. It can feel appropriate to move on at that point, table it, go back to it later. But I encourage folks not to do that. Keep pushing! That first block can often be the most challenging, but if you can stick with it – for hours and hours if need be, often when you get to the other side, the entire piece can coalesce into it’s most complete and profound form.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
This totally depends! I start with whatever the idea happens to be. Sometimes that’s a musical idea, and sometimes that’s a lyrical idea. I’m not choosy. Either one will do, and I’m always grateful (if not surprised even!) whenever inspiration hits, in any of its various forms.
Tell us about your favorite show you’ve ever played.
Usually it’s whatever the last show it was that i played. I have a show tomorrow that has pre sold over 200 tickets, and I’ve been blessed to play many shows like that at this point – though what comes to mind right now is a tiny show I played as a trio last week, in the corner of a stone bar in the basement of an 18th century inn and pub in the Berkshire woods. There were maybe 20 people there, but man, we were in it together, and they were vibing, and we were vibing, and it felt absolutely heavenly. Ask me in a couple days though, and I may have a new favorite!
What is the best way a fan can support you?
Follow my socials and come to shows! Clearly buying albums and merch is supportive and very much appreciated – but my priority is to build a community around my music and the band, and to continue to curate and create – with the audience – experiences at our shows that keep us present and together in common appreciation and enjoyment. Follow my instagram, sign up for the newsletter, spread the word organically about the shows, and come join us! It truly is a blessing every single time I am honored to play for every single person who is gracious enough to come listen. This is it, for me – let’s join together in community. Come come come. I’ll be there, waiting for you, ready to open my heart.