Irish psychedelic indie pop outfit Keeley presents ‘Never Here Always There’ in the lead-up to their debut ‘Brave Warrior’ EP, out June 18 digitally with a physical release planned for autumn.
The ‘Brave Warrior’ EP is being released via Dimple Discs, a London-based label with deep Irish music connections, having been founded in 2018 by The Undertones’ Damian O’Neill and Brian O’Neill. Initially as a vehicle for Damian’s solo projects. It has now grown to encompass such artists as The Undertones, Cathal Coughlan (The Fatima Mansions, Microdisney), Kev Hopper, Eileen Gogan, Dragon Welding, Nick Haeffner and Baby Shakes with forthcoming archive material from Microdisney and Fatima Mansions.
Hailing from Dublin and fronted by vocalist and guitarist Keeley, the band includes Marty Canavan on keyboards, Martin Fagan on bass and Pete Duff on drums. Keeley pursues an unusual conceptual thread, conceived several years ago, focusing on German tourist Inga Maria Hauser, whose murder in Northern Ireland in 1988 remains unsolved.
‘Brave Warrior’ demonstrates the multi-faceted songwriting smarts of one of Ireland’s most talked-about emerging bands, from this upbeat lead track to more spacey, darkly-dreamy electronic offerings, drenched in drama and soaked in sadness. This 4-track collection was produced and engineered by Alan Maguire, who mixed it together with Keeley, and mastered by Anthony Chapman (Franz Ferdinand, DEVO, Cathal Coughlan, Jesus Jones, Wolfhounds).
For the past five years, frontwoman Keeley has been publishing ‘The Keeley Chronicles’, a popular blot documenting the many facets of this unique, harrowing and mystifying case, correcting the falsely published details of Inga’s life and piecing together what really happened in her final days. Working closely with Northern Irish police, senior politicians and Inga’s legal representatives in Northern Ireland in concerted efforts to advance and resolve this notorious case, she is keeping the memory of this beautiful and mysterious soul alive.
“Inga is the subject of everything I write. From the moment I first read about her exactly five years ago now, her cause became a burning obsession for me. Since that day I haven’t written a song about anyone or anything else… I consider myself a concept artist and my purpose is to give Inga a voice,” says Keeley.
Earlier, Keeley previewed lead track ‘The Glitter and the Glue’ – a blistering buffet of psychedelic rock, post-punk and the fuzzier, more frantic end of the dreampop spectrum – and the single ‘Last Words’, topping Newstalk FM’s airplay chart, getting playlisted by RTE Radio 1 and 8Radio, and attracting support from radio in multiple countries. Picked by legendary broadcaster Tom Dunne as one of his ‘Top Tracks of 2020’, it was listed at #12 in Radio Nova’s ’Top 15 Irish Songs of 2020’. Keeley also enjoyed full-page articles in the Belfast Telegraph and Derry Post, an unheard-of feat for an indie artist on their debut single.
Keeley is already recording their next LP at Darklands Audio in Dublin, where Fontaines D.C. also recorded their first album. As of June 18, ‘Brave Warrior’ will be available everywhere online, including Spotify and Bandcamp, where the lead track ‘Glitter and The Glue’ is already being offered for immediate download with any order.
TRACK LIST
1. The Glitter and the Glue (2:30)
2. Last Words (3.10)
3. Never Here Always There (2.30)
4. You Never Made It That Far (3.30)
CREDITS
Keeley – Vocals & Guitars
Alan Maguire – Keyboards & Programming
All songs written by Keeley, except ‘You Never Made It That Far’ by Keeley/Kiang
All songs published by Copyright Control
Recorded, produced & engineered by Alan Maguire in Portebello, Dublin
Mixed by Alan Maguire & Keeley
Mastering by Anthony Chapman, London
Front & rear cover artwork by Maaike van Liempt
All photography & inner sleeve artwork by Keeley
Keeley logo – Design: Gav Icon Hodgins. Idea: Keeley
Layout by Bruce Brand at Arthole, London
This record is dedicated to the memory of Inga Maria Hauser – the bravest warrior (1969-1988)
“Incredibly talented and unique… in a universe of less brilliant stars. Keeley is certainly a refreshing discovery. It’s only a matter of time before she’s conquering earbuds and capturing hearts on this side of the Atlantic” ~ Big Takeover Magazine (New York)
“Arranged around a mesmerizing movement of drifting guitars and fuzzy vocals, “Never Here Always There” offers a still-pixelated glimpse into the mysterious end of a beautiful life” ~ American Songwriter
“Takes all the best parts of British music in the 1990’s and grants it a second breath in the New Twenties” ~ Moths and Giraffes (London)
“The Glitter And The Glue is a thrilling headrush of a song, whilst its partner-in-crime ‘You Never Made It That Far’ shows a more experimental electronic side to a band whose intrigue grows the more you discover about them” ~ Even The Stars (Manchester)
“The Glitter and the Glue’ is as much of a blast from the past as it is poised to anchor many of this summer’s playlists… It’s a very rare occasion that an indelible pop song takes one on a journey into the darkness of the legal system, but this one does” ~ Global Texan Chronicles (Leipzig, Germany)
“Easily be described as dreamy and psychedelic, at times high energy and at times melancholic, but always pensive, always with a mission… Combining elements of Tamaryn, Lush, Ride, Medicine, Slowdive and Men I Trust” ~ Amplify Music Magazine (Toronto)
Keep up with Keeley
Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Press contact
Keep up with Dimple Discs
Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Discogs | Proper Music | Press contact
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email
