BENJAMIN KEITH: News

After 8 years of performing and recording I've decided to change my life focus a bit. It's no secret that the music industry is a hard, fast and competitive industry. I can say honestly that I worked very hard, met amazingly supportive people, and had many successes, which I will tell my kids about one day. Those things aside, taking something you enjoy and making it your career is not always easiest or best choice for everyone. The world around us is in constant evolution just as we are as people.

When I started to write music I didn’t have any plans for it. I remember having my weekend mornings with a pot of coffee spitting out terrible, terrible songs! I was proud of them at the time, but what really counted was that I was happy while creating them. Somewhere along the journey of trying to make a career of playing music I lost that love and it became a chore. I think career councilors who say “take what you love to do, and just make that your job!” should also say “just remember what you truly love about that thing, and don’t compromise that for anything!” It’s easy to loose track of things especially when times get hard. Making a living playing music is harder today than ever. (in my opinion) There is infinitely more competition than ever before, all using the same tools to gain attention from an audience who’s quickly becoming less and less interested in the skill and effort it takes to create original, meaningfully art. Wow that sounded really jaded but here’s a joke I read which really sums it up nicely.

A guy calls the musician's guild to get a quote on a six piece band for a wedding. The rep says "Off the top of my head, about two thousand dollars". He says "WHAT? FOR MUSIC?. " The rep responds " I'll tell you what. Call the plumbers' union & ask for six plumbers to work from 6 to 12 o'clock on a Saturday night. Whatever they charge you, we'll work for half." "I get your point" he said.

Now enough with negative part, and on to the positive. This is not a update to say I’m quitting music all together and moving to the mountains. Not nearly! It’s part to explain some of my frustration to people, and let them know what I’ve been feeling like for the last while. It’s a big and scary thing to venture on to new things in life, but as well it can be good thing.

Most people know me only as a musician, and like an onion everyone has many layers to who they are. One thing I’ve always found to be rewarding and inspiring has been teaching, be it music, math, business or sports. Over the last 5 months I’ve had the amazing privilege to help out with the Burnaby Mountain Secondary Boys Basketball Team. Many people can see no relation between sports and music, but both require skills that must be learned, and worked on. Helping with the team opened my eyes to expanding and focusing more on teaching. What better way to keep music in my life than to share the skills I’ve attained with others.

So there it is I suppose. I’m now offering an assortment of lessons/coaching.
Be it Guitar, Vocals, or a mix of both, songwriting, or stage performance. I want to share what I know with others. Maybe you want to sing a song to your girl/boy friend as a special surprise, be able to play one song on guitar while sitting around the camp fire, get up on stage at an open mic, or improve your songwriting craft. I can help with all any and all of those things.

Well it’s finally sunny out there and I should get some vitamin D while I can. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and showing support over the years.
Cheers
BK

Its no shocker that choosing a career in the music industry is not the most stable or safe choice a person could make. Some people are fine with living a life unsure of what tomorrow will bring, and some aren’t. I have had my fair share of ups and downs over the last 8 years, and now it feels like the time has come to decide whether I want to continue tying to have music pay my bills, or have it move and be a hobby that I love.

Often I hear people giving advice “find something in life you love, and make that your career” I wish they would add “but always remember why you love to do it, and hold on to that over everything else”

When I first started writing songs in my early 20’s I didn’t start out planning on making a career of it. I remember my weekend mornings (and often afternoons) with a pot of coffee just writing songs without an agenda. A short time later I was getting pushed on to an open mic stage for the first time, and that got me my first gig. Without a lot of thought I was playing shows, and investing a lot more into my music. I’ll admit I tend to head full force in to anything I’m doing, which at times is a great thing, others not so much.

Fast-forward a few years. Throw in a bunch of life experiences, some successes, some failures, along with age 30 peaking at me around the corner, and I start to wonder whether this is the right path for me. (I know, I know 30 is still young, but it’s old enough to know every year seems to go by quicker, and that there are lots of thing to enjoy in life)

I decided to make up this 90 day music challenge to know for myself once and for all whether a full time music career is right for me or not. I’ve decided to set difficult but achievable goals that will help me in my choice. By the end I will know. If I don’t achieve the goals, then I didn’t want it enough. If I achieve them, and I still have doubts, then I’ll know as well. And if I get to the end, accomplish the goals and feel good and happy, then I’ll know in my heart it’s worth pouring the hard work and sweat into.

So here are the goals I’ve set.
-Write 30 Original Songs
-Post 30 great cover songs on Youtube (not popular hits. Songs that move me)
-Have 30 performances (open mics, and online streaming shows included)
-Write a weekly Blog (thinking Sundays)

I don’t know what kind of support I’m looking for, but any and all would be welcome. Thanks so much for reading this and showing interest in either my Art or my person.

Here I go Day 1 of 90 (end Jan 31st)
BK

Check out this great Documentary/Book which features my song "Into The Distance"
http://www.oneweekjob.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUNEUCAbvcA
Mp3 at
http://benjaminkeith.bandcamp.com/track/so-much-to-say

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EXWKrf5Gxo
Mp3 at
http://benjaminkeith.bandcamp.com/track/what-are-you-waiting-for

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNNls_PFTo0
Mp3 at
http://benjaminkeith.bandcamp.com/track/we-see-differently

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmbHw7_CG2M
Mp3 at
http://benjaminkeith.bandcamp.com/track/fear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cQDYScsz9s
Mp3 at
http://benjaminkeith.bandcamp.com/track/new-york

.......I know every band/musician must have 101 different websites. I can never remember any of the passwords, or how to get into ones that get linked to some other site with out you even knowing they exsist. I have to admit I liked it when it was only Myspace, and your own website you paid for but ofter wondered why. Any ways times change and I wanted to let you know of a new BK site to download bootleggish tracks. It's called Band Camp. http://benjaminkeith.bandcamp.com/
I plan on using to post the MP3's of my Youtube videos. Some people want those exact takes, not studio versions. Well now you can have them. I set the price as a "pay what you want" meaning if you want to throw me 100+ bucks that would probably make my year, or at least help me not worry about that months rent as much as usual.

Well there you go. I've posted two newish Videos on Youtube, and the audio on Band Camp. "New York" and "Fear"

Enjoy
BK

http://www.youtube.com/benjaminkeithmusic http://benjaminkeith.bandcamp.com/

All good things must come to an end. Today I deleted all of my bathroom series videos from Youtube, Facebook and Myspace. I realized that a good number of people have been listening to some less than impressive takes of my own music and covers. The bathroom is not the most professional background, even though it’s probably the least pretentious of all the rooms in the house to record in. Now that I have some free time on my hands I’ve decided to revamp my video collection. I’ll redo some covers, but mostly focus my originals. Thanks for your kind comments in the past and hopefully the new videos will keep them coming.

Bises
BK (in france)

So after many trips back and forth from Toronto to Vancouver this time I'm heading a bit further east....FRANCE. I'll be in Nantes to spend some time with my lady to meet her friends and family. And before you ask, Yes I'm a little nervous.
I"m bringing my Guitar along with me and hopefully will be inspired to write a few new tunes.

But before I go I decided to have one final show. It will be at Raw Canvas in Yaletown, on Thursday June 17th. They have amazing soup! So good!
Doors at 8:30pm I'll go on around 930ish. Cover will be by donation/pay what you can.

Thanks so much
BK

With today's high tech recording tools, many people feel as though we have lost the honesty in music. Inspired by boot leg recording and live tracks, I decided that I would try to capture the feel and sound of me sitting in a room playing my songs. Performed as they were written, just me and an acoustic guitar.

This series is not meant to be perfect or fancy, you will hear bumps and knocks, and imperfections. Thank you to Michael Frost for his time, patients and encouragement.

heres the link to listen or download
http://www.benjaminkeithmusic.com/music-group-75.html

If you enjoy what you hear and would like to help me to continue making music please donate. Every little bit helps out. Thanks so much
BK

Apr 4, 2010 8:00 PM
BACKSTAGE LOUNGE
1585 Johnston Street
Vancouver, British Columbia

With Honey and the Money, and Jenny Galt (604) 687-1354

For more details go to www.myspace.com/benjaminkeith

So as the City of Vancouver becomes engulfed in Olympic fever, i decided it would be a good time to take a little break from playing shows for a bit.

I've been working on some new recordings lately. Learning a lot about the recording process, my voice and what it takes to capture real feelings with just voice and guitar in one take. (Damn you Ryan Adams!) Sounds like it should be easy but its not once the record button is hit!

Plans are in the the works to make my way back out to Toronto for mid March/early April. But I'm sure I'll have a show or three before I leave.
Two at least....

Tuesday Feb 2nd @ The Backstage Lounge and Friday Feb 5th @ Caffe Divano

BK

Tell your friends, and if you wanted to give it a review....5stars?.... I wouldn't be upset.
thanks so much
BK

"Far From Home" can now be downloaded from CDbaby!

BK

Just a couple of tidbits i want to let you all know about. First off, as of last week i am no longer working a day job for some one else (this is a good thing. Don't worry Mom) Now i can really focus on my own music, and the business that goes along with being an independent artist. Right now I'm working on keeping my self as busy as possible and any sort help would much appreciated. If anyone is looking to book a house concert, or corporate event for the coming holiday season, now would be a good time to start planning.

Secondly. For the last 2 months I've been selling my EP "Far From Home" off stage by donation, and saving half of the profits to give to Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada. My goal is to get to $500 by the end of the year. I have CD Baby working on getting the tracks on to I-tunes as well, so hopefully that will help the cause.

So I've been back in Vancouver for a bit over a month now. Figure I should let people in on what’s been going on in the last 6 months.
Where to start…… Well as you might know I went out to Toronto this time to join a band named “Birds of Wales”. I played 13 or 14 shows with the boys, toured western Canada, and had an awesome trip down to SXSW is Austin, TX. But some things are just not meant to be, or at least not right now. Joining a band was more challenging than I expected, especially after years of running my own Solo career. I guess it’s safe to say that I couldn’t switch roles comfortable, from being…well the only man, to being a sideman. The boys in BOW are going to do just fine, and we will continue to be friends. We’ll just be going on different paths. And who know what the future will bring? Right?

Now the plan is to regroup and finally treat my music the way I should have been doing along time ago, like a business. A few days after leaving Toronto, I found my self back in the same day job I left, the same apartment I last lived in, and wondering what happened? Where was the forward progress? Thankfully I have a truly amazing roommate who is also a clinical counselor, which helps when you are having a freak out. We talked goals and dreams, and I figured out that I was living one of my dreams without ever realizing it. I always wanted to have my own business. Well for the last 7 years I have had my own business (Music) but I never actually said it. I swear saying it out loud has completely changed the way I think of my music, how I deal with everything from booking gigs to responding to e-mails. I would much rather be doing a lot of un-fun phone calls, forwarding my career, then to be working for someone else’s dream just to pay the bills.

Now I have made some big changes in the last six months in terms of my thinking and attitude towards life, the company I keep, and the person I want to be. I’ll be honest I really didn’t want to leave Toronto. I made some amazing friends who were so encouraging, and supportive. It was hard to leave that kind of love. I look at this time as a challenge, and a planning stage. I’ve got a lot of support here in Vancouver as well, (you thought I forgot, didn’t you? Not the case) which will help me to keep pushing on.

I’ve been booking shows and been doing my best to be playing as much as possible, so I can raise the money to push my career to the next level. Which would be to have Music be my day job. There is a lot to do, and a lot to look forward to. Which goes well with my new life motto “What are you waiting for?”

BK

So things have changed a bit for me as of late. I've moved to Toronto and have joined a band called Birds of Wales playing bass. Now before any one gets all out of sorts, I'm still going to be doing my own music.
This was a chance for me to get on the road and see some new places touring. In the 2 months I've been with the band we have played in 13 cities. Met so many great people, and had a lot of really fun times.

I've also made it a resolution to get back to writing everyday and have given my self a song a day challenge. I'm sure a few good songs will come, along with a good number of throw aways. But that's how the game is played.
Keep an eye on my acoustic myspace page for some demos of these songs.

Ben

Maybe you have picked up a free copy out there in the world. If so I hope your enjoying it, and can make it out to a show soon.

Thank you to my family and friends for all the support in making this EP happen. Lets hope some doors will open and I can pay you all back soon!

The shows just keep coming!
Mix Work, Recording and Shows Shows Shows and I've got my self the busiest summer to date. Check out the calender to see all fun, and look for my New EP to be ready later this summer.

Oh I"ve added a group and more importantly a Music Page to Facebook. So search my out if your on facebook!

ttyl
BK

With today’s high tech recording tools, many people feel as though we have lost the honesty in music. Inspired by boot leg recording and live tracks, I decided that I would try to capture the feel and sound of me sitting in a living room (or Caleb’s kitchen) playing my songs as they were written. Just Me and an Acoustic.

This series is not meant to be perfect or fancy, you will hear bumps and knocks, and imperfections. No click tracks were used, no auto tune or reverb. No headphones for that matter. Just two Microphones and the truth.

Thank you

Benjamin Keith

CD Copies will be available in limited numbers at shows or by mail.
To listen to the tracks go to www.myspace.com/benjaminkeithacoustic

So I'm home now from CMW in Toronto. Where they had the biggest snow storm in 80 years while I was there! it was not so bad but it did make it a bit hard to get to all the shows I wanted to see. Thank you to Cathleen and Ryan for having me out to there showcase. Also thanks to the fine folks at Gibson. (they let me play a beautiful J45 guitar for the show. now my guitar just doesn't feel right. Damn you Brad!)

While at the day panels I ran in to my very talented friend Peter Katz, who just signed to Curb Records. He had just booked a show in Vancouver at the Media Club (one of my favorite rooms) April 6th (my Birthday) and was looking to fill the bill.

So mark your calenders. Sunday April 6th 8pm @ The Media Club.
It's my first band Show in almost a year, and my Birthday. So now you have two reasons to come out.

and if all goes right I should also have a New Limited Edition Acoustic EP for sale that night.

BK

Check out a few of the pic's taken by Julee Wyld from our shoot this week
More to come
BK

Thank you to Mission Entertainment and Ryan McMahon for inviting me out to there show case at the Gibson Showroom on March 7th.

It is an industry only event but I have a 10 person guest list. So if you want to come out please e-mail me and let me know.
BK