Simone Keane
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Sassy, soulful grooves with wistful undertones. Exquisite vocals. Special...
West Australian Music Industry (WAMI) 2009 finalist for her tune 'A Wise Man' - jazz category - song of the year. Click on 'samples' for a free download of the track.
' A gift from god.' Jon Doust, author
'...accentuated by smooth and sultry vocals...her sound and tone is characterized by its storytelling intent. She weaves a wonderful tale and takes you on a journey...raised from the depths of Simone’s soul like ambient spirits rising from heart of nature itself.' (Tony Norment, Jazz Massala)
Soul stirring ballads with a jazzy, bluesy edge, sass, intensity and a little bit of wickedness. Each of Keane's songs bring with it a certain style, depending on what the song is about. 'For me, song lyrics are best expressed in a certain style whether that be jazzy, bluesy, folky, funky or whatever - maybe a fusion of styles. I don't plan to create a song in a particular style. It just feels the way it feels when it comes to me and the way I'm feeling at the time also affects it." Each of my tunes unravels naturally. Nothing is planned".
There is incredible dimension, depth and emotion in Keane's voice. It is not uncommon for audience members to be moved either to tears or laughter. "I've been told I have the ability to dramatise a song rather than just sing it. But this happens subconsciously. I live through the story in the song". Keane has been compared to performers including Eva Cassidy and Rickie Lee Jones with old world flavours of jazz blues divas Billy Holiday and Peggy Lee.
In 2007 Keane released her debut CD Moon Tunes (produced by Lez Karski - Bondi Cigars, Nick Cave, Midnight Oil). Honest and beautiful, Moon Tunes is a haunting works featuring violinist Marie Limondin. Ballads such as 'Life's Ocean' and 'Spun Out' transport the listener into a world of stories about love, mystery and nature.
Keane is currently co-producing her second CD, 'Burning' with Lez Karski and Kim Lofts, due for release August 2010. It features WA and international musicians: Andrew Clermont on violin, Andrew Sumner on keys, Tim Turnbull on bass, Bronton Ainsworth on drums, Evan Holmes on saxophone, Dave (jazztrix) Rastrick on trumpet, Ashleigh Evans on cello and Lez Karki on lead guitar.
Fans can look forward to more original tunes by Keane including the satirical 'Mr Landlord' and WAM Song of the Year nomination 'A Wise Man'.
Keane's musical background lies in theatre. 'I used to love escaping into the world of performance, but one day song writing took a hold of me and became less of an escape and more of an exploration of myself and human beings in general. When there's just you and your guitar, there is no escape from who you essentially are, but in the end, we are all set free by the power of song!’
Her live performances take her audiences on several journeys. 'One minute I could be singing a lullaby, the next a high energy, sassy blues number with a touch of light opera. I love diversity in music. Rickie Lee Jones, Sarah Vaughan, Mavis Staples, Leonard Cohen, Mini Rippiton, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Mazzy Star, Nick Cave, Sheryl Crow, PJ Harvey…too many to name - anything real, original, evocotive.'
Keane has performed with popular jazz swing outfit Clarkes Gray Vest, and supported Double Entendre on the final leg of their 2008 Australian tour. She performed with the multi-talented Mal Webb at the Denmark Festival of Voice as well as Ash Grunwald for Recipe for Jam WA.
Listen out for Keane's new release dates and check gig link.
You can also join Simone Keane on facebook by clicking on the link at the top of this page.
'Music is Love. Music is life'.
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