Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Keen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was raised in Oklahoma and moved up North to be around family around 2000. Ended up in the west burbs of Chicago and have the deepest roots here for sure. I’ve subsequently lived in California, Idaho, Montana, and Arizona for a spell here and there and have made my way across most of the US. This sense of wanderlust has directly influenced my career as a singer/songwriter, artist, etc. I’ve been making a living playing music for roughly 10 years now in some way or another.
I was able to completely forego another job in the last four or five which has been an incredible blessing and stress that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I love to write music as it’s very cathartic for me even if the song I compose isn’t necessarily so. It’s an incredible outlet for somebody who’s constantly got a narrative running in their mind about the world I’m taking in every day. I’ve worked in electronic funk music with a project called Suga Groove and have gigged extensively across the country as a solo artist. However, the bulk of my work has been with my band Rebel Soul Revival.
I began getting into the idea of founding a rock and roll band in 2013 and by the summer of 2014 had founded RsR which has become a brainchild of mine and certainly my busiest project since. I’m way into bands like Rival Sons, Delta Saints, JJ Grey and Mofro and was trying to create a band that was ‘my take’ on the genre. After we got off the ground and through some lineup changes RsR has been finally gaining traction in the scene. It can be tough to break into the Chicago circuit but when you finally do and you get in with some cool club owners or promoters things start to feel a lot more like why you picked up the instrument in the first place or as I always say at the shows “feels like home”.
RsR has played nearly every small club in the downtown area and are always anxious to get the show in front of new audiences. We’ve done the bulk of our Chicago work at Reggie’s off of South State or Cubby Bear in Wrigley. The band has got a lot of 2018 Summer shows at both clubs so be sure to stay on the lookout for that. We’re eager to hit the road again and keep sharing our truth with the world. Our debut LP is due out later this year and if everything continues how it is we’re hopeful to do a two week two in Europe over the next year.
I love the fashion aspect of the music scene and have really enjoyed developing a wardrobe that matches my vibes as a rock’n’roller and artist. John Varvatos, Ray Brown, and Jeffrey West are some of my favorites designers currently and I’m anxious as ever to acquire to new stage wear and summer gear for all of our gigs. I’m drawn to creative people and love Chicago for that resource.
However, I’m looking to a new city and new musical outlets to try and keep pushing myself and my limits. I’ve been spending time in Nashville, TN and Venice, CA seeing which might elicit the ‘best’ from me.
When it all comes down to it I feel grateful for how my life has afforded me opportunities to meet incredible people and share my experience with a world far beyond my reach, especially in this incredible digital era. I’ve had the privilege of playing some cool stages with music elite as well as busking off Michigan trying to pay rent. I feel blessed to scrap for my dinner playing tunes as it’s the most honest work I’ve ever done.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some struggles have been:
– booking shows or gaining the trust or respect of strangers enough to trust you’ll do a good show.
– recording and distribution out of our own pockets. However, it’s nice because we keep 100% of everything sold.
– lineup changes due to unpaid gigs (most of any bands first couple years)
– the struggle of wearing all of the hats in the project and at times that leading to some things falling through the cracks or us on ‘bad’ gigs or gigs with bands that didn’t make sense with us.
– when I was younger I had a propensity for getting into trouble with the law and that definitely stifled a number of years creatively. However, I feel if you’re going to be a singer/musician especially a blues artist you probably should do some jail time even if it’s only a week or two. You’ll certainly appreciate the world in a new way!
– convincing people to come out to the gigs. We’ve always worked under the mantra that family and friends are NOT fans. While we understand that your mom is your #1 fan the idea that you can fill a club is preposterous. We have applied the logic of 1 or 1000. You’ll get the same show (energy wise) from us no matter the club or crowd size. This has actually been a calling card of sorts and has kept a lot of people coming back.
– Financially it’s tough producing all the merchandise, music etc out of pocket. Again it can be worth it in other ways.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Rebel Soul Revival, Suga Groove, and Matt Keen – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m a musician and artist. Primarily I front the rock and roll band Rebel Soul Revival. We’re an original blues-driven rock and roll band. As the founder, the thing I’m most proud of is our growth as a band over the last four years. I feel we’re not putting on a show that I would see. I’m a student of the theater and of proper rock and roll shows and I’m most particular about what I enjoy.
RsR has an intangible it factor. There’s incredible musical prowess as well as a look and energy that oozes truth and passion. Our shows are evidence of the power of music even to those wielding the instruments and how much impact words and chords can have on people. Another thing is our humble nature and willingness to befriend everyone everywhere we go.
Life’s too short to be bitter so we really enjoy making people smile and we’re damn good at it. There are two personalities that come out of me in relation to art and I think that when performing this is that ‘intangible’ bit I was describing earlier. It’s real and that’s all anybody wants these days. That’s what sets me apart from most. It’s a sudo-religious experience for me to play and sing and I think our audiences completely understand that.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
2018:
– New self-titled LP is coming out for RsR
– Another new music video for RsR
– European Tour
– Solo east coast/gulf coast tour
– Solo album due out entitled ‘9’
– Moving into designing my own fashion line that encompasses all of my current or former projects. Shirts, hats, hoodies, and a host of jewelry and accessories. I’m hoping to get into a number of boutiques by 2019. IL, TN, CA to start.
No big changes planned just to keep the brand(s) growing and to keep feeling like every day I’m pushing myself to be a better bandleader, musician, artist, and person in general.
Contact Info:
- Website: rebelsoulrevival.com
- Email: rebelsoulrevival@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/rebelsoulrevival
- Facebook: facebook.com/rebelsoulrevival
- Twitter: twitter.com/keensrevival
Image Credit:
Dan Proccacio, Missie Tong, John Keen
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
