What's not to like about David Keenan. His journey into music is something of fairy tales - running away from his home in Dundalk in Ireland at the tender age of 17 to find the ‘disappeared’ in Liverpool.

He busked to earn money to stay in a hostel, he honed his craft and started to become recognised. His time there helped him find himself and he returned to Ireland with confidence and a desire that inspired him, even more than he may have felt possible. If, as I think he might, David Keenan creates something quite special in the music industry, his journey and travels would make a very good film one day! 

His new single, The Healing, starts with a very lonely guitar, so clear he could be playing it next to you, with David’s vocals accompanying, giving power to the lyrics with little effects on them to distort our hearing.

After a few seconds you wonder where this song will take you, you hear the rugged Irish Folk tones, but question who it will appeal to; then, just when you’ve had time to ask the question you’re hit with a beautiful string accompaniment and equally beautiful melody that builds and builds until you’re asked if you are ‘ready for the healing’. The lyrics pull you in, the folk genre steps aside and David Keenan is creating a new powerful sound with this song. If moves to beat poetry, rap and dare I say it, even pop at some points. But you’re never under any illusion of what The Healing is, it is a folk song through and through that hints to other influences, but tells the stories that are heard in the local bars of Dundalk, with a vocal that transcends folk and moves to some places I’ve not heard in songs before. 

I’m excited by this song, this artist has something that creates suspense, he writes powerful lyrics and produces instrumental music that takes you on a journey. If you hear any of his work, you will, like me, want to see when he’s playing near you soon. Luckily he is starting a tour that takes him through the entire British Isles, so you may have a chance, and I fully recommend you go and see him. 

The Healing is one of the most exciting songs you’ll hear!

 Folk     Rock