Strip Me Bare, Vol. 2 David Keenan

• 1 Matchbox 04:10
• 2 James Dean 03:46
• 3 Rise Up 04:49
• 4 Nazareth House 03:08
• Total Runtime 15:53

Info for Strip Me Bare, Vol. 2

The Dundalk songsmith has already shown what he's capable of not only with his previous release, entitled Strip Me Bare Vol 1, but mainly through many live gigs including appearances at various festivals. The first release was like a fine chocolate bar - one piece is just not enough, you eat one and you want more.

And David Keenan nails it again. Just him and his guitar and you can't help but be amazed what can come out from a set up like that.

Matchbox clearly shows this young man is a mature artist way beyond his age. An unmistakable raw voice, powerful lyrics and recognizable guitar playing make him someone remarkable.

Have you ever wondered what would those who passed away way too young be doing if they were alive today? That is exactly what Keenan is asking in James Dean, a dreamy and poetic track. "I had a dream James Dean was alive and well today, looking for a quite life, working for Irish rail."

Rise Up has that beautiful warm feeling of a familiar song. It plays with listener's imagination again and the sensation only grows as the songs goes on. It also showcases Keenan's vocal abilities and there's no doubt he's got it.

Nazareth House is another example of Keenan's outstanding touch for lyrics ("...the godfearing husband too afraid to go home to a wife with a knife...").

This collection of songs makes you feel you've travelled back in time. To the time of Joyce and other giants whose words continue to inspire. David Keenan remains himself, authentic, honest, true.

"To me, they sound like the deepest utterances of a man in the trenches, alone by candlelight writing his letters not sure if they will ever be found." (David Keenan)

"Keenan displays vision and romanticism that’s wonderfully youthful and illustrates it with language and imagery beyond his years. ‘Strip Me Bare’ is devoid of all modern day distractions and curates a world much closer to that of Yeats and Joyce. He’s a dreamer, a romantic, a poet and, above all else, an artist. One of the most inspiring talents to come out of Irish music in a very long time." (goldenplec.com)

David Keenan

David Keenan
"Not just another young lad with an acoustic guitar, Keenan is the sound of Tim Buckley and Brendan Behan arguing over a few jars, while Kavanagh deals Dylan a suspicious hand of cards, and Anthony Cronin and Jack Kerouac furiously try to scribble it all down" -Pat Carty, Hot Press Magazine.

David Keenan has built a reputation as one of Ireland's leading songwriters and live performers.

A prolific output includes two critically acclaimed albums "A Beginner's Guide to Bravery" released in 2020, reaching number 1 in the Independent Charts & the 2021 follow up "WHAT THEN?" marked Keenan's worth as an artist intent on pursuing their own path. Other works include a published collection of poetry “Soundings of an Unnamed Bird”, live album/concert film "Alchemy & Prose" (2020) and his new album “CRUDE” (2022) followed by the EP “CRUDE BOYO” (2023).

Keenan has toured consistently throughout Europe and North America with notable events including two headline nights in Dublin's Olympia theatre, the main stage of Electric Picnic, residencies in Paris and New York's Irish Arts Centres & writing the music for Evanne Kilgallon's experimental play “AN LÁR”.

The powerful and uplifting single “An Irish Song” was just released before an illuminated headline show in The National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Described by Hot Press…”There is no longer any doubt whether he’ll be able to fit the massive space– in fact, the space moulds to fit him.

It seems he’s finally found a stage big enough to hold him, though the high roof and rows of seats were bursting at the seams from the sheer power within”.

His fourth studio album is due for release in early 2024.

This album contains no booklet.