Getting Musical with Erin McKeown

With five full-length albums, two EP’s, hundreds of shows performed each year, massive amounts of critical praise, and a growing fan following, lesbian singer-songwriter Erin McKeown is definitely making a name for herself in the music industry – in genres ranging from pop, electronica, folk, rock, and jazz standards. Cherrygrrl.com recently got to know the talented musician better and learned about her unique style, influences, career highlights so far, and very clear goals for her future.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How and when did you first get involved with music and decide to make a career out of it?
Erin McKeown (EM): I played piano from a young age because my parents wanted me to. It was only when I started to play guitar at age 12 that I really got hooked on music. I wasn’t sure I could or would be a musician until sometime in my first year of college.

CG: How would you describe your style of music?
EM: I think its modern singer-songwriter dragged through the filter of vaudeville and indie rock.

CG: Where did you grow up and how has that affected your music?
EM: I grew up in a small town, Fredericksburg, Virginia. I lived in the same house, in the same room until I was 18 years old. I think the biggest effect of growing up in a southern town is my love of the slow life and the Allman Brothers.

CG: Who are your musical influences?
EM: When I was a teenager, I had a Big 5 that really were important to me. I’ve been lucky to meet and play with all 5. Indigo Girls, Soul Coughing, Dave Matthews, Ani Difranco, and Michelle Shocked.

CG: What other musicians or groups are you currently listening to?
EM: The new Juana Molina. The new Rachael Yamagata. And getting ready for the new Andrew Bird record.

CG: You have a accomplished a great deal in your career so far – at only 31 years old – what would you consider to be your career highlight so far?
EM: I think getting to work with my heroes has been a real thrill. And I have had quite few accomplishments under my own name I am proud of: being on Conan O’Brien, Jules Holland, playing Bonnaroo.

CG: Who have you most enjoyed collaborating with in the past and whom would you most enjoy the chance to work with on a record?
EM: I have done some past collaborating with Mike Doughty, Ani Difranco, and Tucker Martine that I really am proud of. Also Jose Ayerve of the band Spouse – my FAVORITE BAND. I am hoping to do something with my friend Beck Drysdale, the comic (lesbians should check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=279JztloK2s).

CG: What are your fans like? Do a lot of lesbians attend your shows?
EM: My fans are uniformly awesome. They are so interesting and have their hands in cool jobs and causes and lives. My audiences are pretty diverse in terms of gender, age, and income… there are plenty of lesbians, more so as I have been more outspoken about that.

CG: You are on tour a lot. Do you enjoy being on the road and if so what is your favorite aspect of it?
EM: I do love being on the road. The adrenaline of playing a show everyday and of the changing scenery is highly addictive.

CG: What is something your fans would be surprised to learn about you?
EM: I love baseball. More than just about anything else.

CG: What are your goals for the future of your career?
EM: To keep making records and playing shows. Very simple!

For more about Erin visit http://www.erinmckeown.com and www.myspace.com/erinmckeown.