Artist description "One part Hepburn; one part DiFranco.""She's going to conquer the world," says Ann Rabson, member of the nationally-renowned bluestrio Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women. Erin McKeownis rapidly making a name for herself and redefining folk music. In the past few years, Erin has performed with such diverse acts as Martin Sexton, Susan McKeown,Dar Williams, 10,000 Maniacs, Andy Stochansky, Jonatha Brooke, Luka Bloom, and countless others. Although often lauded for her DiFranco-esque independence and natural ability to charm a crowd, Erin bills her music as "original folk funk blues jazz infusion" and strives to forge a style that avoids such easy categorization. Dar Williams agrees, "Don't let anybody tell you that Erin McKeown is the 'next' anyone. She's the very first Erin McKeown, and she's great."

Music Style funk-infused folk jazz blues

Musical Influences Dave Matthews, U2, Andrew Bird, Michelle Shocked, Lauryn Hill, Orbital, Ani DiFranco, Nina Simone, Professor Longhair

Similar Artists Beth Orton, Bono, G. Love, Ricki Lee Jones..

Artist History Beginning her career as a semi-finalist in the ModernRock/Alternative category of the 1995 Songwriters'Association of Washington DC's Mid-Atlantic SongContest, Erin McKeown has evolved into a dynamicperformer, accomplished guitarist, innovativesongstress, and the leading lady of her own TVPRecords, on which she has recently released a CD re-master of her second cassette, "Monday Morning Cold" (1998) - available at www.erinmckeown.com

Instruments guitars, percussion, misc.

Albums Monday Morning Cold: demos and live material '97-99

Press Reviews from http://mp3.boston.comNowadays, it's hard to say what's going on in theworld of folk. The folk artists of today plug in electricguitars along with their trusty acoustics. Most folksingers are even backed up by a band. This is notyour mother's folk music. The song writing is still themost important aspect of the work, but these days,folk rocks a little. Erin McKeown is one such rocking folkie. The21-year-old Rhode Island resident rocks-out quite abit more than your traditional folk singer-even with heracoustic guitar. I think we can call it the AniDiFranco modus operandi, though her music is notnearly as angry. McKeown's songs are personal and emotionalwithout being preachy or whiny. McKeown isaccompanied by the typical rock band elements ofguitar, bass, drums, and an occasional piano. McKeown's voice is by far her greatest asset. It'sbreathy and unique and with more range then istypically found in folk music. While the diminutiveMcKeown sometimes looks dwarfed by her guitar,her bigger-than-life voice grabs your attention.Mckeown takes a page from Tori Amos' abstractbook of lyrical inspiration. Songs that revolve around,"Coke-goddess queens" assuredly stating: "I am myhips/ I am my hips"; give you an impression ofsomeone who's concerned with creating a lyricalvocabulary that's her own.

Additional Info contact Erin's management by emailing GUAMusic@aol.com!

Location Providence, RI - USA

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