Keenan Baxter
Keenan Baxter(ASCAP) is a 22 year old composer/artist, specializing in Progressive House and other genres as well. Keenan's original songs are unique with their own style in that they counter point several melodies at the same time and are percussion driven similiar to Paul Oakenfold or DJ Bam bam. His music also combines genres, which makes his music a style that has never been heard before and difficult to pin down into one specific genre.
Keenan's music is comprised of layered melodies and harmonies with the richness of the best video game music utilizing a broad spectrum of instruments and some asian, middle eastern, or European sounds merging secretly in and out.
Keenan is a Grammy Contender 2006 For Best Album and Best Record for his latest album, "Crave The Floor." The title track, "Crave The Floor," is already charting in the US Record Pools and is extremely popular in the Latino Market and was included in the LatinPool Jan 06 Dance Mix cd, www.latincdpool.com, Miami Florida.
Joey Welz, from Canadian American Records reports that Keenan Baxter's techno dance song titled "Decent," made the Top 40 Indie Records worldwide. He states, "Of all the songs on our single compilation CD, they picked Keenan's song, Decent." It has a strong driving dance melody. "Decent" has remained on the Top 10 Dance for IsOnLiveRadio.com for over 10 months. ILR is a website that recommends songs for radio stations worldwide. Keenan has remained on the Top 10 for various songs for over 14 months straight.
Keenan has recently finished interning at a local radio station in Valparaiso, Indiana. Dan McWilliams, production director from Radio One says "Keenan is a Genius." Four of Keenan's songs were produced into radio commercials. In addition, Keenan also has 17 songs picked by Pinnacles Record for publishing in several genres. "Keenan is a unique talent and we are very impressed with his work, and we only pick the best" said JR Hughes from Pinnacle Records.
At 20 years old Keenan is a songwriter, producer, and performer, working in his recording studio on a daily basis and is located right outside the Chicago Area. The genres he specialize in are: Hip Hop, Dance, Techno, Adult, New Age, Trance, Goth, Celtic/Clasical, Club and House, and you can expect to combinations of them all. Like all musicians, Keenan grows so used to his own music that during performanes he adds in extra melodies and leads that are not previously recorded. For more information, log onto www.myspace.com/keenanbaxter.com (lower case only).
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
OTHER PUBLISHED WORKS:
Remixed a Rap song "In Progress" 2006 on "Silent Narcotic Disconnected" out of Canada, self-published by Silent Narcotic.
Keenan's Song "New Insomnia" published on "RAW 1" out for Recorded Art Works out of Chicago, 2004.
Four Songs made into Radio Commercials, 2005
Produced and Co-Wrote Four Rhythm & Blues songs with vocals from Nikki George, famous Chicago Jazz Vocalist, 2006.
Theme Song Chosen By Michigan City Public TV for Monthy Arts Series 2005.
17 songs Selected by Pinnacles Records, Inc. June 2005 www.1prc.com, publish date of 2006.
Various Mix Cds Mixes Made for Good Time Charley Single Dances.
Remixed Chris Brown's "Run It"
Various Single Compilation Compilatin cds by Canadian Amercian Records
Winter Music Conference Compilatin cd, 2005
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Valparaiso, Northwest Indiana and Chicago. Tons of special moments. It's a work in progress. You never know what you're going to find, or what you're going to be doing. One time I forgot my keyboard stand, and just put the entire keyboard on a table! It worked out fine! Many times, I've had to change what I was planning on playing, due to the age and response of the audience.
Your musical influences
DJ Bam Bam, Paul Oakenfold, Chemical Brothers, Jim Brinkman
What equipment do you use?
Yamaha ES8, the same keyboard that Elton John, Billy Joel, and Ray Charles uses. (or used)
Anything else?
I am also a producer and remixer. I can remix just about any song to and updated sound, I have taken a folk song and made it into a dance song.