Erin McKeown

After eight full-length records, three EPs, and 12 years of touring the globe non-stop, writer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist Erin McKeown is just getting warmed up.

Over the last decade, Erin has spent an average of 200 nights onstage each year. She has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Later with Jools Holland, NPR, BBC, and has had her music placed in numerous films, television shows, and commercials. She has even written a song via text message with her friend Rachel Maddow.

Erin’s compelling and energy packed stage show teamed with her seemingly effortless ability to bridge genres has garnered her international acclaim:

“Her operative mood is effortless grace” - LA Weekly

“In several distinctive ways- voice, dynamic subtlety, and sheer songwriting ability- Erin McKeown is in a class of her own.” - Sunday Times (UK)

She regularly collaborates and performs with her peers Andrew Bird, Anais Mitchell, Ben Sollee, Carrie Rodriguez, Mike Doughty, Amos Lee, and Josh Ritter. She has also performed at many of the world’s esteemed music festivals including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk, Glastonbury, and Oxegen.

Erin explains the driving force in her career, “I make music because I am made of music. I feel it and express it constantly. I speak through my songs because I feel a deep sense of responsibility as a citizen to participate in the world the best way I know how.”

In the summer of 2009, Erin created “Cabin Fever” a live internet concert series broadcast from her picturesque cabin in rural Massachusetts. Described as “Wayne’s World meets the Judy Garland Show”, the series has garnered considerable attention for its entertaining exploration of the intersections of art, technology, and commerce. You can watch the whole series here.

In the last several years, the Brown University graduate has launched a successful side-career as a political activist, lobbying regularly on Capitol Hill in an effort to connect the worlds of policy, music, and technology. Erin has spoken at some of the country’s top music and technology conferences including Future of Music Coalition’s Policy Summit, Free Press’ National Conference for Media Reform, Re-Think Music, and Innovate/Activate 2.0. Erin is also a 2011-12 fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society.

Erin is currently recording her 7th studio record, set to be released in early 2013.

“Her playing is so muscular, her arrangements so well conceived that she succeeds brilliantly. As with all truly great guitarists, the wonder is less in her chops than her choices” - Boston Globe