Keaton Simons has been a very busy musician since the last time I spoke to him in January 2009. He performed at The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Awards in March, had a very successful winter and summer tour, and he is currently writing songs for his next record. His music has appeared on Harper’s Island, Crash, and a Ghost Whisperer music video all in this past year. If you haven’t heard his music yet, just go straight to iTunes and buy his album, Can You Hear Me? because it will become your favorite record. Enough talking about him, read below for this amazing follow up interview with Keaton!

Photo Credit: Brad Siefert

How was the summer tour?
It was fantastic! I love to tour, it is one of my favorite things in the world.

When can we expect a new album? Do you have any writers/producers in mind to work with?
I plan on recording the next one as soon as possible! I have written a lot of new stuff myself and done some co-writing with some really cool people. I am meeting with producers and trying to figure out what feels right. I want to mix elements that I haven’t laid down yet.

All of the songs on Can You Hear Me? have, I don’t want to say the same sound but a consistent flow.
Yeah, I wanted it to be that way, have a real continuity with it. The next album I want to have continuity also but I have an idea in mind where I want to mix different elements but keep it sharp. I love all of the new stuff that I have and I will make use of some older stuff that have never put out there.

Will you have more songs on the next album than on Can You Hear Me?
I plan to, yeah. I definitely want to have a longer running time.

How many instruments do you play?
It’s hard to say, if it depends on what level of how well I can play. But, how many instruments would I play on stage live at show…I’d say around ten. I’m not a great drummer, but I’ve played drums at a live show and in recordings and loved it. Bass, guitar, piano, and then a bunch of world instruments that I play.

Any instruments you want to learn how to play?
I want to get better at playing every instrument and I would love to learn the trumpet.

What was your first guitar?
My very first guitar was a Nylon String Martin that belonged to my Great Grandfather. I still have it.

Do you take it out on the road with you?
No, no, no. I used to, before all of the airport security measures increased. It was so much easier to bring your guitar. But now, I would never bring it on the road because if something happened to it, I’d be devastated.

What guitar would you suggest for someone who wants to learn how to play?
I highly recommend starting on nylon strings. It also depends on when you are starting. When you are a kid, it’s really good to start on nylon strings, especially if you are playing acoustic.

What was the first song you learned how to play on guitar?
The first song I learned how to play on guitar was “Blackbird” by The Beatles.

What are the easiest and most difficult songs to play guitar that are on the record?
“Unstoppable” is pretty hard to play because to kind of nail it is stuff. “Can You Hear Me?” is pretty is easy to play. It’s pretty much straight up chords, open position chords.

How did you get involved with Songhurst Guitars?
Through my good friend, Tyrone Wells. I heard him play his guitar, played it a little, and then we planned this huge show where we played together and then I played his guitar and it was such a great show. It became a great friendship and he made me a signature guitar.

Would you ever release a live record?
Oh definitely! I would only do a live record if it really captured an intense experience but I plan to release a lot of the live performances as time goes on. I was thinking about doing a live in studio record in front of an audience, I think that could capture something really special as well. I have recorded every song on Can You Hear Me? in acoustic, live in my living room but I haven’t figured out how I want to put it out there yet.

What was it like at the played at The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Awards this past March?
It was an amazing experience! Just being there was an experience in itself. The members of the band were legends and there were some other amazing performers there as well, it was incredible.

In your first Twitterview, you interviewed Tyler Hilton. How did the Twitterview idea come about?
My tour manager, she and I were taking a walk to Whole Foods and she presented the idea to me which I thought was brilliant. So we made a list of people to ask to be involved and so far it has been amazing.

Can You Hear Me? is available on iTunes and Amazon now.

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