tommy-keene

Tommy Keene releasing new LP 'Laugh in the Dark,' shares "All Gone Away," touring in September

by Bill Pearis

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Tommy Keene has been making jangly, post-Big Star power pop since the early ’80s when songs like “Places That Are Gone” and “Run Now” were staples on collage radio. His new album is called Laugh in the Dark and will be out on Second Motion Records on September 4. His pop sensibilities are still finely honed as you can hear on “All Gone Away” which owes a little to the Beatles and a little to Baldwin (and maybe a little to the Little River Band?). Keene explains:

I have a funky 70’s Baldwin organ called a Fun Machine that I found at a consignment shop out in the Desert some time ago. I try and write at least one song on it per new album and this number was born quite effortlessly by playing a simple drone that became the Verse. I switched to guitar and out came the Chorus and Bridge! Of course it later morphed into a quite Beatlesque epic with Mellotrons etc. but if you listen carefully you can hear the Fun Machine playing the descending notes at the top of the song.

Stream “All Gone Away” below.

Keene will be going on a short tour next month, including a stop at NYC’s Bowery Electric on September 17. Dot Dash, the DC-area band featuring members of Julie Ocean and wordy ’90s indiepoppers Tree Fort Angst, open and tickets are on sale now. All dates are listed below.

Tommy Keene – 2015 Tour Dates
Tues, Sept 8, 2015 – Madison, WI – Kiki’s Righteous House of Music
Wed, Sept 9, 2015 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern
Sat, Sept 12, 2015 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
Tues, Sept 15, 2015 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot and Saddle
Wed, Sept 16, 2015 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
Thurs, Sept 17, 2015 – New York, NY – The Bowery Electric
Fri, Sept 18, 2015 – Arlington, VA – IOTA Club and Cafe