2019 was quite a year for British rock band, Keane. After spending much of the summer performing to massive festival crowds across Europe and wowing fans in the US with a series of intimate shows, Keane released Cause and Effect, their fifth studio album and first album since 2013, but they didn’t stop there. Following Cause and Effect, the band has also been releasing a series of Retroactive EPs of demos, rare material and live recordings. Now, the band has their sights set on a much larger North American run throughout the month March, with their tour stopping through Denver at the stunning new Mission Ballroom on March 13th.
With tour dates starting soon and more new music hopefully on the horizon, we caught up with Keane to chat about their comeback, Cause and Effect and plans for the future. Read the full interview now below.
Purchase tickets to Keane’s upcoming show at Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO on March 13th.
You guys had a really exciting 2019, which included your first new album in six years, Cause and Effect, two Retroactive EP releases and a ton of tour dates and festival performances. I’m sure it’s hard to choose, but if you had to, what were some of the highlights of the last year for you?
The Isle of Wight Festival was the first show back in the UK and the reception was really heart-warming. Personally, I was very nervous, but there was a warmth and enthusiasm in the air that I had forgotten. We felt very loved and very lucky to get another chance to do what we do.
What was the energy like when you first stepped back into the studio to work on Cause and Effect?
It was really positive – Tom had been doing a lot of singing on a tour playing Queen songs with an orchestra, so we started with some vocals, and they sounded so good that it really gave us a brilliant starting point. Our producer, David Kosten, really challenged us, which also kind of made us work more as a team.
Did you have any major goals in mind when you began working on the album?
We honestly said we’d only do it if it felt enjoyable.
As a band that has been around for over 20 years, you’ve obviously grown a lot from when you first started to now, but I’m sure there was even quite a bit of growth and change in the last six years for you, as well. Where are you at now? How do you feel you’ve evolved since Strangeland?
There’s obviously a lot of change outside the band, but the vibe among the four of us is so much better – we are much happier to be where we are, and better friends to each other. I think we appreciate each other more too. It’s a good way to be.
Now that it has been out for a bit, what are some of your favorite things about Cause and Effect?
We pushed ourselves really hard – take the start of the album, the intro to You’re Not Home – that’s very different and bold. I’m also very proud of the way we stuck to our guns about making a cohesive album that speaks very directly from the heart. There are good songs that we recorded but left off because they didn’t go with the other songs.
What were some of the most rewarding or exciting moments of working on the album?
Hearing mixes – finished songs – is always exciting. Cenzo did a great job. Tim and I went to visit Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road for mastering the album – that was a great experience too, being in such a legendary studio is always exciting.
You’ve already played a ton of shows since your return, but you’re definitely not slowing down soon and are getting ready to hit the road in North America soon too! What are you looking forward to at these upcoming shows? What can fans expect?
We are playing quite long sets, and mixing them up night by night, so hopefully a few setlist surprises – some deeper cuts, as Jesse would say.
You recently released your third Retroactive EP as well. Could fans expect another addition to the collection or any more new music soon?
I hope so. There are also a couple of songs from the album sessions that are yet to see the light of day, but we don’t have immediate plans. Watch this space.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks, and we appreciate people sticking with us after such a long break.
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