Keegan James – Thanks for Asking!

Image: Keegan James at the Albany Tulip Festival, May 9, 2026 – photo by Stephanie J Bartik

By Sara Busone.

RRX: Do you feel better when you sing about better times or worse times? Is there a difference you can describe?

Keegan James: I find that music has become the place where my frustrations get laid to rest. I think that’s a common thing in music, especially music made by United States citizens. My generation has been taught that it is our best effort to communicate kindly with others. This requires a lot of “filtering.” We all have heavy feelings and frustrations, but not all of them need to be said. Music is a place where I can put these feelings. It creates an opportunity for me to process them deeply and to eventually take them less seriously.

RRX: What instrument would you add to the band if you could? Is there anything you are trying to do musically that would be helped with one or more additional players?

KJ: Currently, I am looking to form a Keegan James “band”! Recently I’ve had the pleasure of performing at Albany’s Tulip fest, the Jive Hive, and Indie Whims with the very talented Hunter Frost on guitar and bass and also Peter Rodrick on drums! I’d love to consistently perform with a drummer and bassist/guitarist who’s passionate about funky pop grooves, who believes in me and has a keen sense of audio tech!

RRX:  Is there a song you wrote that really died on the vine? Something you like but somehow just couldn’t make work? You swear never to play it live, that sort of thing?

KJ: HAH! I did write a song a few years ago that has been sitting in my archives. It remains untitled, but it very much has a club vibe to it. I wanted to test out writing music that would vibe at a place like Waterworks Pub. I sometimes listen to it on my own, but I have come to accept that it just isn’t a song that is meant to be released on my catalog. Maybe one day I’ll sell it as an exclusive on my website or pass it along to other artists, but for now it rests untouched!

RRX: Is there a favorite time of year? What time of year do you/does the band have the most shows? Is there a recurring thing in the year that’s particularly memorable?

KJ: I tend to have the most shows around this time of year, May-June! It’s an exciting time! Pride month is here, and everyone is hosting their summer events! I really love getting to be outside and seeing the community come together for things like Tulip Fest, NOYK presents Live! Loud and Proud, and Indie Whims! I also tend to do a lot during the holiday season! My background in musical theater jazz makes holiday music a specialty of mine! 

RRX: What was your worst show like?

KJ: I feel as though I have become an expert at pivoting in this line of work! I tend to run into a lot of sound problems, whether it’s due to track malfunctions or microphone mishaps; I’ve learned the hard way how important a good sound check is. My bumpiest show was a ’90s-themed show at Lost & Found a couple years ago. It was my turn to perform and for some reason the tracks I was using lost the entire low end of the sound. It was painfully awkward, and I did my best to turn it into a comedy show. That’s when a miracle happened. Shannon Tehya and her band of five jumped up to the stage, took a look at my set list, and without a thought sight read all of my songs to back me up and keep the show going. It was one of the most magical moments I’ve experienced performing in the Capital Region!

RRX: What are some of your harmless vices?

KJ: Caffeine and Concerta. I have had ADHD my whole life, and on top of my (legally prescribed stimulants, you will often see me with a cold brew in my hand at 11 pm to keep me going for these late-night shows. Heck, I’m literally holding a latte right now.

RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Without spilling secrets, do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?

KJ: I’m painfully aware that when it comes to being a music artist, you must also be a walking brand/business if you want to survive. While I have side gigs like teaching yoga and music to students with special needs and dog sitting, I’m an artist full time and often struggle to make ends meet. I continue to explore many different avenues to generate as much revenue as possible. I’ll let you in on a little secret, the money doesn’t come from the streams and interviews. The money comes from things like merch sales, brand deals, and monetizing your skills through songwriting/producing. My friends and I often spend time together hand making our clothing merchandise; we design stickers and posters WITHOUT AI. We invest in materials that we know will bring us a return and do our best to provide what we believe will make our audience happiest! When you’re at a local show, the best way to show your support and keep an artist going is by taking a good look at their merch table and buying their music directly!