GET TO KNOW: Pete Keating

Seattle singer-songwriter Pete Keating has developed a distinctive musical identity rooted in Americana, blues and the playful storytelling traditions of classic American songwriting. Performing alongside his band The Renslow Trestle, he draws inspiration from artists including Lyle Lovett, Etta James and the Carter Family, creating music that balances vintage character with warmth, humour and an unmistakably human touch.

His latest single 'Perfect' explores the unlikely magic of two people who appear completely incompatible but somehow turn out to be exactly right for one another. Blending lounge blues with rootsy Americana, the track was recorded at Seattle's legendary London Bridge Studios with producer Eric Lilavois, capturing Keating's acoustic guitar and lead vocals live and uncut to preserve the spontaneity of the performance.

So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to discuss his origins and influences over the years.

What was the first band or artist you fell in love with? 

As a younger child, I remember my first time falling deep into a track was in hearing Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” for the first time on vinyl through a set of good earphones.    My first favorite full record was Supertramp “Breakfast in America” which is still my all time favorite album to this day.  My first solid teenage band obsession was "The Cure" in everything they did from “Boys Don’t Cry” to “Pictures of You”.

Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like? 

Our early attempts at teenage band songwriting landed our sound somewhere between “Love and Rockets” “Led Zeppelin” and “A-ha”.  

What has been your primary inspiration in writing music? 

As a teenager, I was around many musicians, at first through bands my brother was involved with, who all wrote their own music.  I thought that writing original music was something that all bands did.  Later in my teenage years, my friends and I started to perform and write music of our own.  One of my first college roommates was a guy named “Jay Irwin” who set the example (for me) of a true songwriter work ethic,  burying himself in his room for days, writing well thought out songs about people and places he knows on just acoustic guitar and voice.  Over the past many years, Jay, is still writing and performing and continues to set the bar for me in how to keep original song-writing as a consistent everyday focus.  

What is a song you wish you had written yourself? 

Chimes of Freedom - Bob Dylan

If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be? 

Earlier this year, my band “Pete Keating and The Renslow Trestle” opened up for the touring band “Carl and Wes” at Kelly’s Olympian in downtown Portland Oregon.  About 7 seconds into our first song, both us as a band and the audience, immediately came to life, replacing all the nerviousness with pure excitement.  The exact moment I will always remember is glancing over at my son (who is also our upright bass player) with a non-verbal nod and shared awareness that we have truly arrived.  

Which artist would you most love to share a stage with? 

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott

And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well? 

Jeff Lynne

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I visualize a continuing growing catalog of original work, and performing more well known festival stages, with an awareness of certain devoted audience members visibly knowing and mouthing every word of my occasional stubbornly lengthy 9 minute songs.

Listen to Pete Keating's new single 'Perfect' below.