Singer-songwriter Angie Keys is from Birmingham, UK. Her debut album Finally Here dropped in December 2024. So why the name Finally Here? Well, it was a work in progress for quite some time.
Angie has been writing songs since she could just about reach a piano. Music was always the place she went to when she needed to escape, and that was pretty often as a kid. Her childhood was difficult, but her mom was always there, cheering her on, encouraging her to chase her dreams.
She always knew music was her thing and knew a career had to happen. The music industry was a difficult place to crack though, especially back in the 90s. None of this self-releasing business. Her music had to be the best it could be and she wasn’t in any hurry to get that wrong. She wanted to write from the heart and knew she had to experience a life to be able to do that.
Twenty-year-old Angie stepped into a live room for the very first time, singing into a Neumann U87 microphone. This was a big deal for the music tech nerd she had become. A well seasoned session guitarist played her song Heaven Knows like she had never heard before and her heart almost stopped.
This was the big bang moment. The album had to happen.
Life continued, songs were written but the self doubt also kicked in. The songs weren’t good enough and a career teaching music took precedent. The voices of the teachers back in school who said get a real job, stop day dreaming, it’s not a sensible career all helped to stifle her self belief.
Many years later – 20 to be exact – all the elements finally came together at the right time – the lyrics were deeper from a life lived, the production knowledge had developed, being an independent artist was much easier, she met the right musicians who brought the sparkle, her producer/guitarist husband made the magic happen and she finally felt brave enough to release her heart and soul into the world.
And after a series of heart-breaking life events she thought “what on earth am I waiting for?”
So she’s Finally Here and truly believes her songs have something special to give.
“When I listen to music, I’m often looking for comfort, for answers, for something to make me feel what I need to feel,” Angie said.
“The best thing about making music is being able to give that to other people. I worked really hard to bring a range of vibes and emotions to this album. And in a world where mental health is a bigger deal than ever, maybe my songs can be there for people when they need them.”
The album was recorded with the help of some fantastic musicians from all over the world:
Drummer Emiliano Bourlot from Argentina
Pedal steel player Daniel Beachy from Georgia
Pianist Marco Gatti from Italy
Lap steel player Hugo Lanauestudi from Spain
Keyboard player Jon Hawkesford from Worcestershire
and of course her guitarist/producer husband Joseph Keys.
The album brings flavours of country, rock, and “grown up” pop with inspirations from Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, Lady A, Daisy Jones and the Six.
Storyteller lyrics, a big voice, plenty of backing vocals, the all-important piano, some very cool guitars, catchy choruses, and all the really good chords. Songwriting in a classic way.
Angie is now taking the album to the stage. She has been working with five fantastic musicians to form her band, rehearsals are well under way and she is ready and excited for whatever may come next. And there will be more albums.
