Just a couple of tidbits i want to let you all know about. First off, as of last week i am no longer working a day job for some one else (this is a good thing. Don't worry Mom)  Now i can really focus on my own music, and the business that goes along with being an independent artist.  Right now I'm working on keeping my self as busy as possible and any sort help would much appreciated. If anyone is looking to book a house concert, or corporate event for the coming holiday season, now would be a good time to start planning.

Secondly. For the last 2 months I've been selling my EP "Far From Home" off stage by donation, and saving half of the profits to give to Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada.  So far I've raised $220. My goal is to get to $500 by the end of the year. I have CD Baby working on getting the tracks on to I-tunes as well, so hopefully that will help the cause.

BK

So I've been back in Vancouver for a bit over a month now. Figure I should let people in on what’s been going on in the last 6 months.
Where to start…… Well as you might know I went out to Toronto this time to join a band named “Birds of Wales”. I played 13 or 14 shows with the boys, toured western Canada, and had an awesome trip down to SXSW is Austin, TX. But some things are just not meant to be, or at least not right now.  Joining a band was more challenging than I expected, especially after years of running my own Solo career. I guess it’s safe to say that I couldn’t switch roles comfortable, from being…well the only man, to being a sideman. The boys in BOW are going to do just fine, and we will continue to be friends. We’ll just be going on different paths. And who know what the future will bring? Right?

Now the plan is to regroup and finally treat my music the way I should have been doing along time ago, like a business.
A few days after leaving Toronto, I found my self back in the same day job I left, the same apartment I last lived in, and wondering what happened? Where was the forward progress? Thankfully I have a truly amazing roommate who is also a clinical counselor, which helps when you are having a freak out. We talked goals and dreams, and I figured out that I was living one of my dreams without ever realizing it. I always wanted to have my own business. Well for the last 7 years I have had my own business (Music) but I never actually said it. I swear saying it out loud has completely changed the way I think of my music, how I deal with everything from booking gigs to responding to e-mails. I would much rather be doing a lot of un-fun phone calls, forwarding my career, then to be working for someone else’s dream just to pay the bills.

Now I have made some big changes in the last six months in terms of my thinking and attitude towards life, the company I keep, and the person I want to be. I’ll be honest I really didn’t want to leave Toronto. I made some amazing friends who were so encouraging, and supportive. It was hard to leave that kind of love.
I look at this time as a challenge, and a planning stage. I’ve got a lot of support here in Vancouver as well, (you thought I forgot, didn’t you? Not the case) which will help me to keep pushing on.

I’ve been booking shows and been doing my best to be playing as much as possible, so I can raise the money to push my career to the next level. Which would be to have Music be my day job.  There is a lot to do, and a lot to look forward to. Which goes well with my new life motto “What are you waiting for?”

BK

So things have changed a bit for me as of late. I've moved to Toronto and have joined a band called Birds of Wales playing bass. Now before any one gets all out of sorts, I'm still going to be doing my own music.
This was a chance for me to get on the road and see some new places touring. In the 2 months I've been with the band we have played in 13 cities. Met so many great people, and had a lot of really fun times.

I've also made it a resolution to get back to writing everyday and have given my self a song a day challenge.  I'm sure a few good songs will come, along with a good number of throw aways. But that's how the game is played.
Keep an eye on my acoustic myspace page for some demos of these songs.

Ben

Benjamin Keith- If a Moment Could Speak Lyrics


Party Dresses

Party time dresses, lose your inhabitations, tie you down by your own means, some may call it greed.

You only see what you want to, swing a double-edged sword around you, and through this blaze of smoke and over thought, you will never figure out.

Everybody needs someone, and I'm not that far away.
Everybody needs someone and I've made my case for you.

Taken at face value, every single fucking word that you used, maybe you were just being polite, but I don't see those lines.

Everybody needs someone, and I'm not that far away.
Everybody needs someone and I've made my case for you.




Growing Pains

Keep your fingers crossed, and challenge all the odds, but don't put your faith in a runaway.
Try the best you can, to raise an honest man, he'll learn from mistakes that his daddy made.

Head up little girl, it's a brand new world, and you're gonna learn.

That nothing can take away all his stupid growing pains, that he'll face along the way. But you can still stand by him, give him strength, encouragement, raise him to be all that you wanted.

Look around you now, with your back against the wall, your family's there to help you out.
Keep your fingers crossed, and challenge all the odds, you'll do fine without him.

Head up little girl, it's a brand new world, and you're gonna learn.

That nothing can take away all his stupid growing pains that he'll face along the way. But you can still stand by him, give him strength, encouragement, raise him to be all that you wanted




Loser

Settle down and I'll rest my bones waiting for you, waiting around.
Washing up on shore, better off than before, better than before.

Say I'm a loser, say I'm nothing to you. Say I've been sheltered, and you are teaching me the truth.

Take your time and I'll rest your mind, you're all worked up listening to liars.
But the walls you built are strong, doubt, and distrust are, they are your stones.

Say I'm a loser say I'm nothing to you.
Say I've been sheltered and you are teaching me the truth.

Taken back to a time back when imagination, it was your only friend.
And who do you see when you look in the mirror, does it please you, and is it real.

Say I'm a loser, say I'm nothing to you.
Say I've been sheltered, and you are teaching me the truth




Let Go

Dancing rain, I'm overcome, like another hopeless love, and I think that your damn near fading in to nowhere.

The fault is mine, so don't you blame him, you take it just to break, it now I'm trying to make up, some normal in this shake up.

It's all or nothing and I'm leaving now.
Said it's all or nothing no reason for me to fall. Cause you'll never, let go.

Doubt those seams, which hold together, the storm which we've both sheltered, and it seems like, you never, really wanted to get better.

It's all or nothing, and I'm leaving now.
Said it's all or nothing, no reason for me to fall. Cause you'll never, let go.




Johnny

It started out with a slip of the tongue, and an off tilt of the head.
And now he's searching for some peace in the blank stairs of china dolls on his bed.

And for too long.

Johnny wasn't able to cut the ties that held him down, and though he feels unstable, he will come around.

He packed his bags and he ran for the hill just to get away from his pain.
Then he realized just the scene would be different and deep down he'd still be the same.

And for too long.

Johnny wasn't able to cut the ties that held him down, and though he feels unstable he will come around.




Killer

Poster child for Jesus, and a poet for a war that never was.
Cowers in the corner, and trembles with the weight that holds him down.

And it's building.

Notes the grand expression of a pretty girl sitting there across the room.
Can't divert his mind from the thoughts he knows are wrong but must be done.

And they'll find you, they'll track you down, they'll find you.

KILLER.

Keep running.

Letter to his mother telling her that he won't be coming home.
So kiss his baby sister, and tell his dad sorry couldn't make him proud.

But don't cry for him, don't greave for him, just pray.

For the KILLER.

Just pray for his soul




Happy Song

Count all the stars that appear in the night, and each grain of sand as your timing the fight. IF A MOMENT COULD SPEAK then there's no need to talk, do you still need me brother or can I walk my own walk.

Now the sun has come up the politicians they have gone, and the answers we searched for so long. They were right at our feet they were so close to home, and yet we searched to the distance to find our happy song.

Now we're back on our heels can't believe what we found, and the note that you left me said we all die alone. But if you follow your heart then you can't go too wrong, that's so easy to say so fucking hard to get done.
And now I'm waking up shaking and I'm cold like the dead, and every thing that I read has got this harder edge. But I will count all my blessings, and I will trust not a soul, not the liars and bastards who promise to catch me, when I fall.

Singing my happy song.

Now I've found my peace in the silence of dawn, and the birds they are chirping as I'm just getting home. Through the crack in the blind, the light it sneaks in, I'm closing my eyes but I'm still seeing red. And it burns in my conscience this thought I can't let go, will man ever be saved from it self who knows. And only time will tell, but I'll just carry on, knowing nothing is perfect. Not even this happy song.




The Same

You let me hold your hand as we walked on Beach Avenue.
But I couldn't tell right then just what that meant to you.

Now maybe I was being foolish, seeing more than was truly there, once again.

I thought that I made it clear, when I confessed to you,
just how long I'd been waiting, to have chance with you.

Now maybe I was being stupid, thinking that you could believe.
Now I can see that this is pay back, for the times.

I've done the same.

I nearly hit the floor, when you stated so bluntly.
That you could not foresee, a chance when you could call.

I know you weren't trying to be insulting, but I was struck dumb all the same.
Now I can see that this pay back, for the times.

I've done the same.

I've done the same and now I've learned my ways.
The same





I Still Want You

I was walking in circles to see if you'd notice my position in all this, but I don't think it's working very well.

Now I'm getting a little dizzy and I don't know why it only hits me sometimes, I wish that these feelings would go away.

It's hard when you're face to face.

How many times must I be in this position, and each and every time I come to the same conclusion.
That I still, want you back.

I know you can't help but be charming and act like the center of the party, but maybe I should have just stayed at home.
But that wouldn't help me to get through the feelings that I still have for you, I'm sure there's got to be a better way.

Then watching you on parade.

How many times must I be in this position, and each and every time I come to the same conclusion.
That I still, want you back.

It's hard when you're face to face.
Watching you on parade.
And I know you feel the same way.

How many times must I be in this position, and each and every time I come to the same conclusion.
How many times must I be in this position, and I still want you back.





Man I've Never Known

I've messed up one too many times, to put all the blame on you.
But if the chance came to apologize would you say a word.

Are you ever burdened with, guilt buried in your heart.
Do you ever wake up and wonder, how he's dealt without.

A man who was supposed to be there, a man to lead the way, a man who instead chose, to run away.

I know I've spent too many nights, trying to figure this all out, helpless to change those choices, of a man,
I've never known.

So I’m home now from CMW in Toronto. Where they had the biggest snow storm in 80 years while I was there! it was not so bad but it did make it a bit hard to get to all the shows I wanted to see. Thank you to Cathleen and Ryan for having me out to there showcase. Also thanks to the fine folks at Gibson. (they let me play a beautiful J45 guitar for the show. now my guitar just doesn’t feel right. Damn you Brad!)

While at the day panels I ran in to my very talented friend Peter Katz, who just signed to Curb Records. He had just booked a show in Vancouver at the Media Club (one of my favorite rooms) April 6th (my Birthday) and was looking to fill the bill.

So mark your calenders. Sunday April 6th 8pm @ The Media Club.
It’s my first band Show in almost a year, and my Birthday. So now you have two reasons to come out.

and if all goes right I should also have a New Limited Edition Acoustic EP for sale that night.

BK

Thank you to Mission Entertainment and Ryan McMahon for inviting me out to there showcase at the Gibson Showroom on March 7th.

It is an industry only event but I have a 10 person guest list. So if you want to come out please e-mail me and let me know.
BK

IMPORTANT BENJAMIN KEITH NEWS!
PLEASE TAKE TWO MINUTES TO READ.
THANKS BK

Since I've been home from Toronto/Montreal I've been brain storming like crazy on how I can have my music be heard by more people. So heres a list of some cool new things that are happening this month. Go to www.benjaminkeithmusic.com to find out more.

FREE DOWNLOADS and SAMPLERS!

BATHROOM SERIES VIDEO'S AND WEEKLY COVER SONG!

MAILING LIST CONTESTS (Sign up! so i don't have to bug you on myspace)

and the most important thing....

FUNDRAISING SHOWS, STUDIO TIME and LIVE RECORDING
My goal is to be back at Wine Cellar Studio to record a new EP in January/Febuary.
In the mean time I'm looking for help with fundraising (eg. Pre-Sales, Investment, or hosting a House Concert. That's where i come
to your house and play to you and 15-40 of your friends and family). I will be offering pre-sales of the new EP at my upcoming fundraising
shows, along with my Album "If A Moment Could Speak" which makes a great X-Mas Gift!

I'll also be recording my show at the Wired Monk on Dec 7th to release as a free download.
I'm doing all I can these days to keep this dream alive, so if you can make it out to a show (or two) It would mean the world to me.
Thanks so much
BK

Thursday, November 15th, 2007@ The Cornerstone Cafe
7PM 3003 Burlington Drive Coquitlam BC V3B6X1
www.cornerstonecafe.ca

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007@ Now Lounge
9pm 189 Church Street Toronto ON
www.nowtoronto.com/lounge
Price: 5$
with Chisai Jackson and Shobha

Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 @ Bean Around the World
1pm 156 - 123 Carrie Cates Crt. Lonsdale Quay
North Vancouver BC V7M 3K7 Canada
604.987.1200

Friday, December 7th, 2007@ Wired Monk Cafe
9PM 2610 W 4th Ave (kits) Vancouver BC
http://www.myspace.com/wiredmonk
Price: 5$

If you are interested in helping in any way please Email
ben@benjaminkeithmusic.com
Booking@benjaminkeithmusic.com
Streetteam@benjaminkeithmusic.com

Building the Team! and Guest Lists!

So I've finally come to the wisdom in my ripe old age that to be successful in almost any venture you need help, and to know when to ask for it. Well I've at the point where I feel I could use some help. Not so I can sit on my butt and get others to do the things I don't like to do. But mostly because I'm wanting to work and hustle. I'm just finding that being a solo artist with little contacts out side of Vancouver leaves me passing my apartment feeling frustrated.

Heres a list of Ideas/Plans I have for the next little while. Contact me via E-mail. ben@benjaminkeithmusic.com Any help would be more than appreciated .

Touring/Bookings- Eastern and Western Canada. Club Shows, Coffee shops, House concerts, and/or Corporate events.

Fund-raising - New album

Photos/Videos- promotion

Marketing- New Ideas (out side the box), Street Team.

About Guest Lists!
E-mail me, and I'll tell you how we can make it happen!

To save on loading time, I've taken off the videos clips from my front page.
there's still a few on the video's page and one more on you tube. check it out.
bk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBhtRZSij_s
check it out

Yes I want Lots of Friends who doesn't but i want Friends who actual like my music, or vise versa. So from now on, no more adds unless your a Fan or a kick ass band who is putting out music I like. This is not hating, i just don't get why I would want to waste my time going through page after page of trash metal bands, cheese pop singers, and strippers to find a person who I actually want to send a message to.
Bands it's not the number of friends you have, it's the number you plays per day. If the music's good people will find it. That's my bit!
BK