“The reality of the ‘music industry’ is so different from what it was, when I first picked up a guitar. 

It’s changed so intensely, and so fast within the last decade alone, that every concrete notion we had about it has dissipated.

A lot of people look at this time in music through a lens of fear and disappointment, considering the diminishing monetary returns and devaluation of music (and art) in general.

I’d like to think of it as an opportunity to be a part of the new wave and fresh scene that’s developing right in front of our eyes, on digital screens.  There’s never been a better time in history to have a good idea, execute on it, and push it out to the world.

That’s what I’m here to do.” - Houston

In the summer of 2006, Houston took his initial steps into music, with the purchase of a novice acoustic guitar from the local music store, Billy Bones.  This investment, and two years of weekly lessons would be the first chapter in a long career of musical endeavors.  Continually practicing and reaching for any opportunities, he would fall in and out of bands with friends, churches, and similar contemporaries in the North Florida scene.  

His first official gig (under his own name) would happen in the blistering summer of 2010, playing in the small neighboring town of Cedar Key, FL. Originally unprepared and ill-equipped, he would fail, succeed, lose again, and recover for over seven more years in the local bar circuit.  He would bounce between late-night gigs and early morning construction jobs to supplement the recording of his debut album, Jenny.

All of this would eventually accumulate into the decision to relocate to the Live Music Capital of The World: Austin, Texas.

Houston arrived in the Lone Star State in November 2017, with a slew of pre-booked shows that had been coordinated during his time in Florida.  Armed with a MacBook Air from Goodwill, he would devote hours into building connections, booking gigs, learning design and video software, and becoming a valuable asset and artist within the ATX scene.

Over the next two years, he would cut his teeth in the Texas music scene; before a world-wide pandemic would close the doors to many legendary establishments, and freeze the entertainment industry in it’s tracks.

In the beginning of 2020, Houston would leave Texas and return to Florida for his former job in concrete and masonry.

In every city of America, the bars, restaurants, and businesses would remain closed for the unforeseeable future.  This dark period of time would allow for something unexpected: A break. A time to step away and create in the isolation of quiet streets and empty buildings.  It was during this time that Houston would pen the songs for his next project: Warmer Era.

Working during the day, and writing through the night, he would accumulate enough money and material to book the recording sessions at Black Bear Studios in Gainesville, FL; with producer Logan Fischer.

The project would be tracked during the Fall / Winter of 2020, and would release in April of the following year.

Sequentially, the sister-album: I See Horror would be recorded that summer, and released in November of the same year.

During 2021, Florida would eventually lighten its pandemic restrictions, and the entertainment circuit would slowly recover to its original glory.  Houston would once again make the jump to full-time musician, but with a recalibrated perspective and a collection of scars and notches under his belt.  He would continue to gig constantly, and begin writing on his sophomore album: Southern Oranges.  The album recording process would take place between January 2022 and November of 2023.  It would include world-class talent and artists from Florida, Georgia, Nashville, and Austin.

Nearly three years later, the scene is back in full-swing and Houston Keen is one of the key players in the area.  He manages himself, owns his label and songs, has written and recorded with a CMA Artist, and continues to tour Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas every year.  There’s no plan to sign to a record deal or leave Florida.  Houston is currently building his brand entirely through weekly touring, constant social media marketing, and releasing music on a monthly basis.  He is currently writing and recording for his upcoming project, and touring the North Florida area.

“Why leave for any big city?  In my opinion, that’s where a lot of young talent gets mixed up in bad contracts.  I think the real move would be to take that pile of money you’re gonna burn on an apartment and invest it into a camera, editing software, and marketing dollars.  In ten years time, you might shoot to the moon with the help of a place like Nashville or LA, but I’m placing my bet on the people learning how to work the social media game, and push constant content of themselves and what they do.

It’s literally the biggest billboard in the world, and the price of ad placements are the cheapest they’ll ever be.

Build your own brand with the tools online, and go hit em’ hard when you got leverage.” - Houston