{{Short description|Irish musical group}} {{for|the city in Florida|Key West, Florida}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = File:Keywest busking on Grafton Street. March 2014.JPG | caption = Keywest busking on Grafton Street, Dublin, 2014 | name = Keywest | origin = Dublin, Ireland and London, England | genre = Pop-folk | years_active = 2010–present | label = | current_members = Andrew Kavanagh<br>Andrew Glover<br>Luke Murphy<br>Conor Ray | past_members = Sam Marder<br>Jimi Lock<br>Harry Sullivan | website = https://www.keywestofficial.com }}
'''Keywest''' is an Irish pop-folk band formed in Dublin.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Writer |first1=Staff |date=18 January 2023 |title=IMRO Award Presented to Keywest |url=https://imro.ie/news/imro-award-presented-to-keywest/ |website=IMRO |publisher=Irish Music Rights Organisation}}</ref> Beginning as street performers, the band has released four albums and two EPs since 2012.
==History==
=== 2010: Formation === The band was initially formed as a duo by founding members Andrew Kavanagh and Andrew Glover, who were childhood friends in Artane, Dublin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keywest: 'busking shaped us' |url=https://www.farmersjournal.ie/entertainment/living-life-/keywest-busking-shaped-us-497361 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=www.farmersjournal.ie |language=en}}</ref> They began street performances (also known as busking) in Galway<ref>{{cite web | title=Keywest interview - Andrew Kavanagh and Andrew Glover (2019) | website=YouTube | date=7 June 2019 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnVBbTyq37E }}</ref> before relocating to Dublin to perform on Grafton Street, a location known for its street performers.<ref name="Keywest Interview">{{Cite web |title=Keywest Interview |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/keywest-interview-15425970 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=hotpress.com}}</ref>
===2012: ''The Message''=== Their debut album, ''The Message,'' was released in 2012 via Alphastar Records. It peaked at number 15 on the Irish charts, number two on the Irish iTunes chart<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Richard |date=2016-11-11 |title=Irish Band Keywest come to Dolans this November 26 |url=https://www.ilovelimerick.ie/keywest/ |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=I Love Limerick |language=en-US}}</ref> and has since been certified triple-platinum in Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Officer |first=Press |date=2016-03-29 |title=Press Officer, Author at IMRO - Page 97 of 179 |url=https://imro.ie/author/keith-johnson/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=IMRO |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=KEYWEST |url=https://www.breakingtunes.com/keywest |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=www.breakingtunes.com}}</ref> The album was self-produced, with engineering by Mark Needham.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Needham Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mark-needham-mn0000293071 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> The album was released as a double CD, with the first disc containing the main album and second disc being the unreleased EP.
In 2012, Keywest was nominated for Best New Act at the Meteor Awards, while ''The Message'' was nominated for Best Debut Album in the Hot Press Hotties Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Keywest, Galway Arts Festival 2012 {{!}} Galway International Arts Festival |url=https://www.giaf.ie/festival/event/keywest |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=www.giaf.ie |language=en}}</ref> The band also signed a worldwide publishing deal with Peermusic in Los Angeles that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Banks |first=Breffni |date=2011-07-12 |title=Dublin Band Keywest Sign Exclusive Songwriting and Co-Publishing Deal |url=https://imro.ie/news/dublin-band-keywest-sign-exclusive-songwriting-co-publishing-deal/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=IMRO |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===2013: ''Electric Love'' EP=== The band followed their debut album with the ''Electric Love'' EP, which featured the title track and lead single, "Electric Love". It was released independently through the band's label, Sonic Realm Records, and the single reached number one on the Irish charts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sonic Realm Records Discography |url=https://www.discogs.com/label/1075859-Sonic-Realm-Records |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Discogs |language=en}}</ref>
===2015: ''Joyland''=== In 2014, the band won Best Street Artist/Busker at the Hot Press Awards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Keywest triumph at 98fm Awards |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/keywest-triumph-at-98fm-awards-11891066}}</ref> In 2015, the band was fined for exceeding noise levels under Dublin's busking by-law.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dhillon |first=Fiona |date=5 October 2015 |title=Busking appeals falling on deaf ears as Keywest pays decibel fine |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-herald-busking-appeals-falling-o/169538952/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Dublin Evening Herald |pages=11}}</ref>
Keywest released their second album, ''Joyland'', in September 2015, and it debuted at number two on the Official Irish Chart; the album reached number one the following week.{{Citation needed|date=February 2026}}
=== 2016: ''This Summer'' EP === In 2016, Keywest released the ''This Summer'' EP, featuring the lead track of the same name. The EP was independently released through the band's label, Sonic Realm Records.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sonic Realm Records Discography | website=Discogs | url=https://www.discogs.com/label/1075859-Sonic-Realm-Records?srsltid=AfmBOooGWsdULw1S61IM0eyHlmc0XSli-yOt5FYVEyRqH-GZsZ7gvWeJ }}</ref>
===2018: ''True North''=== The band's third album, ''True North,'' was released on 30 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aidhne |first=Orlaith Nic |date=2018-03-26 |title=Keywest will release third studio album ahead of show at Olympia Theatre |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/keywest-will-release-third-studio-album-ahead-of-show-at-olympia-theatre-21860945 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002192014/https://www.hotpress.com/music/keywest-will-release-third-studio-album-ahead-of-show-at-olympia-theatre-21860945 |archive-date=2025-10-02 |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=Hotpress |language=en}}</ref> It entered the Irish charts at number three, reaching number one on the Independent Music Chart.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music gigs and concerts in Ireland this March |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/music-gigs-and-concerts-in-ireland-this-march__25680/ |website=Official Charts}}</ref> Keywest received three nominations at the 2018 Irish Post Music Awards: Best Song, Best Album, and Best Band.<ref>{{cite web | title=Irish Post Music Awards 2018 | url=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSch1FjbiW9D8jXc1pp34Eszo-14VhvnDE3Rm51lhrkY8APFYQ/viewform }}</ref>
=== 2019: ''Ordinary Superhero'' === In November 2018, Keywest signed to Marshall Records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keywest - a Marshall Records alumni band |url=https://www.marshall.com/us/en/artist-services/artists/keywest |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=marshall.com}}</ref> Their fourth album, ''Ordinary Superhero'', was released on 18 October 2019 and reached number 8 on the official Irish Album Chart. The song "I'm Not Me Without You" features Irish singer Una Healy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Sorcha |date=25 April 2019 |title=Una teams up with Keywest for new single after going solo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-herald-colab-with-una/169539347/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Dublin Evening Herald |pages=22}}</ref>
The title track, "Ordinary Superhero," was released at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in conjunction with Irish and UK charities supplying PPE to frontline workers. The music video for the song depicted frontline workers during the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Charts - Ordinary Superhero |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/keywest-ordinary-superhero/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=hotpress.com}}</ref>
As of 2025, the band operates independently, funding its activities through direct sales and platforms like Patreon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get more from KEYWESTOFFICIAL on Patreon |url=https://www.patreon.com/Keywestofficial |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Patreon |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Members ==
=== Current members === {{unreferenced section|date=July 2025}} * Andrew Kavanagh (Kav) - lead vocalist, harmonica (2010–present){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Andrew Glover (Glove) - backing vocalist, acoustic guitar, piano (2010–present){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Luke Murphy - backing vocalist, electric guitar (?-present){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Conor Ray - percussion, drums (?-present){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}
=== Former members ===
* Sam Marder - bass guitar (2010-?){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Jimi Lock - lead guitar (2010-?){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Eamonn Hegarty - drums (2010–2012){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Harry Sullivan (H) - drums (2012-?){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} <ref>{{Cite web |last=McEneff |first=Karissa |date=2015-12-15 |title=Five Key Facts You Need To Know About Keywest {{!}} Ticketmaster IE Blog |url=https://blog.ticketmaster.ie/music/five-key-facts-about-keywest-4547 |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=Ticketmaster IE |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations== {{unreferenced section|date=September 2025}} * Best New Act – Meteor Awards 2012 (nominated){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Best Debut Album – Hot Press Hotties Awards, 2012 (nominated)<sup>[</sup>[https://www.hotpress.com/music/the-hotties-2012-9632853 8]<sup>]</sup> * Best Street Act – 98FM Best of Dublin Awards 2014 (winner)<sup>[''[https://www.98fm.com/news/98fms-best-of-dublin-winners-203777 9]'']</sup> * Best Street Act – 98FM Best of Dublin Awards 2015 (winner){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Most Promising Artist – Hot Press Hotties Awards 2015 (winner){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Best Song – Irish Post Music Awards 2018 (nominated){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Best Album – Irish Post Music Awards 2018 (nominated){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} * Best Act – Irish Post Music Awards 2018 (nominated){{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}
==Discography== {{Infobox artist discography | Artist = | Image = | Caption = | Studio = 4 | Live = | Compilation = | Video = | Tribute = | Demo = | EP = | Singles = | Music videos = | B-sides = | Soundtrack = | Box sets = }}
===Studio albums=== {|class="wikitable" style=text-align:center; |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Album details ! Peak chart positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|IRL<br /><ref name="irish-charts.com">{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://www.irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Keywest |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007102137/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Keywest |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 October 2015 |title=Discography Keywest |publisher=irishcharts.com |access-date=2022-08-16}}</ref> |- |2012 |align="left"| '''''The Message''''' *Released: 24 February 2012 *Formats: CD, download | 15 |- |2015 |align="left"| '''''Joyland''''' *Released: 25 September 2015 *Formats: CD, download | 1 |- |2018 |align="left"| '''''True North''''' *Released: 30 March 2018 *Formats: CD, download | 3<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Albums|title=Irish Albums Chart: 6 April 2018|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> |- |2019 |align="left"| '''''Ordinary Superhero''''' *Released: 11 October 2019 *Formats: CD, download | 8<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Albums|title=Irish Albums Chart: 6 April 2018|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref> |- | colspan="3" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a title that did not chart. |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan=2|Year ! rowspan=2|Title ! Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Album |- !style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|IRL<br /><ref name="irish-charts.com" /> |- |2009 | style="text-align:left;"|"Miss You Most" | 6 | |- |2011 | style="text-align:left;"|"Back into Your Arms" | 25 |rowspan="3"| ''The Message'' |- | rowspan="2" |2012 | style="text-align:left;"|"Feels So Cruel" | — |- | style="text-align:left;"|"In the Fight For Love" | — |- |2013 | style="text-align:left;" |"Electric Love" | 55 | |- | rowspan="3" |2015 | style="text-align:left;"|"All My Mistakes" | — | rowspan="3" | ''Joyland'' |- | style="text-align:left;"|"Carousel" | 84 |- | style="text-align:left;"|"This Is Heartbreak" | — |- |2016 | style="text-align:left;"|"This Summer" | | rowspan="4" |True North |- | rowspan="2" |2017 | style="text-align:left;"|"The Little Things" | |- | style="text-align:left;"|"Cold Hands" | |- |2018 | style="text-align:left;"|"Something Beautiful" | |- | colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a title that did not chart. |}
== See also == * Music of Ireland
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2008 Category:Irish pop music groups Category:Irish folk music groups Category:Musical groups from Dublin (city)