Donovan Keith

Donovan Keith has dropped a genre-hopping new tune, "Cruel Fools Eye".

Donovan Keith’s music is all about soul and showmanship: digging into those deep and uncomfortable emotions we all feel, but in a way that makes you get up and dance rather than feel miserable about it. It’s an approach that’s harder than it looks, but he’s made it his trademark. Keith has opened for the likes of Enrique Iglesias, and made his own fans with his ability to reach beyond genre to something more universal.

His latest single, “Cruel Fools Eye”, puts his genre-hopping and mood-blending approach on display for all to see. Keith puts the inherent timelessness of his vocals to good use with a sound that feels like it’s come from the heyday of soul, while a lush and vibrant instrumental backing charges the song with the upbeat and optimistic energy that lies in intriguing contrast to the often dark and sombre tone of the lyrics.

On the song, Keith says, “Cruel Fools Eye is about the habit of chasing the things that neglect you. Sometimes we tend to be attracted to what our impression of someone is when they’re actually toxic and not good for us at all. At the same we completely ignore those who are interested in us, who see our value, and would be great for us. Having a Cruel Fools Eye means being so distracted by the toxic that you’re blind to any real connection.” - Notion Staff

Austin R&B-soul musician Donovan Keith weaves is a cautionary tale about falling in love with the wrong person and getting hurt on uplifting yet melancholic single “Sweet Lies,” taken from his upcoming album. The track oozes smooth basslines and funky beats in a groovy reimagining of the 90s classic production first written and recorded by Reggae artist Beres Hammond.

Carried by Keith’s soulful and expansive vocals, layered over infectious instrumentals, the track taps into the Texan act’s vintage style of combining soul, funk, and rock in a genre-spanning blend, making the track truly his own. Letting the honest and heartfelt lyrics on love shine through the hazy combination of soul and R&B sounds, Keith’s version of “Sweet Lies,” takes the sonic experiences he grew up with, merging it with the artistic style he has honed.

Known for his intimate signature, the track veers away from his trademark of building only off personal experiences, yet bringing a relatable message that remains his own.The midwestern rising act who has built a fanbase with his poetic musicianship and charismatic presence, offers up “Sweet Lies,” as a curious glance of his upcoming album – pulling old and new fans into his classic soul music. - Earmilk

Donovan Keith cut his teeth from 2009 to 2016 as the frontman for his first project, the inescapably funky Soul Track Mind out of Austin. Since then, Keith has taken everything that made Soul Track Mind a hit — the voice, the energy, the showmanship, the moves — and elevated it as part of his new solo project. Performer Magazine once said of Keith, “Aside from showcasing an impressive vocal range and blues-soaked sound, Keith can engage an audience with his unbridled enthusiasm and dance moves.”

Since his reemergence, Keith has released several singles such as “Hit ’n’ Run” and “Last Chance For Love.” His 2020 single “Down Low” is featured on his most recent release, February 2022’s Sweet Lies EP. But that’s just the beginning.

“I’ve spent the last two years working on my new album, Hot Off The Wire,” Keith tells Texas Music. Despite being productive during the pandemic, the time away from the stage certainly took a toll.

“My entire connection to music is performing, so it means everything to be able to perform again,” Keith says. “I’m not the type who can just sit in studio — writing/recording or practicing — and feel content. I have to be in front of people.”

Prior to the pandemic, Keith took his soul and soothing vocals all across the country, sharing bills with such legends as Enrique Iglesias, Snarky Puppy, Fastball and Erykah Badu. Fans can expect a whole lot of new music — and that signature energy — from Keith at the inaugural Conroe Crossroads Music Festival.

“I’ve never played in Conroe, so I don’t know exactly what to expect,” Keith says. “But I enjoy the outdoor concert series and local festivals the best because the audiences are diverse and the energy is more pure.” With national festival appearances, official SXSW selections, vaunted Black Fret nominations and a Louisiana Music Prize under his belt, Keith has only begun to impress. - Texas Music Magazine

DONOVAN KEITH RETURNS WITH SOPHISTICATED RELEASE ‘CRUEL FOOLS EYE’
Hailing from the midwest and currently calling Austin, TX home, Donovan Keith is best known for his classic soul vocals and infectious showmanship that has won over audiences time and time again.

Donovan’s uniquely vintage style combining soul, funk, and rock blends well with a variety of musical genres and his universal appeal has seen him open for acts such as Enrique Iglesias, Tower Of Power, the late Charles Bradley, Fastball, Snarky Puppy, and Erykah Badu.

Speaking about the vivid new release, Donovan shares, “Cruel Fools Eye is about the habit of chasing the things that neglect you. Sometimes we tend to be attracted to what our impression of someone is when they’re actually toxic and not good for us at all.

At the same we completely ignore those who are interested in us, who see our value, and would be great for us. Having a Cruel Fools Eye means being so distracted by the toxic that you’re blind to any real connection.”

Adding to how the track was created, Donovan explains, “This is a track inspired by The Temptations and Motown vocal groups. Many of their songs have jazzy or funky rhythm that is upbeat but contrasted with sometimes wistful or pensive lyrics.

I initially wrote the bass line and the rhythm just fell into place. I grew up on that era or music and so when I write songs those influences burst through my creations and I heard the motown-esque backup vocals, the horn hits on the chorus, and the big build of the pre-chorus into the chorus.

Tracked live in Wire Recording in Austin, TX by Stuart Sullivan (Sublime) Mixed Chris Bell (Erykah Badu, Destinys Child) and Mastered by Gavin Lurssen”

Nudging yesteryear while looking forward to the future, ‘Cruel Fools Eye’ is entirely refreshing. - CLOUT

A unique blend of soul, funk and rock come alive on stage with Donovan Keith.

After helming the uncontrollably funky Soul Track Mind out of Austin from 2008 to 2016 and sharing performance bills with such legends as Enrique Iglesias, Bing Crosby and Erykah Badu, frontman Donovan Keith has spent the past few years cultivating his solo act. Everything that made Soul Track Mind a hit—the voice, the energy, the showmanship, the moves—is ever present. He’s kept the music coming with a stream of singles and a five-song EP, Sweet Lies, released this year. The best way to experience Keith’s music remains in a live performance, where his passion and frenetic energy are contagious. - Austin Monthly Magazine

Donovan Keith returns with a signature blend of soul, rock and funk with “Mine”, the latest single off of his debut solo album. Premiering exclusively on Top Shelf Music today, “Mine” is a passionate track with contagious energy and multiple layers to uncover. It proves relatable to anyone who’s found themselves longing for something lost — whether it’s time, youth, love or opportunities.

The track is a perfect blend of his signature sound: soul, rock and a funk groove, with heavy-hitting vocals.

“I always like writing songs with multiple meanings and, while the song obviously sounds like a romantic love interest that was lost through a recent breakup, in reality, I wrote it from the emotional perspective of losing time, youth and opportunity,” states Donovan Keith.

Grandiosely groovy and deliciously dramatic, the track is grounded in thoughtful lyrics that are as introspective as they are dance-inducing. Punctuating big sounds with quiet moments, the track is balanced, fun and impossible not to loop on repeat at least four or five times.

Known as the man who never stops moving, Donovan is recognized for classic soul vocals and an infectious showmanship that wins over audiences time and time again. Midwestern born and raised, Donovan moved to Austin in 2009 and cut his teeth in gritty, low-ceiling dive bars with his first project, Soul Track Mind. Donovan’s one-of-a-kind, dance-infused stage show became beloved by fans and acknowledged by reviewers across the country. Donovan’s uniquely vintage style combining soul, funk and rock genres has seen him open for acts including Enrique Iglesias, Tower Of Power, the late Charles Bradley and Erykah Badu. His music won an official selection at SXSW and a Black Fret nomination as ‘Notable Emerging Artist’ in 2018. As a solo artist, he can be found commanding stages around Texas.

The Austin-based artist is excited to announce the release of “Mine”, with his debut solo album following in April 2022. Building on “Mine”, the album champions the value of genuine human connection in the face of impersonal, analytics-driven trends in music. It explores a uniquely blended genre and amplifies the importance of artists taking a stand, instead of conforming to what’s trending. Catch Top Shelf Music’s special premiere of “Mine” today below, available on all digital outlets tomorrow October 13th. - Top Shelf Magazine