SaskMusic

“One of Regina’s newest discoveries to hit the music scene, the oh so talented Keiffer Mclean is a joy to work with and to present…he draws the audience in and holds them long after he’s done performing….”  Carol Cairns - Executive Director - The Artful Dodger Cafe & Music Emporium

19 year-old Regina singer-songwriter, Keiffer Mclean is riding the waves of a very successful year with a recent Canadian Folk Music Award nomination and the release of “Head Full Of Diamonds” - a new single and music video from his forthcoming debut album, Drama In The Attic.

In late 2012 Keiffer released a self-titled EP, which features seven tracks and showcases his admiration for poetry, simplistic vocal style, acoustic finger-style guitar work, and burgeoning talents as a singer-songwriter. The EP helped propel him into 2013 and made a generous impact on the Saskatchewan music scene, scoring first-time performances at the Cathedral Village Arts Festival, Regina Folk Festival, Gateway Festival, Ness Creek Music Festival, Symphony Under the Sky, and JUNOFest. Keiffer was also nominated in the Emerging Artist category at the 2013 Mayor’s Arts & Business Awards in Regina.

This year is proving to be even more exciting having now received a nomination for a Canadian Folk Music Award (CFMA) in the category of Young Performer of the Year. Keiffer is thrilled about the nomination and says, “I feel honoured just to be nominated for a CFMA. I haven't a clue what to expect and I’ve never played in Alberta before. We are set up to play a nominee showcase on Saturday evening at the Calgary Folk Club and I'm absolutely floored to play my heart out for Calgary.”

The CFMA weekend, November 8-10, 2013, celebrates and promotes Canadian folk music in all its forms. The ninth annual Awards Gala takes place on November 10 at the University of Calgary’s University Theatre. For more info on the CFMA, visit http://folkawards.ca.

Keiffer has also released a striking music video for his song, “Headful of Diamonds”, which is the single from his forthcoming full-length album, Drama In The Attic. A successful video launch party was held at The Artful Dodger Café on October 23 where Keiffer performed an opening set, the video was screened, and a Q & A session followed with Keiffer and Rob Mclean (percussion), Regina Photographer Greg Huszar (Director/Cinematographer) and Don List from Birdsong Communications (Editor). The video also features the work of British Columbia artist, Derek Frankowski (Cinematographer, Assistant Director), who was not able to be present that evening.

Chris Morin of OminoCity says of the single, “Basing his songs off an acoustic guitar along with a wide range of eclectic influences, Mclean’s latest single features a simple, winding acoustic melody and plaintive vocal lines. The results are a devastatingly haunting prairies folk song.”

Shot in Ogema SK, the video is certainly full of contemplative and evocative imagery, highlighting the landscape of the prairies. Check out the video for “Head Full of Diamonds” here: http://vimeo.com/77748797

Keiffer’s songwriting is vastly mature beyond his years. While his main instrument is acoustic guitar, he comes from a musical family, and is adept on many instruments including the piano, melodica, accordion and hand-drums. Keiffer performs solo or is often backed by The Curiosity Club, which includes Rob Mclean (percussion) and rotating guests from the Saskatchewan music scene.

Stay tuned for more from Keiffer Mclean in the next few months as he finishes recording Drama In The Attic and plans a Regina CD Release.