Tag Archive for: Mike Killeen

Turn Out Fine by Mike Killeen

Americana Artist Mike Killeen Releases New Single “Turn Out Fine”

Marking the one year anniversary of the release of his sixth studio album, Ghost, Americana artist Mike Killeen drops the evocative, reflective single, Turn Out Fine. The new song, written by Killeen during the global pandemic of spring 2020, searches for hope and companionship amidst a suddenly altered world, where faith is fading, leadership is failing, and there’s nowhere left to go. 

Killeen observes the forces both natural and man-made which instantly turned life inside out, while looking to both to provide meaning and hope: “There’s Tennessee tornados, And a virus going ‘round, It feels like spring’s been stolen, They say summer’s shutting down.” But in the end, with fine guitar strumming and harmonica threads, he knows, it’ll all “Turn Out Fine.”

Check out Turn Out Fine on your favorite streaming platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon, beginning on May 29, 2020.

Michael Killeen headshot

Mike Killeen’s Latest Album “Ghost” Receives Rave Reviews

Ghost, Mike Killeen, 2019
Ghost, Mike Killeen, 2019

May 2019 marked the release of Mike Killeen’s fifth studio album, GhostProduced by three-time Grammy-nominated drummer, Ken Coomer (Wilco/Uncle Tupelo) in his Cartoon Moon Studios in Nashville, the nine-song album has received praise and kudos from music reviewers. Jeff Clark’s Stomp and Stammer remarked that this album served to showcase Killeen’s smooth vocals with a rootsy rock vibe. In a song by song review, Atlanta Music Grapevine extolled the virtues of the album’s musical structure and integrity. “It is not necessary to know much about Mike or already be invested in his music to immediately take a shine to this record. The song structure philosophy Mike and Ken chose — serving each song over soloing and pushing melody over unnecessary adornment — still has a focus on sonic depth, with interesting layers in every song. The overall effect is one of great balance, a cohesive mix, with music and words upfront rather than any detours focused on any one player. Across much of the album, there is a gentle wash of delay, reverb, and tremolo, giving it an atmospheric, ethereal quality and vocals that feel both big yet intimate.”

Chicago Crowd Surfer may have summed Ghost up best as a “luminescent record.”

Killeen is on tour and writing new songs. Tour schedule can be found at MikeKilleen.com. The Ghost album, in CD and vinyl can be purchased at Saturn 5 Record’s online store or on your favorite music platform.

Ken Coomer in studio

Saturn 5 Records Collaborates with Nashville Producer and Grammy Nominee, Ken Coomer

Saturn 5 Records recently collaborated with Nashville producer Ken Coomer on another joint recording project.  Three-time Grammy nominated Coomer has drummed with Wilco and Uncle Tupelo as well as many other artists such Al Green, Wilco, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris. As a producer, he has created several gold and platinum recordings, including Mexican rock star Chetes’ recent release “Vaquero”.

Ken Coomer with Kristin Englenz at studio

Coomer completed production on Mike Killeen’s full-length album “Ghost” in early 2019. Saturn 5’s latest signed artist, Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz, just completed her debut album with Coomer. It is slated for release in early 2020. Label president Richard J. Lenz and Willie “Chuck” Shivers served as co-executive producers on the album.

Coomer traveled to FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama where he directed production of Englenz’s song “Pray For Rain”. The track features Englenz’s soul searching melody accompanied by the moving vocals of five-time Grammy winning Blind Boys of Alabama. Coomer relates that “If I had a crystal ball and you said that in ten years, fifteen years, three years, you’ll be at FAME in Muscle Shoals recording with the Blind Boys of Alabama. I would have said that isn’t my crystal ball!”

Besides Coomer, Saturn 5 Records has had the privilege of working with several award winning producers including multiple Grammy winner, Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, The Highwomen).

“GHOST”, Mike Killeen’s Latest Album, Launches on Saturn 5 Records

Saturn 5 Records proudly announces the release of “GHOST”! This is Georgia songwriter Mike Killeen’s fifth album. Killeen’s strong lyrics and producer Ken Coomer’s intelligent drumming makes this album ring with Americana sensibilities. The album explores topics of lost loves while celebrating current ones. Having drummed for indie rock bands Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, Coomer adds urgency and longing to the percussive elements. Recorded in Nashville, the CD and vinyl album are available for sale here and at Mike Killeen’s website.

Killeen has always had a way with words, crafting them to subtly tease out the flavor in each lyric like a brewmaster making a great microbrew. His straightforward melodies softly stroke the lyrics without dominating them. The album features nine songs that range from the glass rattling rock of “Total Nonsense and Drunk” to the tear inducing, heartfelt “Decatur Cemetery.”

Mike Killeen performing at Eddie‘s Attic in Decatur, Georgia

Mike Killeen Releases New Album May 10

Singer/songwriter Mike Killeen announced the release of his next album. Produced in Nashville at Cartoon Moon Recording Studio by Ken Coomer, the nine song collection is Killeen’s fifth studio album. Wilco and Uncle Tupelo fans may recognize Coomer as those groups’ bad ass drummer. Still wielding the sticks with a variety of touring artists, this three time Grammy-nominated producer has been working with the likes of Al Green and Stax’s great William Bell. Killeen is set to release his album on May 10, 2019 at the famed Eddie’s Attic venue in Decatur, Georgia.

Poverty Is Real album cover

“Poverty is Real” Featured in Documentary

Atlanta-based Americana folk artist, Mike Killeen’s title track Poverty is Real, is featured with those from Patti Smith and Ziggy Marley in this introspective and fascinating view of philanthropy in the United States. Director Salvatore Alaimo interviews citizens, volunteers, and non-profit leaders to uncover the lack of knowledge of what philanthropy is in our communities, and how anyone can be involved.

Mike Killeen in studio

An introduction to the video can be seen on YouTube at “What is Philanthropy?” documentary trailer.

The film has been touring the United States, accompanied by the director. A free screening of the film is followed by a panel discussion, hosted by the United Way of Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, November 3rd, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Loudermilk Center.

CDs of the album Poverty is Real are available at the Saturn 5 Store, Amazon.com with digital downloads at iTunes and streaming on Spotify.

Three Albums: Poverty Is Real, Universal You, Everybody‘s Out Tonight

S5R Releases Three Albums in August

Three Album Re-Releases Slated for WorldWide Distribution in August

Atlanta-based Americana folk artist, Mike Killeen, and Nashville’s Americana alt-country artist, Nathan Beaver, have both signed independent deals with Saturn 5 Records located in Decatur, Georgia. The first venture for all parties is a re-release of the artists’ most recent recordings with wide distribution to iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon.com, Rhapsody, and other digital media services through an exclusive arrangement with RedEye Worldwide.

“Saturn 5 is expanding, however, its focus is still Americana music,” states President and CEO, Richard Lenz. Building on the success of its first award-winning artist, Eliot Bronson, and leveraging the experience of publishing 12 albums with the national music non-profit, Poverty is Real, Inc., Saturn 5 announced today that is has signed two new artists. Saturn 5 is actively involved in the promotion of Americana music including music event planning and promotion, artist development, and publishing.

Proverty Is Real, Mike Killeen, 2011
Proverty Is Real, Mike Killeen, 2011

“Released in the spring of 2011, Poverty is Real was produced by Atlanta’s Will Robertson. The record is a more muscular presentation of Mike Killeen’s songwriting than found previously, with crunchy electric guitars and raucous crash cymbals appearing throughout. An album with this title might be considered preachy, however, Killeen never goes there, choosing instead compelling arguments and emotions to influence the listener.

Originally from Athens, Georgia and now living in Decatur, Mike counts Bob Dylan, Vic Chesnutt, Nirvana, and Uncle Tupelo among his formative influences. BeAtlanta.com called Poverty is Real, “a collection of beautiful arrangements and meaningful lyrics.” The album’s title track is featured on Director Salvatore Alaimo’s recently released documentary, “What is Philanthropy?”

Nathan Beaver’s southern roots run deep. Don’t be fooled by his choir boy good looks and angelic voice. This alt country singer is badass. Beaver’s full-length album Universal You and the extended play record, Everybody’s Out Tonight, are both being re-released on August 21. Both albums capture Beaver’s distinctive style of smooth-as-oak-barreled-whiskey vocals laced with edgy lyrics.

Universal You, Nathan Beaver, 2010
Universal You, Nathan Beaver, 2010

Released in 2010, Universal You was produced by Atlanta’s Will Robertson. Paste Magazine praised the album as “stunning in its simplicity” while Music News Nashville gets to the core of Beaver’s tunes stating, his “forte is showing intimate moments in time.”

A Georgia native,Universal You was ten years in the making and reveals the care of its owner in musical choice and m Beaver now lives and works in Nashville. Growing up with parents who were lay ministers, Beaver sang weekly with his father. Once in college, he struck out on his own, moving from hymns to pure rock. He was a favorite in the Athens, Georgia music scene which fueled his decision to write songs and produce his own album. ature subject matters.

Everybody’s Out Tonight, Nathan Beaver, 2011
Everybody’s Out Tonight, Nathan Beaver, 2011

Beaver has shared the stage with Shawn Mullins, Clay Cook, Ari Heist, Bain Mattox, and Matthew Kahler, to name a few. Everybody’s Out Tonight, produced in 2011 at Atlanta’s Gallop Studios, is infused with a country music influence that seems to sit just right with Beaver’s consistently thoughtful lyrics and smooth vocals. Physical copies of all albums are available here at Saturn 5 Records. Download tracks or the album at iTunes or Amazon.com, and stream on Spotify, Pandora or other digital service providers.

All three albums are available on Amazon.com or right here at the Saturn 5 Store.

New Saturn 5 Records’ Artists: Mike Killeen and Nathan Beaver

Saturn 5 Signs Mike Killeen and Nathan Beaver

S5R Announces Two New Artists to Label

Saturn 5 announced on August 19th that it has signed two Americana artists to its label. Atlanta-based Mike Killeen and Nashville’s Nathan Beaver are now part of the label’s growing platform of the new generation of roots music. The first venture is re-release of three albums from the artist for wide digital distribution.

Next generation of musicians - silhouettes

Saturn 5 Supports the Next Generation of Musicians

Wanna help the next generation of musicians? See you for afternoon cocktails and two incredible musical talents at Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, Georgia on Sunday, April 26th at 4 p.m. to support the Drew Charter School band. Oliver Wood headlines with Atlanta’s own Eliot Bronson as special guest. “Drew Charter School has a big ambition — to provide a cradle-to-college pipeline so that every student living in its Atlanta community graduates high school with college admittance in hand.

The school’s ambition is an integral part of an even bigger one — to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty that has been endemic to its section of Atlanta.” (HuffPost, Karin Chenoweth, 12.15.14)

It’s time to show our kids that we support them. It made not make national news like recent Atlanta schools have, however your support of the band boosters will help provide youngsters with life changing music instruction. And that puts a song in everyone’s heart!

More details at EddiesAttic.com