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Keywest is an Irishpop-folk band formed in Dublin.[1] The band has released several commercially successful albums in Ireland, some of which have been awarded platinum status.[2]
The band was initially formed as a duo by founding members Andrew Kavanagh and Andrew Glover, who were childhood friends in Artane, Dublin.[3] They began street performances (also known as busking) in Galway,[4] before relocating to Dublin to perform on Grafton Street, a location known for its street performers.[5]
2012: The Message
Their debut album, The Message, was released in 2012 via Alphastar Records. It peaked at number 15 on the Irish charts and number 2 on the Irish iTunes chart. The album was self-produced, with engineering by Mark Needham, who has worked with The Killers, Katy Perry, Fleetwood Mac, Neon Trees, and Dan Frampton (The Script).[6] The album was released as a double CD, with the first disc containing the main album and second disc being the UndeliveredEP.
The band was described as Ireland's most-played Irish independent artist of 2012.[7]The Message has since been certified triple-platinum in Ireland.[8][citation needed]
In 2012, Keywest was nominated for Best New Act at the Meteor Awards, and The Message was nominated for Best Debut Album in the Hot Press Hotties Awards.[9]
The band followed their debut album with the Electric Love EP, which featured the title track and lead single, "Electric Love". The single reached number one on the Irish charts and was released independently through the band's label, Sonic Realm Records.[11]
2015: Joyland
In 2014, the band won Best Street Artist/Busker at the Hot Press Awards.[12] In 2015, the band was fined for exceeding noise levels under Dublin's busking by-law.[13]
Keywest released their second album, Joyland, in September 2015, and it debuted at number 2 on the Official Irish Chart; the album reached number one the following week.
In 2014 and 2015, the band won the 98FM award for Dublin's best street artist. In 2015, the band was voted Most Promising Artist in Hot Press.[14]
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.[15]
2018: True North
The band's third album, True North, was released on 30 March 2018.[citation needed] It entered the Irish charts at number 3, reaching number 1 on the Independent Music Chart.[16] Keywest received three nominations at the 2018 Irish Post Music Awards: Best Song, Best Album, and Best Band.[17]
2019: Ordinary Superhero
In November 2018, Keywest signed to Marshall Records.[18] 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.[19]
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 front-line workers. The music video for the song depicted front-line workers during the pandemic.[20]
As of 2025, the band operates independently, funding its activities through direct sales and platforms like Patreon.[21]
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