Highly praised absurdist singer, Joseph Keckler, to perform in New Haven
I consider myself a singer and a writer in an un-boundaried way.
A singer who defies musical boundaries by combining reality and fantasy, humor and the mundane with a mutating vibrato sound, is set to perform at Yale Schwarzman Center on Thursday, Oct. 5, in “An Evening with Joseph Keckler.”
“I consider myself a singer and a writer in an un-boundaried way. One thing I do is write these short vignettes often drawn from observation or nights of misadventure … and I might turn those into a faux Italian aria,” he explained.
It was an interesting journey for Keckler to get where he is today. He went to the University of Michigan, earning a degree in painting. Then, he headed to New York where he started experimenting in several different art forms: playwriting, monologuing, performing his music and opera along with other areas of the arts sphere.
“I was working all sorts of weird jobs, doing a lot at once, so eventually I decided to synthesize all the different elements into one sort of performance,” Keckler shared.
His upcoming show on Thursday will feature songs that are comedic and some that are not. Keckler said audiences can expect the songs to display characters that are “outside” their own life.
Since he will be performing to an audience that has students in attendance, Keckler shared what he wants young, burgeoning artists to know.
Joseph Keckler, Photo: Dominic M. Mercier
I think that people should try to follow their dreams, pursue their passion and their own vision, and also not necessarily be influenced by the increasingly sort of corporate culture that we’re immersed in...
“I think that people should try to follow their dreams, pursue their passion and their own vision, and also not necessarily be influenced by the increasingly sort of corporate culture that we’re immersed in,” Keckler said. “And, especially when you’re really young, you have a kind of freedom, so go for it.”
Keckler discussed how he feels like he is accomplishing all of his goals. He is a performer and also a published writer, where his work has been featured in VICE, McSweeney’s among others. Keckler explained how he is grateful for all his experiences.
“I’d love to have a bigger audience. I’d love to release some music. I’d love to do a bunch of things. We’re getting some films. So in a way, I’m doing everything I wanted. I’ve performed for 20 people, I’ve performed to 200 people. No matter what, it’s all good. Never performed for 20,000 people, that might be too many,” he said, laughing.
His story and essay collection, Dragon at the Edge of a Flat World, was published in 2018. He currently tours with his production, Train With No Midnight. He wrote, composed and stars in a forthcoming film, directed by Laura Terruso, and is currently working on a new EP.
