Today, Ireland's own David Keenan released the second single off his forthcoming debut album, A Beginner's Guide to Bravery, set for release on 10 January 2020. The single, 'Altar Wine', is an exploration of the insecurities that Keenan has experienced personally and those that he perceives within Ireland.

“The sculpting of this visual piece of work demanded that I face – head on – all of said traumas and insecurities and repressions that lived in me since childhood," said Keenan. "Art heals, that's why I pursue it. It gives joys, insights and reliefs from the many madnesses that come and go. As a young man I felt the many stings of sensitivity when greeted with a conditioned societal sense of toxic masculinity which dogged, and still dogs, rural Ireland and the rest of the world."

Working with Director Mark William Logan, the two created a manic, raw visual backdrop for the haunting vocal track.

“'Altar Wine' is a film exploring the exorcism and ultimate relief from the pain and trauma we have all endured as a result of our humanness," explained Logan. "The ancestral trauma which was passed down to us by our elders, who were themselves victims. Victims of oppression, judgement and abuse. 'Altar Wine' is a film about the demonification of the feminine by religious institutions, the abuse of our planet by capitalism and the fear based trauma passed down through parents.”

"Through the medium of this video and as a result of my relationship with director Mark William Logan I felt ready to embrace all of the trauma within and without,” added Keenan.

‘Altar Wine’ is the next step on a path that the young writer has carved over the past three years. In that time, he has developed a loyal, ever-growing following with a series of acclaimed self-released EPs, and has built his own sound-world of songs and characters, while mapping out and shaping his debut album.

Keenan is wrapping up a European and UK tour supporting Hozier and will embark on his own headline tour throughout Ireland, the US, the UK, and Europe in anticipation of his album's release.

David Keenan recently took part in the 'Now We're Talking' campaign to widen the conversation around mental health. This campaign is a partnership between Hot Press and Lyons Tea and Pieta House. You can watch his rendition of 'Rise Up' here.

Check out the music video for 'Altar Wine' here:

Tour Dates:

2019

October

3rd October - The Palladium Theatre, London*
4th October - The Palladium Theatre, London*
5th October - The Palladium Theatre, London*
*supporting Hozier

7th October - The Islington, London (headline show)
17th October - The Bowery Electric, New York City
22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25th October - Irish Arts Centre, New York City

November

1st November - Puca Festival - Drogheda, IE
2nd November - Crossing Borders Festival - The Hague, NL
30th November - Skylite Room, Warrenpoint, NI

December

7th December - Ruby Room, Castlebar, IE
14th December - Roisin Dubh, Galway, IE
15th December - Dolans Warehouse, Limerick, IE
19th December - INEC, Killarney, IE
20th December - Live at St Luke’s, Cork, IE
22nd & 23rd December - Spirit Store, Dundalk, IE

2020

January

11th January -The Empire, Belfast, NI 13th January - The Olympia, Dublin, NI

March

5th March - Edinburgh, Mash House, Edinburgh, UK
6th March - Glasgow, King Tut's
7th March - Surf Cafe, Newcastle, UK
8th March - Yes, Manchester, UK
10th March - The Cookie Jar, Leicester, UK
11th March - Cafe Totem, Sheffield, UK
12th March - Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, UK
13th March - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, UK
15th March - Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK
16th March - The Joiners, Southampton, UK
17th March - Moth Club, London, UK
19th March - Le Pop-Up du Label, Paris, FR
21st March - Paradiso (upstairs), Amsterdam, NL
22nd March - Brotfabrik, Frankfurt, DE
25th March - Papiersaal, Zurich, CH
26th March - Ampere, Munich, DE
27th March - Chelsea, Vienna, AU
28th March - Chapeau Rouge, Prague, CZ
30th March - Poglos, Warsaw, PL

April

1st April - Badehaus, Berlin, DE
2nd April - Nochtspeicher, Hamburg, DE
3rd April - Ideal Bar, Copenhagen, DK
4th April - Krøsset, Olso, NO