Stories Meant to be Heard: Keith Sanders
Words by Abby L. Johnson Photos by Eric Morales
Keith Sanders’ life is characterized by cacophony. From the beginning, he was surrounded by the swelling sounds of the delta blues. Born in Georgia and raised in Mississippi, Keith’s early years set him on a path bound for rhythmic creation.
“So I was a child prodigy and started playing trumpet at the age of three. I wish I was joking,” Keith acknowledges with a twinkle in his eye. He quickly pivots and admits maybe he wasn’t a prodigy, but he certainly did pick up a trumpet at that early age. Keith’s father was a band director while also pursuing a doctorate in music and often had an array of instruments around. Keith gravitated towards the horn, and his father quickly took charge of his son’s musical education. He admits that his dad’s musical prowess is a constant looming presence in his development as an artist. His dad was always pushing him to grow, directly or indirectly. “I picked up the guitar at age 20 because I thought it was an instrument he couldn’t play. Turns out, I was wrong,” Keith chuckles.
In addition to his musical talents, Keith is a natural born storyteller. It’s clear he capitalizes on these strengths while captivating audiences. “I write from scenarios, sometimes they’re mine, sometimes they’re somebody else’s.” Even when it’s an imagined or borrowed story, the tales Keith spins ring with truth. “That’s the one thing. I want to be heard. I don’t care what may come of it… When I sing, I want it to hit you in your core.” Keith admits, “When I first started [performing], I’d pick one person in the crowd and just sing to this one person. They didn’t know it but I did. And if I could move them emotionally, I’d done my job.”
He cites his biggest influences as Bill Withers, Jimi Hendrix, his father, and the delta blues he grew up surrounded by. “[Bill] tells a story in as few amount of words as possible. I like that style of writing. There are not many people who will paint you a portrait, and Bill Withers is like Picasso,” Keith muses and adds, “There it is. It’s very direct, straightforward. I like that.”
Though he puts music out under his own moniker, currently, Keith is also a member of the Austin-based band, Brother Thunder. The five piece soulful, psych-inspired rock group put out an EP titled Into the Fire in 2021 (Black Pumas fans will likely find they have an affinity for this group, their distinctive sounds being near cousins). He can also be found playing solo shows or leading Keith Sanders & the Dirty Bandanas at venues across the city. He’s found a place to grow in Austin noting that the musician community here is supportive, and that “everybody wants to see everybody succeed.”
Contact:
@keithsandersmusic
@brotherthundermusic
Listen to Keith on Spotify
Listen to Brother Thunder on Spotify
Listen to Keith on Apple Music
Listen to Brother Thunder on Apple Music
