The Keening—the solo music project of Rebecca Vernon—weaves a web of lush orchestration, American Gothic sensibilities, and wintry murder ballads set against a backdrop of dark, shimmering folk. Vernon’s previous band SubRosa echoes in The Keening’s chamber doom, flowing with flute, strings, harp, French horn, piano, organ, and hammered dulcimer. Ultra-melodic forays into haunted bogs, endless wells, secret crimes, jeweled cages, and the unenviable curse of being a murder witness abound. Dark as this sounds, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Rebecca Vernon was the owner, lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Salt Lake City’s acclaimed SubRosa. She ended that 13-year project in 2018 to focus on The Keening.
Celebrated “Engine-ear” and bassist Billy Anderson collaborated with Vernon and Witch Mountain drummer Nathan Carson as co-producers on the recording of the album. A host of Portland’s finest session musicians lent their talents to the album, including Andrea Morgan of Exulansis on violin. Anderson, Carson, Morgan, and guitarist Christy Cather (Ludicra, Ails) form the nucleus of Vernon’s new live backing band.
The Keening released its debut album, Little Bird, via Relapse Records in October of 2023. In short order, the live band displayed its formidable stage prowess as direct support to the recently reunited Agalloch at a sold-out show in Portland’s historic Crystal Ballroom. The band’s fifth performance was at Decibel Beer and Metal Fest in Denver, which coincided with Little Bird appearing at #10 on Decibel Magazine’s annual Top 40 album list.
Now the band is poised to make its European debut on the main stage at Roadburn, followed by a month of dates in support of Bell Witch. An epic US tour in support of Pallbearer will take The Keening to most American markets over the summer of 2024.
