Brooklyn-raised singer-songwriter Steven Keene came up in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village in the ’80s and ’90s alongside the likes of Beck, Suzanne Vega, and Shawn Colvin while being heavily influenced by the songwriting of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Leonard Cohen. After that, he continued to make a name for himself in the folk scene with his albums like 1995’s No Alternative and 2001’s Set Clock. After a bit of a hiatus, Keene has been seeing a resurgence lately, and the music world has welcomed him back with open arms.
Today, Keene is debuting the video for his new song “Notice Me,” a biting commentary on the anti-social nature of social media and the addictive, dark side of the medium. With a video full of viral-video imagery, it’s the perfect accompaniment to a sort of modern social protest tune.
“‘Notice Me’ is about society’s obsession with projecting a curated version of individuality—a loud cry for attention often rooted in deep insecurity,” says Keene. “It’s like ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’ Everyone is applauding the spectacle, but no one’s admitting the truth. Social media thrives on that same cycle of validation and notoriety. I grew up in a generation without social media, so over the past few decades, I’ve seen how posting online has shifted—often becoming toxic. Sure, it helps you stay connected with friends, but it also opens the door to constant comparison, and that can really take a toll on your self-esteem.”
“Notice Me” is streaming everywhere tomorrow, and you can presave it here. Ironically, you can follow Steven Keene on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for future updates.
Photo courtesy of Steven Keene
