Episode 240: Zack Keim

pisode 240 of Look At My Records features an interview with Pittsburgh-based songwriter Zack Keim. Keim just released his long-awaited second full-length, Battery Lane, earlier this month. The record represents a big step forward in sound for the 27-year-old musician, as the 11 songs build off of the solid foundation that Keim established on his stripped-down 2017 debut, First Step. Drawing heavy influence from Dion’s 1975 album Born To Be With You, Keim leaned into Phil Spector’s wall-of-sound production style to create an immersive listening experience on Battery Lane. During the interview, Zack and Tom chatted all about the album, including some of the stories behind its standout tracks, the piecemeal recording process, and how decades-old songs like “Alice” evolved over time. Plus, Keim shared some pandemic-era stories and dove into his history with the garage rock band The Nox Boys. He selected some awesome records from Tijuana Panthers, The Velvet Underground, The Rain Parade, and more! You can follow along with the official playlist for Episode 240.You can purchase Battery Lane on vinyl via Bandcamp. The record is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with Keim by following him on Instagram. Keim kicks off a tour in support of Battery Lane tonight at Comet Ping Pong in Washington D.C. Tomorrow night, he’ll be playing at Alphaville in Brooklyn. A full list of dates is below! Get your tickets here.