Interview: Besides music Trail of Dead member Conrad Keely is a gifted visual artist
Music fans might know Conrad Keely’s art through his band …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead without realizing Keely often designed and created the album artwork. Music isn’t where Keely’s creative endeavors end. The man is a gifted painter, working in a variety of mediums; oils, acrylics, pen and ink on paper, canvas and even wood surfaces. I sat down with Keely for a video interview and we discussed all aspects of his art and where it might head in the future.
More on Keely’s art from his website: “Keely’s art and music often feels expansive and dramatic, with shifting dynamics and moods that create a journey-like experience for listeners. Like his artwork, Keely’s music incorporates layers of sound, blending guitars, orchestral elements, and atmospheric textures to create a rich auditory experience. Both his visual and musical work share a sense of grandeur and complexity, inviting viewers and listeners to immerse themselves in his artistic universe.”
For those unfamiliar with Conrad Keely, he is a musician, artist, and writer, best known as the lead singer of the American rock band …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, often abbreviated as Trail of Dead. I first encountered their music on the USA Network show Farm Club in 2001, hosted by former MTV VJ, Matt Pinfield. I’d organized a watch party to cheer on El Paso’s hometown heroes, At The Drive-In, and U2 and Trail of Dead were also featured guests that night. Trail of Dead’s performance was incredible! I became a fan instantly. Little did I know that years later, I’d have my first real interaction with Keely at Austin’s iconic Hotel Vegas.
Check out the video of Trail of the Dead’s performance on Farm Club.
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Keely and discuss his visual art. The interview took place at his home, where he was incredibly patient and treated me like family. Although we’d normally focus on music, this time, we talked about his artwork. We discussed his passion for painting, his approach to color selection, and his favorite subjects. It was eye-opening to learn about different aspects of painting. Keely’s enthusiasm and generosity made the conversation a memorable experience.
For more on Conrad’s art visit his website at and make sure to follow his Instagram account to keep up with new projects he’s working on.
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