Meet Folsom Keller | Music Producer / Audio Engineer & Multi Instrumentalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Folsom Keller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Folsom, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As far back as i can remember I’ve always wanted to be an artist. My family are all artists themselves. My Mother has always been a fashion designer, while my father is a musical theater actor turned screenwriter. When I was a small child my father was in a rockabilly band that rehearsed in my bedroom (it was a small apartment). I remember the bassist hauling a massive instrument up the staircase and knowing in that instance that the upright bass was my calling. Several years passed and my father’s band split up. All the while my passion for the bass faded until I was 9 years old. Finally given the opportunity to be taught by a family friend, I picked up the 4 string and have never put it down. Knowing all I wanted or needed to be was a rockstar.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What I’m currently most excited about is my new Outlaw Country solo album: Beer Battered Ballads & Other Bastard Songs. All written, recorded, performed, mixed and mastered by myself. It’s set to release sometime towards end the of May. Professionally however, this summer of ’24 I will returning to my second season of audio production as A2 in downtown Los Angeles at Grand Performances. A non profit organization celebrating its 38th anniversary. Being the longest running presenter of free outdoor concerts, poetry, theater and dance in downtown Los Angeles. Audio engineering has always come natural to me. I’ve been recording music since I started learning how to play it. From my own songs to my friends bands to a grimey night club in North Hollywood, I’ve got at least 10 years of cutting my teeth with all walks of life. Whether or not they like how I do it is something else altogether, but to get this far I must be doing something right!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh goodness im such an introvert, getting out of the valley is like pulling teeth. That being said, I’m a sucker for a good meal, and there are plenty in the valley. My favorite late night (life savers) is Kluckin Chicken. A small chain here in LA that has the best, most flavorful nashville fried chicken I have yet to find. Dave’s, eat your heart out. The valley is also home to one of the best burgers in LA. Bill’s Burgers on Oxnard in Van Nuys is a cash only, and almost a 60 year old establishment that takes no modifications and always delivers. But act fast, he’s only open tue-friday 9am-4pm. Plenty of great little bars and sushi spots on Ventura Boulevard the whole way through. But if your up early in Malibu, I’d stop by Lilly’s for one of their mouth watering burritos. Their house made salsa verde is to die for. If you’re lucky they might have a jar or two of that salsa for sale at the grocery next door. But of course if you wish to leave LA, I’d head up north a little ways, towards the Madonna inn for a quick day trip. Or head east to the desert and hang out in a pool with an ice cold beer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family for sure. My Mother for her punk installation of the D.I.Y. or die mentality. She’s currently running her own small business selling Mexican inspired spooky sweaters, PUNTO OSCURO. My Father for his vast musical tastes and being my “guinea pig” in the studio. My aunts, uncles, and cousins for their artistic support and encouragement. And of course my band Deep Fryd Dynamite, for being together to create and grow in any way, shape, or form since ’08.

Website: https://www.folsomkeller.weebly.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/folsomkeller

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeepFrydDynamite1

Other: https://folsomkeller.bandcamp.com/track/she-fucked-all-my-friends