Musician, luthier, author, historian and songwriter; Aaron Keim is a roots music renaissance man. As The Quiet American, Aaron performs traditional and original folk music on guitar, ukulele and banjo. (which he builds himself!) Inspired by depression era string band music, old timey gospel, lo-fi garage rock and the modern indie-folk scene, The Quiet American is a compelling mix of old and new.
After falling in love with music in the school band and choir, Aaron studied music education and french horn in college. He stumbled upon an old time hootenany outside of Cimmaron, NM in 1999, which inspired him to learn the upright bass and start The Paradise String Band. While teaching orchestra in the public schools, Aaron began his career building and restoring string instruments. In 2003, Aaron moved to Colorado and earned a master's degree in music history from University of Colorado. In 2004, Aaron founded Boulder Acoustic Society, which has played over 1,000 shows all over the US, focusing on a genre bending mix of folk, rock, jazz and classical. While traveling with BAS, Aaron taught workshops and masterclasses on roots music, studied banjo, ukulele and guitar with the masters, performed for huge festival crowds and embedded himself in the modern folk scene.
In 2009, The Quiet American recorded his first solo record, on an 1890's wax cylinder machine! Like a voice from the past that seems to know the future, this self titled release is a favorite of old time music and audiophiles alike. His newest CD, "The Quiet American Vol. II," is a showcase of Aaron as a solo act. The original songs sound like classics and the traditionals sound fresh and new. Folky dreamscapes, distorted banjo, plunky ukulele and haunting vocals are presented with an old timey, lo-fi approach.
As a performer, Aaron is mostly seen touring with indie folk string band Boulder Acoustic Society. On the side you can also see him in Flatfoot, Swing State and The Quiet American; playing Americana, trad jazz and jug band music. Although trained on the french horn in college, Aaron has taught himself to play the string bass, guitar, banjo, steel guitar and ukulele since 2000. In 2005, Aaron and Nicole released "Born in the Country Raised in Town," which features their diverse folk/blues/jazz tastes. In 2010, Aaron released "The Quiet American," which was recorded on wax cylinder!
Aaron honed his writing skills while working on his master's degree in music history at CU-Boulder. His specialty is depression era string bands and roots music culture. You may have read some of his work in Fretboard Journal, Old Time Herald, Pow'r Pickin, Fret Knot Magazine and Uke Mag.
While teaching public school orchestra fresh out of college, Aaron taught himself how to repair the musical instruments that the budget left behind. His interest in repair and lutherie has led him to start Beansprout Banjo Company, www.thebeansprout.com.
When Aaron is on the road, he often teaches workshops on ukulele, old time banjo, fingerstyle guitar and string bass. When he is home, he pays the bills teaching lessons to people eager to learn from his diverse knowledge.
Besides Beansprout banjos and ukes (which he builds) Aaron plays Mike DaSilva ukulele's, Myamoe ukuleses, an OME Juniper banjo and an old Kay bass.
