Keegan McInroe’s latest album, Neon John, serves as a poignant exploration of the nuances found in romantic misadventures. The Fort Worth troubadour shifts from the political themes of his previous work, such as the 2017 album A Good Old Fashioned Protest, to delve into the complexities of love, desire, and heartbreak with a signature dry humor that has characterized his music in past projects, including Dusty Passports and Empty Beds.
In Neon John, McInroe’s reflections on the emotional turmoil of his troubadour lifestyle provide a refreshing counterpoint to today’s often heavy news cycle. One track, “Wild and Free,” encapsulates this sentiment with the lyrics: “Well, it ain’t no kind of mystery / I’d had a bit of history / With women who have tried to tie me down / But when I pick up the rope myself / And offer it to someone else / It always seems to wind up on the ground.” Here, he deftly captures the struggle between loneliness and the desire for connection, weaving humor into the fabric of sadness.
In a recent phone interview, McInroe shared his thoughts on the album’s themes. “Yeah, so I’ve collected a lot of these, uh, romantic misadventures, if you can believe it,” he stated. “They wouldn’t necessarily have to be misadventures, but in my case, they almost always are. There are eight songs on the new album, but I really have so many more.”
While McInroe may not have found success in love, he certainly found fortune in the creation of Neon John. During a performance in Bluff Dale, he introduced the title track and mentioned his intention to include it on an upcoming album. This caught the attention of an audience member, who later supported the production of the album financially, a twist of fate that McInroe is grateful for.
The title track, “Neon John,” paints a vivid picture of a likable character navigating the complexities of a red-light district. McInroe’s gravelly baritone delivers lines such as, “Neon John, will it fill the hole / All the pleasures you have known?” with a blend of humor and melancholy. Throughout the album, he balances authenticity and wit, with each of the seven additional tracks echoing this emotional depth.
“Blackout Beauty,” a collaboration with Fort Worth musician Matt Tedder, offers a spirited ode to one-night encounters, embracing the aftermath with a lightheartedness that borders on carefree. Conversely, “Post-Wedding Weekend Blues” captures a more somber reflection, lamenting, “She’s got a man / All I’ve got is the muse.”
McInroe’s narrative style allows listeners to find humor in the otherwise awkward aftermath of romantic entanglements, where the remnants of passionate encounters often lead to a mix of nostalgia and regret.
The album is a joy to experience, thanks to the skillful production by Ben Hussey at Melody Mountain Studios in Stephenville. The instrumentation, featuring bassist Aden Bubeck and drummer Grady Don Sandlin, lends a buoyant, foot-tapping rhythm to McInroe’s storytelling. With the financial support from his benefactor, McInroe was able to assemble a talented studio band, including notable musicians like Gary Grammer on harmonica and Morris Holdahl on guitar and lap steel, enhancing the richness of the album’s sound.
At the heart of McInroe’s artistry is his commitment to storytelling. With over two decades of musical experience, he has traversed not only Texas but various parts of the United States and Europe, gathering a wealth of anecdotes along the way. During our conversation, he was en route to his next gig, reflecting on his recent time spent at the Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans and a series of performances across Texas.
Despite his focus on romantic tales in Neon John, McInroe acknowledges the current landscape, hinting at future projects that may address contemporary issues. “I am working on a concept album with a friend that isn’t as on-the-nose as A Good Old Fashioned Protest was,” he revealed. “There’s a lot of things right now to inspire those kinds of songs, so that will probably be [the next album] if it gets written in a reasonable amount of time or I’m just itching to make something, but if not, I have sequels to Neon John for days.”
Keegan McInroe will perform live with Heidi Holton at The Post in Fort Worth on Friday at 8 PM. Tickets are available for $15.
