In summer 2020, Keith began a recording collaboration with Andy Bell, an old acquaintance from Darwen, in Lancashire, where they’d both had bands at the same high school.
During the 2020 lockdown, Andy sent Keith a short instrumental acoustic guitar composition. Keith, who’s always been as much a producer as a musician, added several instruments to it, turning it into a short instrumental. It worked out well, and they agreed to do more together.
Lowly Man EP
That autumn, they started work on a collection of songs with a psychedelic vibe. It turned out that Andy’s tunesmithery and Keith’s electrickery were complementary. They completed the Lowly Man EP in February 2021.
Alpha Dogs EP
Spurred on by positive feedback, the duo continued writing. This time, Andy developed a lyrical theme based around male personality types, and Keith introduced more musical experimentation. They quickly completed the Alpha Dogs EP in April.
The Lowly Man Album
Keith relocated to Dorset, and work continued on new songs in the summer. The new material added elements of electronica, psychedelic blues, and a strange pseudo-live ballad. With enough material for an album, they compiled the 11 songs for release in the autumn.
The Lowly Man album was released in October 2021, as a limited number of handmade CDs, given to supporters as a thank you. It was put on general release in December.
Pine Walk
In 2023, after a 2 year hiatus, Keith rediscovered a composition from the early 80s, which he’d always wanted to re-record. Andy added poignant new lyrics, and Pine Walk was released on 29th December.