Angie Keilhauer is Singing Her Achy Breaky Heart Out
Written By: Amanda Lenox
Photographed By: Nick Isabella
Big breaks aren’t easy for a musician. No one understands this more than country artist Angie Keilhauer. Keilhauer was a full-time engineering student working in a Mustang-only salvage yard, when she was offered a job as a full-time musician on Carnival Cruise Lines. Keilhauer was able to pay for her first album with the money she made on the cruise, and started touring the East Coast—when she was invited to audition for “The Voice.”
“You don’t see the number of times that you have to try before that break happens. A lot of times people think failure is a scary thing, but a lot of times, it just makes it better when you are actually able to make it,” Keilhauer said.
Although Keilhauer was only on the show for three rounds on Blake Shelton’s team, she enjoyed the creative and supportive environment. Despite the competition on the show, it was easier to be competing with people who became friends. “As a person that loves music, you can’t help but to be fans of the people around you,” Keilhauer said. Also, as an added bonus they have great advisors to help them on their journey. Keilhauer remembers one of the biggest compliments she received from Gwen Stefani: “One of my favorite things that you have, is that I believe you. Never lose that.”
After winning a singer-songwriter competition at the Del Mar County Fair, Josh Williford from Acoustic Spot Talent reached out to Keilhauer, and was interested in booking her to play more shows in the San Diego area. Now, Keilhauer has played throughout the country, with several gigs being in San Diego. However, she always makes sure that those shows have a “laid back, cool” vibe. Fans can find Keilhauer playing at some of her favorite venues in San Diego, including Le Papagayo, Union Kitchen & Tap and Alfonso’s of La Jolla.
Keilhauer is currently working on her next album and is loving the songwriting process. She finds her best songs are being written while moving, on flights and in the car. “They have to be perfect. There’s something so magical and addicting and beautiful about saying something exactly the way you want to say it,” said Keilhauer. She finds inspiration from artists like Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge and Johnny Cash. She’s also enjoyed the collaborative process of co-writing, and some of the songs that have come from that process. Keilhauer hopes to release her next album winter of this year.
Girl Next Door: A typical San Diego day for Keilhauer is taking her Boston Terrier, Cowboy Max, to the Del Mar dog beach, going surfing with friends, supporting friends who teach yoga at Yoga Bergamot and stopping by Lou’s Records.
Goin’ Viral: After posting a cover of Kenny Chesney’s “American Kids,” Chesney got a hold of it, shared it on his personal Facebook page and in a national press release.
Angie Keilhauer’s Playlist
“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
“Blame it On Me” – Adam Wakefield
“Beer in the Fridge” – Walker Hayes
“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert
“Kill a Word” – Eric Church
“Rich” – Maren Morris
Angie Keilhauer | @angiekeilhauer
Photoshoot Location:
Lou’s Records
434 N Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
760.753.1382
