Joseph Keckler
Applauded by the New York Times as a “major vocal talent with a range that shatters conventional boundaries… and a trickster’s dark wit,” Joseph Keckler is a musician, writer, songwriter and multifaceted creator. His work has been presented by NPR Tiny Desk, Lincoln Center, Centre Pompidou, and many others. His writing has appeared in publications including McSweeney’s and Lithub. His story and essay collection, “Dragon at the Edge of a Flat World” was published in 2018 and in 2019 he premiered two evening-length performances pieces, including the critically acclaimed Train With No Midnight, and toured the United States as rock group Sleater-Kinney’s national support act. He will tour Australia on double bills with Lydia Lunch in March of 2024 and is currently recording new music and working on several film projects.
Joseph Keckler
November 2025
Following its premiere at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Joseph Keckler will be in residence developing and presenting a showing of A Good Night in the Trauma Garden. Joseph Keckler‘s new performance piece weaves together original new songs — lush ballads, ominous grooves — with a vivid narrative portrait of a wild and unforgettable friend, meditating on what it means to be a classic.
Written, composed, and performed by Joseph Keckler. Joining him are Grace Bergere (guitar), Matthew Dean Marsh (piano), Lavinia Pavlish (violin), and Kevin Shea (drums). Lighting design by Ayumu “Poe” Saegusa, cinematography by Stepan Liubimov. Co-produced by Michael Sharkey. A Good Night in the Trauma Garden was commissioned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Live Arts and co-commissioned by ArtYard and Coffey Street Studios. This performance is the culmination of a weeklong residency at ArtYard.
Joseph Keckler is a singer, writer, and multifaceted creator. Keckler has performed everywhere from dive bars and DIY venues to NPR Tiny Desk, Centre Pompidou, and Lincoln Center. His story and essay collection Dragon at the Edge of a Flat World was published by Turtle Point Press. This year, he has appeared at Big Ears Festival and headlined an Australian tour. He is currently working on new recordings.
January – February 2024
Performance Residency
Joseph Keckler will be in the residence in the leadup to a performance, highlighting songs, stories, and films in which he zeroes in on moments of daily life and spins them into affecting and at times absurd underworld voyages.
