Keyes is based in Waterloo, Sydney and grew up in nearby Redfern.
Former singer-songwriter with Sydney band the Stolen Holdens,[1] Keyes' output is best described as heartland rock in that the lyrics detail the minutiae of the seamier side of existence in and around the working class Sydney suburbs.
[2] Keyes is a supporter of his hometown rugby league club the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
[4] Second LP The Last Ghost Train Home was named Radio National album of the year and was a finalist for the 2007 Australian Music Prize; it featured cover artwork by Jon Langford.
Keyes' sixth album Black & White Town was released in November 2023.