About MusicKeen

MusicKeen is an independent music magazine for people who listen closely. We publish practical guides for players and producers, straightforward gear picks, playlists built for real moments in your day, and stories about the culture that grows up around music.

What you will find here

• Instruments & Gear — buying guides and how-tos for guitarists, pianists, drummers, DJs and home-studio producers.
• Best Products — single-product picks with the features that matter, honest pros and cons, and who each product is really for.
• Genres & Playlists — genre explainers and listening guides for focus, workouts, road trips, sleep and everything in between.
• Music Culture — the history and meaning of music, from protest songs and hip hop to vinyl, festivals and fan communities.
• Music News & Trends — the shifts in streaming, charts, technology and the industry that change how music is made and heard.
• Videos — concerts, sessions and performances worth your time, with notes on what to listen for.

Who we are

MusicKeen is edited by Johanna Cleveland, a lifelong music fan and digital publisher who has spent years exploring instruments, recording gear, playlists and global music culture. Our goal is simple: help you discover, play and enjoy music more deeply — whether you are picking up your first guitar or upgrading a home studio.

Our editorial standards

• Useful first. Every article should answer a real question or help you make a better decision. If a piece no longer meets that bar, we update it, merge it into a better guide or remove it.
• Accuracy. We stick to verifiable facts about artists, releases and products, and we correct mistakes as soon as we learn about them.
• Transparent tools. Some articles are drafted with the help of AI writing tools. Everything we publish is selected, structured and edited by our team before it goes live.
• Independent recommendations. Brands do not pay for placement in our guides. When we recommend gear, we explain the trade-offs as well as the strengths.

How we make money

MusicKeen is reader-supported. Some links to products are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never changes what we recommend. Read our full affiliate disclosure for details.

Get in touch

Spotted an error, have a suggestion or want to work with us? Use our contact page — we read every message.