“A Perfect Union Of Contrary Things” presents the outtakes, the scenes of disappointment and triumph, and the events that led Maynard James Keenan to take one step after the next, to change direction, to explore sometimes-surprising opportunities. Included throughout are passages in Keenan’s own words, often-humorous anecdotes that illuminate the narrative. Commentary by his family members, friends, instructors, and industry colleagues rounds out the Sarah Jensen-penned memoir, with a foreword from American visionary artist and longtime Keenan friend Alex Grey. The biography arrived on November 8 via Backbeat Books, an imprint of Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group.
Keenan said that Jensen was actually around for many of the formative events of his life. “She met me when I was doing music, which was in high school of course. High school plays, choir, all those performances. She saw me, you know, when I was going into the military, she saw me in all the sports activities that I was involved in, a lot of the poetry that I used to write back in high school, some of the publications that I was involved in back then…so she’s seen all of that progression.”
Keenan, who is known for not merely being protective about his personal life but at times pointedly cagey and misleading about his history, is in the midst of a round of book readings. The special evening includes Keenan reading passages from “A Perfect Union of Contrary Things” with a backdrop of never before seen photos and videos, as well as taking questions from the audience in what will be a rare moment of direct interaction between the elusive musician and the fans of his projects.
