Keys N Krates are creating music unlike anyone else right now. Having a name for themselves by performing their hip hop and bass-heavy influenced sounds at clubs and festivals around the world, what sets this Ultimate Music Experience outfit apart is the fact they play live as a band.
Formed in Toronto by drummer Adam Tune, the trio, made complete by synth/keyboardist David Matisse and internationally award-winning turntablist Jr. Flo, came together in 2008 with the sole purpose of bringing their blend of live electronic instrumentation to the stage. Matisse says, “We all met through a mutual friend (Abby) and had the same idea to form a band that messed with DJing and sampling with live instrumentation. We started jamming together and it all of developed from there into us touring as this live remix band, and then eventually making our own music playing it in our live show.”
Often called the world’s only “trap band,” the boys were reluctant to accept the title at first, but now have learned to embrace it. Tune explains, “At the end of the day, people are going to call us whatever they want. We are referencing everything from classic house music to Timbaland in our beats, but I think the trap references tap into what the current sound is, and we are okay with that.”
In 2009, the boys released Live Re-Mixing 101, showcasing a series of tracks that journeyed a history of hip hop and dance music that was stripped apart and rebuilt in real time. Featuring some classic tracks from Mos Def, Tribe Called Quest favorites, The Fugees, Dr. Dre, and Simian Mobile Disco, that same year, the trio was named one of URB Magazine‘s “Next 100.” “We never really saw that as pressure, Flo says, “we were just stoked at the recognition and some of the doors it opened for us.”
Working with producers like GRANDTHEFT, Keys N Krates started working on their own sound. Their first EP Blackout, released in 2011, was fueled by fat bass lines, synth chords, and live instrumentation with just the right amount of electro influence, proving that even the cleverest of hip hopper can rave once in a while too.
What truly separates Keys N Krates from the mass of newcomers out there is the unique, completely live show. Flo explains it best, “Our live show is what really gave birth to this whole thing. At first we just really wanted to do something new and cool that was live, so we started with doing these live remix/covers of rap tunes and jamming on those. We always wanted to be a modern party band so we very early on wanted to draw on pop culture references to get people into it right away. However, we eventually started making our own beats and music that was more bass driven so we had to figure a way out how to play that live and keep with our mantra of doing everything 100% live with no backing tracks. So we replaced our live kick with a trigger kick that plays a lot of 808s and punchy kicks and that was kind of the game changer for us, in having a bigger more bass driven sound, and also having our own original beats incorporated into our show. So now when you come to see us it’s a lot of our own music but mashed up with familiar samples and references. It’s a party.”
Still celebrating the release of their most recent body of work, the SOLOW EP is out on Dim Mak Records in September 2013. We hope to hear the banging single “Dum Dee Dum” when Keys N Krates make their way to South Padre Island to play at Ultimate Music Experience. Tickets are still available online.
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