Keys N Krates

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Keys N Krates is an electronic band formed in Toronto, a city in Ontario, Canada in 2008. The Canadian trio is comprised of DJ Jr. Flo, drummer Adam Tune, and keyboardist Matisse. They are signed to the American record label founded by Steve Aoki; Dim Mak Records. Since their start, Keys N Krates have released two mixtapes, four independently released EPs, “Blackout” and “Lucid Dreams,” and a number of remixes and mash-ups. Keys N Krates have performed at festivals such as Wakarusa, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, SXSW, Movement Festival, Osheaga and Sónar in Barcelona.

History

Keys N Krates is an electronic band formed in Toronto, a city in Ontario, Canada in 2008. The Canadian trio is comprised of DJ Jr. Flo, drummer Adam Tune, and keyboardist Matisse. They are part of the pioneering group of artists that remix as a performance art, combining many influences including soul, hip-hop, electronic and pop.[1] Out of the desire to do something different, they began by locking themselves in a rehearsal room for six months to create and finesse their unique sound and identity. They wanted to take the remix/electronic sound out of the studio and onto the stage, creating a new live electronic experience.


(2008-2009)


The trio was introduced in 2008 through a mutual friend name Abby Tobias, knowing they all wanted to try something new with live instruments, Djing, and live sampling[2]. When Jr. Flo and Matisse first met, they began bouncing ideas off each other, and then Matisse invited Adam Tune into the mix. Matisse and tune had been playing in funk bands together for years and the two of them went to Fanshawe College together for audio engineering.[3] They locked themselves in a rehearsal room for six months trying to figure out how to start what they wanted to do. Starting as a mainly live act doing live re-works of rap and house tunes, the band eventually moved into making their own beats and translating those into their live show. In early 2009 the group was featured in URB Magazine’s “Next 100” issue, joining acts such as passion Pit, Drake, and more. (MADISON HOUSE) The band released their first self-released mix tape “Live Re-mixing 101”, in association with URB Magazine, 16 November 2009.


(2010-2011)


On 22 August 2010 the trio released their highly anticipated “Unforgettable – Remix” featuring award-winning rapper, Drake.[4] The music video was released the following week. During this period the band began to gain popularity in Canada and the United States. They self released a new mix tape “Almost 39 Minutes” on 2 November 2010, coming in at 38 minutes and 43 seconds long. The mix was recorded live in a barn located in northern Ontario, and features artist such as George Benson, Daft Punk, Birdman, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Justice, Lil Wayne and Aaliyah. In 2011 Keys N Krates signed with local Canadian record label, YYZ Records, established in 2008. On 17 October 2011 they released their first EP. A seven song extended play, “Blackout EP” which debuts their first release of original music.


(2012-Present)


Throughout 2012 the trio had been making a solid name for themselves while touring nationally and still rolling out new sounds, which were released on Sound Cloud. In early 2013, they were signed on by American record label, Dim Mak Records. Following a series of remixes including Bassnectar’s “Ugly,” Zeds Dead’s “No Prayers,” and Zedd’s “Follow You Down,” the Toronto trio of Keys N Krates was picked up by Dim Mak and Trap-A-Holics for their new EP “Lucid Dreams,” [5] released on 21 January 2013. On 5 March 2013 the 3-track EP “Treat me Right” was released featuring remixes by Grandtheft, Thugli and Lazerdisk Party Sex. Their most recent EP “Solow” was released 17 September 2013.

References

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  1. ^ Erics. "Interview: Keys N Krates". Suite903. The Fader. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  2. ^ Herr, Lindsay (2013-03-05). "Earmilk Interview; Keys N Krates". Earmilk. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  3. ^ Bonifacic, Igor. "Get to know a DJ: Greg Dawson, Jr Flo of Keys N Krates". BlogTO. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  4. ^ Brown, Jonathon "Bizz". "Drake - Unforgettable (Keys N Krates RMX) [Audio]". Hip Hop Canada. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  5. ^ Gambill, Zach. "Kays N Krates - Lucid Dreams EP [Dim Mak]". Sound Is Style. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
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