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Reinvented, reinvigorated remix

Keys N Krates integrate live instrumentation, manipulation into an anything-but-traditional DJ set
1613keys

Who: Keys N Krates

When: Tuesday, March 31, 9 p.m.

Where: Moe Joe's

Cost: $5 in advance at Moe Joe's, Evolution, Showcase and Glacier Shop

This three-piece group, which includes musicians Jr. Flo, Matisse and Tune, is currently at the 2009 South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, checking out new talent and putting their unique sound out there for others in the industry to hear. But, Jr. Flo took some time out of their busy schedule to answer some questions for Pique , via e-mail:

Pique: So, your bio starts with a pretty bold claim that you "Reinvented the Remix." How have you managed to breathe fresh life into the art of the remix?

J.F.: Basically we are taking samples and freaking them via turntables, live sampling, as well as live instrumentation right in front of your eyes. The result is an entirely new musical experience. Ya kinda just have to see it.

Pique: Respectively, what are your individual musical backgrounds?

J.F .: I'm a former competitive DJ that's done both the battle circuit. Tune is a hard-hitting drummer who's played a lot of different styles of music, and Matisse is a classically trained keys dude who also has his own solo R&B project.

Pique: How were you drawn into the world of DJing?

J.F.: I used to watch rap videos when I was seven years old and only pay attention to what the DJ was doing. I pretty much knew from that point that I wanted to at least try it.

Pique: And how did the three of you manage to hook up to create Keys N Krates?

J.F.: Matisse and myself had this mutual friend, Abby (heads up our admin). He knew that both of us had an idea to do a project like this, so he sort of set us up. Matisse then brought Tune into the picture and he really took to and fit into the project well.

Pique: I understand that the underlying concept is to create a group that functions more like a band, with the DJ acting as the lead singer. How has this structure worked, so far?

J.F.: We often say the DJ is the lead singer because all of our vocals are samples that are chopped and looped by myself right now. But really it's to get across the fact that the instrumentation both centres around and carries out sample manipulation. The drums and the keys sort of do the same thing that the turntables do. They flip melodies and drum grooves, and there is nothing stopping Matisse or Tune from loading vocal midi into their instruments. It's all about the live manipulation using our individual tools.

Pique: So, how do you bring live instrumentation, turntablism and other progressive elements of electronic music into the performance smoothly and naturally?

J.F.: Although we are all fans of being experimental, we all are fans of pop music that everyone can feel and enjoy. We never force any elements that don't make sense to us sonically, even if the idea behind it is rad. 

Pique: I can imagine this wasn't an instantaneous collaboration - were there a lot of kinks to work out, in the beginning?

J.F.: Yes, and it's still a work in progress. But we spent seven months in a rehearsal space before we showed our stuff to anyone.

Pique: What's the long-term vision or goal for Keys N Krates?

J.F.: To have an international following for what we do.

Pique: You guys are at SXSW right now; what has the experience been like for you, so far?

J.F.: Incredible and inspiring to be around so much other new talent.

Pique: I checked out your blog earlier, and saw that you had a chance to see Kraak and Smaak play - it sounds like you were pretty impressed. Aside from SXSW being a great opportunity to get your name out there, do you consider it to be a learning experience for yourselves, as well? What do you hope to walk away from it with?

J.F.: We are always looking to be inspired by other people's music, so South by is basically a cluster of new ideas for us.

Pique: Your live show is so energetic, are you hoping to be able to capture it on an album at any point?

J.F.: Yes. We're working on that currently. 

Pique: Do you have any big projects on the horizon?

J.F.: Recordings, and more touring.

Pique: You're heading up to Whistler soon to perform. What can people expect from your show?

J.F.: Something you've never seen before.