Toronto’s Keys N Krates are the product of seven hard years of touring and sticking to what they love. The trio are sometimes known as “the world’s only trap band” and they put that moniker to the test at this year’s Electric Zoo Festival. The always gracious Adam Tune (drums), David Matisse (synthesizer/keyboards) and Jr. Flo (turntablist) know how hard it takes to get where they are, and they show no signs of slowing down. We got the chance to talk to the guys for a few minutes after their first time in front of the Randall’s Island crowd. Check out what they had to say.
Guys, last year your set was cancelled. This year, you took over Hilltop. How’d it feel playing the stage?
Adam: The stage was great. It was a little different for us because we’re kind of used to playing as a band formation, but it felt great.
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What’s going on musically?
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David: We’ve got our Every Nite tour that we’re doing with gLAdiator and Thugli going out on the road September 18 in Phoenix, then going all over.
Jr. Flo: It’s in support of our Every Nite EP that’s coming out on Dim Mak.
Adam: So we’re in the studio, getting new songs, revamping our set. We’re trying to get the music from the Every Nite EP onto the set.
How often do you guys change up your set?
Jr. Flo: I think when an EP comes out that’s more of a milestone where we change it significantly. We obviously want to get as much of the EP represented in the set as possible. I think one thing we realized is, kind of ironic since we’re doing an overhaul, but we constantly like to be updating so there isn’t this overhaul or so much work. We’re always trying to put new stuff into the set, so that it’ll be different if you see us in a few months. If you see us a year from now, it’ll be pretty different.
“Are We Faded” is moving up the charts. For a group that’s been at it for seven years now, what’s it like seeing your work growing in popularity?
David: It’s pretty cool because sometimes you’ll wake up in the morning and someone will email everyone with, “No. 14!” [Laughs]
Jr. Flo: Duuude!
Adam: Sick!
David: Everyone’s like “Yeah!!!!”
Jr. Flo: Kidding aside, this shit is a grind. To get here, we’ve been through some shit. To get here, not saying that we’ve made it or anything, but we’ve played shows to 20 people. We schlepped our shit around for years, traveling in a van wanting to kill each other. It’s these small victories when we hear where were at on Hype Machine. It’s those small victories. You need them to keep you going.
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David: It’s like getting a girl’s number and she hasn’t accepted a date, but she’s texted back. [Laughs]
Jr. Flo: We got something!
Adam: One of the amazing things we’ve seen change over the past little while is fans that are there know our music. They’re coming there to see us. That’s kind of amazing. We’ve played festivals for a long time now, usually been that act to win over whoever is there from the last act.
Jr. Flo: That’s the best thing. That’s what we’ve always wanted. Yesterday, we were at North Coast [Festival, Chicago] and we’re standing side stage. The act before us gets off and there’s a change and fans start chanting our name. It was crazy and super cool.
Adam: I think we have a really unique fan base as well. It makes a really good connection. We talk to everyone on Facebook and we have a great connection with our fans. I know everyone says this, but I think we have a bond with them because we’re different and that makes them kind of like a different thing at the festival.
Jr. Flo: I’ve been on other artist pages and there’s some trolls and negative energy. For the most part, I feel that’s a minority on our page. Big or small the people are there for us and respect the community we’re trying to build.
David: I think there was a time we’ve wondered many times if people gave a shit that we’re playing instruments. It seemed like it [the scene] was so built for DJs. We had so many problems with stages and getting on festivals. Just to know that people do give a shit, it validates all you’ve been doing the past seven years.
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