Project Objective: Song structure, how it fits together as a whole. How it progresses, moves from one section to another (does it flow?), ability to hold the listeners attention.
If there is one thing that KEYMONO is not, is shy. Their music is bright and bold. Their synth and brass work is lit brightly with so much color it could seem overwhelming, but it’s not. It’s welcoming and jovial. It’s hard to listen to and not be filled with enjoyment and have your spirits lifted. They sound reminiscent of the vibrant synth filled music of the 1980’s but they are no throwback band. They are absolutely their own band with their own sound. It’s difficult to not hear their personality shine through the instrumentation choices. They know what kind of music they want to make and are unafraid to do so. The vocalist, Daiva, has crisp and distinctive vocals. They help her stand out in a market filled with vocals that are tuned to perfection. She is a marvelous vocalist, and could more that likely sing in whatever genre she chooses. The fact that she has chosen to lend her voice to such upbeat and special music is a gift to those to listen to KEYMONO. The production value is great as well. They know how to use up the space they are given, and don’t spare any of it. It is filled to the brim with wonderful choices in instrumentation from the drum beats to the brass, and the synths and bass to the vocals. Everything sounds like it was specifically chosen to help lift up the vocals, and to not overwhelm any other portion of the song. They understand how to create a great listening experience. I look forward to hearing what they will do in the future.
Beat Butler took the bold aspect of their music and ran with it in another direction. He toned down the jovial aspect, but it’s still there. The original sounds like the beginning of a night out, his version sounds like the night as it progresses. He plays up the club atmosphere of the song. His arrangement is utterly gorgeous. He manipulates the vocals in a way that doesn’t take away from her performance even remotely. Her lush voice is still the centerpiece of the song, but he makes use of effects to help drive her voice to a place that would not be possible naturally. He drives the song along so that there are pauses and zeniths in just the perfect places. Nothing is out of place, everything is deliberate, and because of that he has created one of the absolutely best arranged remixes I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. While now KEYMONO sounds more like Massive Attack or Portishead versus their bright and bubbly original, it only serves to show that sometimes giving someone the use of your song can help push it forward in a direct that did not seem possible. Beat Butler did not take the message of the song away, he just gave it a new voice. That is exactly what a good remix does. It does changes the song, but not the heart of what it is. The heart of “Bubble in a Trouble” is perfectly safe in his hands.
Short Biography
A shifting, rhythmical patchwork of electronica, brass, and neo-soul vocals in high energy stereo colour. KEYMONO (previously known as Brassbastardz) is a Lithuanian band now based in London. Alvydas (drum machines, synth‘s), Aurimas (trumpet, synth‘s, vocals), Daiva (vocals) and Marijus (drums) frame their thoughts into one – the music of KEYMONO.
Remixed Track
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Original Track
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Social Links:
https://www.facebook.com/keymonosound
https://soundcloud.com/keymono
https://www.youtube.com/thebrassbastardz
https://twitter.com/KEYMONOSOUND
About The B-Side project
The B-Side Project started in 2009 as a UK wide project based around fusing music and providing artists with promotional opportunities. The B-Side Project is the brain child of NE-Xcuse, with the main objective to merge music and to provide additional platforms for music artists, both of live music and electronic production. The objectives are; to fuse formats of music (live formats such as singer-songwriter/acoustic/rock with electronic formats); to provide a platform for musical talent, both locally and by using international exchange; to promote local and international music communities; to provide the audiences with different influences.
