Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Sounding like a mix between the Greyboy Allstars (Karl D. and co.,) Pink Floyd and Sector Nine, Charleston's the key of Q is moving in between jazzy lounge funk and psychedelic soundscapes, the key of Q will have your booty shaking and head bobbing before sending you into outer space" - Shout: Nightlife and Social Handbook, Boone, NC (distributed in Asheville, Carrboro, Charlotte, Wins
Jazzy smooth lounge vibes, deep hip-hop grooves, soulful break beats, and dark down tempo funk - for lack of a better, single-worded genre, this basically describes the "funk" that local band Key of Q boasts.
If you haven't already checked them out at the Charleston venues that they frequent, you're missing out. This band is making moves, and they know what they're doing.
The Key of Q is made up of seven guys, many of whom are graduates of C of C. The band has gone through several names, originally being called the Animal Crackers and then Dr. Teeth.
Two years ago, they settled on their current title, and they haven't looked back since. With the recent addition of their new drummer, Brian Widlowski, (who trained under Quentin Baxter of the College) the group is looking to spread both their name and unique sound throughout the Southeast.
And it takes a group effort for the seven to put together a sound as fresh and complex as the Key of Q is known for.
Their all instrumental songs mix melodic jazz undertones with crisp hip-hop cuts from DJ Kurfu, as they constantly seem to drive deeper and deeper into trance-like explorations of their grooves.
It's easy to like a band that can so fluidly combine different types of music, and it's obvious that the members of The Key of Q come from a variety of musical backgrounds.
Unlike many "jam bands" of today, the band keeps their songs five to six minutes long so that they can fully use the talent of the seven members.
One song may feature a laid-back lounge and jazz feel with soft and easy keys at the forefront of the melody, while the next song may take a turn into a more hip-hop oriented jam that showcases upbeat guitars, break beats and samples.
Wherever the band travels to musically, they do it as one, with all seven members playing their separate parts in a seemingly perfect accordance with the others. Somehow, it always comes together to form a contagious vibe that is hard not to shake a leg (at very least) to.
For years, the Key of Q has brought their sound to downtown venues such as Johnson's, The Kickin' Chicken, and The Music Farm, and they often perform at the Pour House in West Ashley, as well.
As the band has realized that their music is catching on more and more locally, they have adopted a very professional approach to their work by hiring manager James Brown, and recruiting several interns.
The band has a number of shows scheduled out of state in cities such as Asheville, N.C. and Chapel Hill, N.C., and they are currently working on a full-length album, too.
The next chance to see the Key of Q in concert is on April 19 at the Pour House.
This will be their first concert in Charleston with new drummer Widlowski, so make sure not to miss it because it's guaranteed to be a big show with plenty of music in the funky keynote of this local favorite - The Key of Q.
- George Street Observer
Discography
Caveman EP
Graveyard Smash - to be released later this summer!
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
the key of Q has been evolving over the last 7 years by adding a percussionist, bassist and keyboardist, as well as a few drummer changes. know that the formula is right we have begun our quest. 4 of the 7 present members were in the original band named 'Animal Crackers'. We changed to the key of Q during a 6am set at The Contagious Collaboration. Our influences have a wide range in almost all musical genres, some of the musical influences have been Buck 65, Jamiroquoi, Theivery Corporation, Pat Matheny, Jagged Jazzist, Mr. Scruff, Aphex Twins, and others. Our unique blend of classic jazz with new age electronica and dark funk gives a different spice that sets us apart. Also, we do not just jam or noodle around, all of our songs are played how they were written with small jam parts in some songs, and individual solo parts in most songs. We are a grassroots band that is well supported in our town and those that we have adventured to so far. Over the last year we have purchased lights, a winnebago, merchandise and have started hitting the road as much as physically possible.
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