HEADLINER: THE KEYS

Before KEYS, an Indie Rock / Urban Folk welsh band were formed in Aberystwyth, Wales called “MURRY THE HUMP” by singer Matthew Evans, guitarist Gwion Rowlands, bassist Curig Huws and Drummer Bill Coyne. Earlier in their career they were a 5-piece Welsh music prize nominee, and competed in “Battle of the Bands” against Muse. They recorded 3 sessions for John Peel and had high profile fans such as Alex James from Blur. They unfortunately went their separate ways in 2001, even with all the support they had. 10 years since they SPLIT, the original members have now RE-GROUPED as The Keys. Now a Psychedelic Rock, Indie Rock band, “The Keys” debut album FIRE INSIDE was released in Summer 2010 by a label called ‘See Monkey Do Monkey’ who were new at the time in Cardiff, with Matt Evans passionately believing it’s time for a change in Cardiff. When talking about their song writing process Matthew Evans gave an interview after their debut release

“We nearly always write first then record - We've tried that whole writing in the studio thing and you just end up with poor songs so we try to write good songs first so then you can concentrate on recording them as best you can.”

The influence of their music does capture the 60’s vibe for their album ‘Fire Inside’ & 70’s in their other album ‘Vita Hope’ which was inspired by Alan Vegas, but they don’t want to categorize their music by dates or genres. Their recording process is SIMPLE and MINIMALISTIC which gives them an original sound. What they want to portray in their song and gigs is VOLUME, MELODY and RHYTHM. In 2019 they signed up with LIBERTINO RECORDS, and released their latest album called ‘Bring Me The Head of Jerry Garcia’. Matt Evans (guitar and vocals) is also a lecturer teaching song-writing at the University of South Wales. Their band is performing on the Libertino Takeover theme night.

Whilst COVID limits our freedom to perform anywhere with so many venues of pubs and clubs closing in Cardiff ‘The Keys’ experience in performing in TRAMSHED, went better than they imagined just to get up on stage, listening to the volume of live instruments being performed, which made the band and the listeners feel like this is where we all belong.

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The Immersed! Blog team