Key Clef is a Berlin based, italian dj and producer with strong passion for analogue instruments. After experiencing the last years of the flourishing rave scene in Rome and accomplishing a degree in sound engineering her creative process evolved into different directions from club music, to performance art and electro acoustics. In 2013 she released her first digital EP followed by releases on Love Blast, KKY, MinimalRome, BlackWater, DelirioRec e Mitten. In her own world music is a continuous dialogue between styles and hybridation. Her music productions as well her live performances include synth, drum machines and analogue effects reflecting her ethereal trajectory while her dj sets show the full prism of her music taste and knowledge of the dance floor. Key Clef sound doesn’t hit on surface instead aims to channel emotions and contact between her music and the listener. After maturing her sound over the years she is finally ready to launch her own imprint Ipnotica Erotica rec with the release of her new EP ‘Mental Groove’.
FACTS:
1: Time doesn’t flow at the same everywhere.
2: Reality is a different perspective for everyone.
3: All things in the universe have own frequency.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
The Dancefloor is the biggest inspiration when I’m recording my tracks! I’m always, thinking of myself standing in the middle of the club and trying to feel the emotional and physical reaction of my body to the music. Emotions from everyday life as well are another huge source of inspiration, music being such a free drawing, a channel of outburst.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
When I was fifteen years old my boyfriend at the time asked me “can you give me 40€ to get a machine to make techno?” So we bought an Electribe Er-1. I then started performing in rave parties really quickly. Around twenty years old I began to be part of the Roman underground club scene as well, with a different style of music, impersonating myself with the nickname Key Clef, starting with my first release on Trick Track Records.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Pink Floyd – The Wall
Joy Division – Still 1981
Colle der Fomento – Scienza Doppia H
Radiohead – Kid A
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Work 85-92
These are the albums I most consumed in order of age discovery.
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
I have always associated Berlin with a large boiling cauldron. There is a continuous and dynamic flow of people who come and go, creating a place rich of exchange and passion, where people shares thoughts, ideas and where a good connection is always around the corner. It is full of aggregation places where people meet and leaves their own masks behind. It can be seen as a fake and controlled Anarchy, a bit of a contradiction of social environments. Where people can feel free not beeing so. It can get addictive, like a complicated love story where you don’t accept flaws and continue to love. But the energy and the creativity that pulses from this city is quite rare. In my opinion it’s all this amount of human expression that makes it a unique place to be.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
I love going to the rooftops of Rome! They offers a different panorama of history every corner.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
It’s difficult to imagine a silent world, because music is vibration and vibration is a foundation of the universe so the world could not exist without vibration! But in a world where sound is not perceivable, we would for sure translate our need of music trough vibrations. In this scenario, I would certainly still be a musician, in a different way. It would be a different world, but I would have the same role.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
WARP300-6.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I know it’s a respond like a teenager to her favorite pop-band but… Aphex Twin.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
It was definitely the opening live set for Detroit Techno Militia at EX Dogana in Rome. I just had bought my Tr-808 a few hours earlier. I didn’t raise my head until the end of the set. I was too busy with my new toy. But I felt the energy, and it was a really nice time for the techno scene in Rome. Anyway, when I finished the performance and I raised my head there were 2000 people making a roar for more then 2 minutes where I felt a great warmth and my head very light. It was the biggest connection with the dancefloor I ever had. An emotion that I’ll never forget.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Technological progress helps us simplify the process and to increase its potential, but it is not essential. I always work with my machines and often record live because I think that the flow of all the components linked together is a fundamental factor. We could do without it, but it is definitely another powerful source for creativity, versatility and accessibility.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
No, I don’t have it. But my family and my friends have always supported me.
Key Clef’s Mental Groove EP is out on 27th March 2020!
Photo © Key Clef
