Introducing... Key To The Mint

Name of band: Key to the Mint

Members: 4

Year formed: 2015

Location: Cleveland, OH, USA

“We try to capture the same anxiety and austerity that the post-punk groups of the 80s had.”

Key to the Mint formed in early 2015, out of the defunct Cleveland shoegaze/noise band Privacy//Policy. Starting with P//P’s final single “Observation,” Rich Kundracik and John Alexander began taking their previous band’s post-punk leanings in a more melodic, accessible direction, making greater use of synthesizer and keyboard textures. A lineup for this new group solidified with the additions of vocalist Joel Anger and guitarist Justin Romanak.

Key to the Mint released their first record, Polynesian Dreams, in September 2015 as they began playing local shows. After a tumultuous 2016 and the departure of Romanak, Key to the Mint regrouped to begin their second album A Godless Line. Released on December 1st 2017, A Godless Line brings a harder edged sound that captures the post-industrial anxiety and malaise of the 80s underground. With guitarist Connor Simpson from Cleveland post-rock act ITEM, Key to the Mint plans to tour the US in the spring and summer.

Intravenous Magazine: Who are you and how did the band/project come to be formed?

We are Key to the Mint, darkwave from Cleveland, Ohio. JA and I (Rich) were previously in a noise rock group that shifted to darkwave. We found a perfect front man, Joel Anger on craigslist to complete the lineup.

Intravenous Magazine: How would you describe your sound/style, and how did you arrive at it?

We try to capture the same anxiety and austerity that the post-punk groups of the 80s had. Especially British groups. Joel came to our studio to demo some songs and things clicked right away. We’ve formed the rest of the group around that sound. I think it fits well with the general attitudes in a post-industrial city like Cleveland in these uncertain times.

Intravenous Magazine: Who and what are your primary influences both musical and non-musical?

Musically speaking - Depeche Mode, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, The Smiths, New Order, etc. Non-musically, I’m an engineer. So I think there is a certain “tightness” and mechanical nature to our songs that comes from my personality.

Intravenous Magazine: Do you perform live and if so where can we see you perform in the near future?

We perform all over our home town. We are playing Chicago at the end of April and hope to tour the East cost of the US this summer.

Intravenous Magazine: What is your current release and where is it available from?

A Godless Line came out in December. It’s everywhere: Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube, itunes, CD baby.

Intravenous Magazine: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

We played Brite Winter Fest in February, our biggest show yet. Also, being played on Part Time Punks radio show out of LA is really cool.

Intravenous Magazine: What are your plans fro the future?

We are already working on our next record. We hope to tour all around the US and eventually the UK.

Intravenous Magazine: Finally, is there anything that you would like to add?

I found your site on a group page. I always appreciate sites that promote new music. It’s hard to be a musician in the age of the internet. So if you introduce us to your followers, special thanks to you.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Key-to-the-Mint-399758816888749/

https://keytothemint.bandcamp.com/

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