PBR Streetgang & X-Press 2 “Key Free”

Submitting a mighty fine EP through Futureboogie this month, PBR Streetgang (Bonar Bradberry and Tom Thorpe) links up with X-Press 2 (Rocky and Diesel) on a strong-suited collab titled Cosine. With nearly 40 years of experience combined, the two vet house duos merge their musical aptitudes to whip up two groove-concentrated productions. Cosigned with remixes from Lauer and A Sagittariun, this four-track monster is a dancefloor’s dream.

Filling out the second spot on the release, “Key Free” is an unfettered effort with maximum effect. Rising pads set the mood, followed by a discharge of jolting, sweeping synths and on-the-loose keys that run rampant across untiring percussion. It’s a four-floor face-off on the black-and-whites that sees both entities coming out on top.

Catch a few words on the track from Bonar below, right after you try the stream on for size.

Available March 16 via Futureboogie.

Were you impulsive on this track, or did you have a sketch in mind before you started?
There is always an element of impulsiveness in our work—it’s what keeps it exciting and fresh for us and hopefully the listener. But at the same time, we do have some clear ideas before we get in the studio. It’s just sometimes they don’t always make it onto the finished track!

Was there one particular moment in the recording or mixing process of this track that made you feel as though you were creating something pretty damn special?
We wouldn’t be as arrogant as to say that, but there was certainly a point when we had the main riff going and some basic drums, and we just couldn’t stop listening to it for ages. If you’re not getting tired of listening to the same thing over and over for hours, then you know you’re onto something good.

Do you think advances in computer technology and gear have affected your creativity?
Generally, I think it’s affected us in a really positive way—mainly by speeding up workflow and giving you the ability to create accurately the ideas in your head into reality with minimal interference or reliance on others to help you reach your vision. That said, I do think sometimes the power of computer technology, and modern gear in general, can leave us drowning in choice. There is a lot to be said for using a limited amount of equipment and letting those limits push you to be more creative and inventive with your creative process.

Describe the best setting/activity to hear this track.
In a warm, dark basement through a great sound system, with lots of your friends to dance with.

Creatively, how did the work on this track stack up to previous studio sessions? Was this more challenging to complete than others?
Creatively, it was a lot of fun and a great privilege to be working together on material with guys like Rocky & Diesel, who we had admired and been inspired by for years. So that definitely made it a bit different to our usual studio sessions.

Buy “Key Free” on Juno.