San Diego Reader

Keith Milgaten: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals

Genre: Electro | DJ, Pop, Rock

RIYL: Vision of a Dying World

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Related Links:

• "Keith Milgaten is Pre-Madonna" · Feb. 15, 2012

• "The Fun Reminder" · June 23, 2010

• "Not Christian" · Oct. 22, 2008

Synoposis

Influences: The Strokes, Vision of a Dying World, Animal Charm

Background:

Keith Milgaten has been producing hip-hop records since he was 17. The self-confessed vitamin C addict cofounded Vision of a Dying World with his brother Jackson while the two were growing up in Las Vegas. After the duo moved to San Diego in 2006 and hooked up with local players, they began writing theatrical, ambitious songs, mixing elaborate harmonies with prog-rock guitar, jazz-inspired sax work, and the occasional ukulele solo, earning a nod from Filter magazine as Undiscovered Band of the Month in December 2007.

When Jackson shifted focus to Cuckoo Chaos, Keith (who DJs as Keith Sweaty) turned up the heat as Jamuel Saxon, a solo electronic project that has evolved into a full touring and recording ensemble. Keith was nominated for Best Electronic at the 2009 San Diego Music Awards. His ten-song album Landmines & Chandeliers was released in June 2010.

It was a challenging year, as demonstrated by what he describes as his “biggest regret, going to South by Southwest with Black Mamba in 2010. Aimee [Sanchez] and I were not getting along at all by that point, and I basically had a breakdown by the end of it. I also blew most of my Album Leaf remix dough from Sub Pop Records on that trip, with nothing to show for it other than a week-long hangover and a sore throat from the yelling bouts.”

Jamuel Saxon’s 2011 full-length Pre-Madonna was co-produced by Jimmy LaValle (the Album Leaf, Tristeza) at a cabin in Boulder Creek, California, and released on local Single Screen Records. At the August 2011 San Diego Music Awards, Jamuel Saxon took home the trophy for Best Electronic.

Also made available was a new EP (CD and digital download) featuring songs that didn’t make Pre-Madonna, including a club version of the Vision of a Dying World tune “Awoken by a Scene From the End Times” and a Cuckoo Chaos cover.

As of 2012, Milgaten lives in South Park. “Plenty of parking but far from the freeways.”