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, Milgaten (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.
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.
As of 2012, Milgaten was living in South Park. “Plenty of parking but far from the freeways.” Early that year, he recorded, mixed, and mastered an EP called Meant To Be, by San Diego band Future You. Then, he announced plans to relocate to NYC in early 2013, though he’ll still tour with his San Diego bandmates as well as developing his solo Keith Sweaty projects.
The Keith Sweaty album Spaceface was released in January 2013. Spaceface (or more personally known as Dennis) is a character from the film I Am Not A Hipster, concerning the San Diego music scene and including visual aesthetic and music by Sweaty. “This is a concept album based on that character,” says Milgaten/Sweaty.
Milgaten/Sweaty composed all the music on the album, with guest vocals on “Preyonce” by Adam Shapiro (with lyrics by Joel P. West), and “Black Bay” vocals by Dominic Bogart (and lyrics by Joel P. West).