Nate Smith ft. Kiefer & CARRTOONS

Deep Ellum Art Company and Colt Classics Presents: Nate Smith ft. Kiefer & CARRTOONS

Nate Smith

Nate Smith is a drummer, composer, & producer from Chesapeake, Virginia. His visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming has led to three GRAMMY® nominations and work with esteemed artists, including: Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Brittany Howard, Van Hunt, The Fearless Flyers, Norah Jones, and Somi. Smith fuses his original compositions with an eclectic mix of music, including everything from jazz to R&B to hip-hop to pop. His latest album, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds (released September 2021 on Edition Records) is the highly-anticipated follow up to his 2017 GRAMMY® Award-nominated album, Kinfolk: Postcards From Everywhere. In recent years, Smith’s viral videos have been viewed by millions of people, underscoring his popularity as one of the most influential drummers of his generation. 

Kiefer 

Kiefer is a central figure in the diverse independent music scene of Los Angeles. His sound fuses various modalities of Black American Music, from jazz and R&B to hip-hop and electronic music.

Kiefer grew up in San Diego, California, immersed in jazz by his father at a young age, and later experimented with hip-hop-inspired beats in high school. While studying jazz piano at UCLA, Kiefer got his education in beats from attending shows at Low End Theory and collaborating with other artists in the scene.

Hard-hitting beats, complex jazz voicings and sentimental melodies all fed into Kiefer’s debut, Kickinit Alone, released on Leaving Records in 2017. Soon after, Kiefer signed to Stones Throw and released two LPs: ‘Happysad’ (2018), and ‘When There’s Love Around’ (2021). His new full-length record, titled ‘It’s Ok, B U’, is available everywhere now.

Outside of his solo work, Kiefer has recorded with artists such as Kaytranada, Sir, and Terrace Martin, and produced for Anderson .Paak on his Grammy Award winning record, “Ventura”.

Kiefer at his core is both emotional and an optimist, which is why his songs resonate on a wide spectrum of emotion. His ethos is about feeling encouraged, empowered, and full of gratitude, reminding listeners through his music, “this is a beautiful life.”

CARRTOONS

Renowned New York multi-instrumentalist Ben Carr, better known as CARRTOONS, has become one of today's most sought-after producers through his eye-catching social media videos, flawless live performances, and the quickfire success of his two latest albums, “Homegrown” and “Saturday Night”. 

The unique bass lines and highly identifiable sound of CARRTOONS has very quickly led to 4 NPR Tiny Desk appearances and commercial placements with Nike, PlayStation, Hulu, MAX, and Peacock. With co-signs from Pete Rock and DJ Jazzy Jeff, CARRTOONS’ unique musical style has elevated his own artistic awakening. Carr has collaborated with pivotal names across genres, from Usher to Freddie Gibbs, Roy Ayers, Nate Smith, Kiefer, George Clinton, Jadakiss, and beyond, all while never sacrificing the retro-inspired sound that has driven his career to where it stands today. 

CARRTOONS’ affinity for music production was refined during his time studying at SUNY Purchase Conservatory, where he fine-tuned impulses shaped by early influences like Thundercat and MF DOOM. After receiving his degree in Jazz Performance, Carr hit the road to tour with his eight-piece band, Mad Satta. Success wasn’t immediate but it was swift, mostly in part to Carr’s steadfast work ethic. Since beginning work as CARRTOONS in 2017, Carr’s steady output of viral videos and the palpable buzz around each new release has spiked demand for his sound. 

CARRTOONS’ run to success first culminated in the release of 2022’s “Homegrown”. Across its breezy 14 tracks (with 70 million streams to date on Spotify alone), the record allows CARRTOONS’ primary instrument, the electric bass, to operate in the foreground of his rhythmic portraits. His intricate, yet intimate music quickly translated to the stage with sold out shows in New York, Los Angeles, London, and beyond. Ahead of a 2024 tour, CARRTOONS has released his seventh album “Saturday Night”, another showcase of his singular ability to taste-make and expand his talents into new dimensions. 

Deep Ellum Art Company
3200 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX