Igor Keller has never treated music like a fixed lane, and his new album, The Merry Blacksmith’s Song Bucket, arriving October 31, is another reminder of just how far he’s willing to go when he follows instinct over expectation. The opening track, “Monster Zero,” sets the tone immediately: playful, cinematic, a little chaotic, and unmistakably Longboat.
The inspiration? Classic Godzilla movies, which Longboat has loved for years. But instead of recreating the familiar storyline, he breaks it apart.
“I wanted to create my own version – one without Godzilla to save the world.”
That small shift opens up a whole different energy. “Monster Zero” takes the idea of disaster and flips it with humor, sharp lyrics, and unexpected musical choices. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, weird in the best way, and powered by the same curiosity that’s fueled Keller’s 30-plus-album career.
Even the ending hides a surprise: a rescue delivered by a completely unexpected instrument. Keller refuses to spoil it, and honestly, discovering it yourself is half the fun.
The album was recorded right after he finished Word Gets Around, keeping his momentum running full-speed. This time, Keller leans deeper into sci-fi themes and textures, building each track like a miniature world. And for the first time, he brings a vocoder into the picture — a tool he originally found intimidating but ultimately learned to shape into something warm, strange, and surprisingly personal.
“At first, it was intimidating,” he admits. “But once you learn how to use it wisely, it brings something that feels both new and strangely familiar.”
That push into new territory fits perfectly with Igor Keller’s journey. Before Longboat, he was a jazz tenor saxophonist in Seattle, then a film scorer, and eventually a pop experimenter who created his own lane — one filled with commentary on technology, burnout, absurdity, and everything in between. His signature “electronic blues” style often blends humor with emotional truth, giving his music a perspective that feels lived-in, not manufactured.
With The Merry Blacksmith’s Song Bucket, he continues evolving without losing the quirks that make his work instantly recognizable. “Monster Zero” serves as the doorway into this new era — bold, curious, imaginative, and honest in the way only Igor Keller can be.
If you’re looking for an album that bends rules but never loses its heart, Keller’s latest chapter is worth diving into. It’s proof that creativity doesn’t have to mellow with time; sometimes, it gets even wilder.