By Manus Hopkins
Supplier Spotlight
KEY LEAVES
Key Leaves grew from company President Nate “ Rulon ” Brown ’ s experience as a touring saxophonist and repair tech . Sticking and rotting key pads were problems he encountered often , and couldn ’ t really find a good fix for .
“ I tried all the folk fixes and repair tricks to fix sticky key pads after they appear , but I was tired of half fixes and band aids for symptoms ,” he
PHOTO : RENATHA VERNON
RULON BROWN tells Canadian Music Trade . “ I wanted something that would truly prevent the root cause of the disease and stop sticky build up between the pad and tone hole .” As Brown explains , after a woodwind instrument is played , most of the keys are already open , and those open pads don ’ t stick and rot like closed pads do . And so , finding a way to leave the keys open to dry became his goal and Brown began testing concepts .
“ I settled on a leaf-shaped wedge design for the flagship product because it worked so well ,” he says . “ I also love puns , so I couldn ’ t pass up the chance to say ‘ leave keys open to dry with Key Leaves .’ I then invented more designs on the theme and launched Key Leaves .”
There were certain reservations Brown had early on about launching the company , like the fear that certain industry folks wouldn ’ t want a product that could lower sales for other saxophone equipment .
“ At first , I wondered if repair techs and music stores would be wary of the Key Leaves approach because it actually extends pad life , decreases repairs , and lessens the need for disposable pad cleaners and costly gimmicks some stores sell ,” he says . “ But repair techs are the biggest advocates for Key Leaves and often influence store owners to stock our products for cross-sale at time of repair , rental , or purchase . When MI folks recommend Key Leaves care to customers , it builds authority and trust with players because you ’ re showing them how to enjoy a better playing experience free of the fear of sticky pads that jam up a concert .”
KEY LEAVES KEY PROPS
ON SAX
Coming from a musical background himself , having gotten hooked on the saxophone at age 10 after his mother forced him into music , the self-professed “ band geek ” dove into instrument repair by the time he was just 14 , apprenticing at a local music shop .
“ That gave me the skills to work my way through music college doing repairs and booking bands on the side ,” Brown remembers . “ I toured and recorded intensely for a few years and later landed a steady day gig managing cultural programs for the Seattle Mayor ’ s Office .”
Brown credits his time at the mayor ’ s office with giving him the knowledge and experience he needed to start his own company , saying he was able to learn from mentors in politics , communications , and project management , and gained skills in designing , launching , and maintaining public programs .
“ That toolbox served me well when founding Key Leaves ,” he says . “ If I didn ’ t have my odd mix of experience as musician , administrator , and repair tech , I don ’ t think I would have dared to create an entirely new accessory niche using product behavior no one had ever seen . But at the end of a long day , it ’ s thrilling to know I ’ ve given artists something that helps them make the world more musical .”
Describing his experience running Key Leaves so far as “ extraordinary , then exhausting , and now somewhat zen ,” Brown says the pandemic was a massive hit for his company , like many others , as he had expected 2020 to be Key Leaves ’ biggest year yet . Things were going great beforehand and have now started to look up again , with the new Key Leaves oboe care product receiving a glowing endorsement from The Metropolitan Opera oboist , Elaine Douvas , and the Spit Sponge pad dryer products being created with input
from Saturday Night Live sax player , Ron Blake .
“ Our little family biz launched at a regional saxophone festival in January 2018 with intentions to grow with player demand for our products ,” he says . “ By January 2020 , Key Leaves had won NAMM Best in Show , two Product of The Year awards from The Saxophonist magazine , Best Instrument Care Tool from School Band & Orchestra Magazine , plus a roster of international dealers and distributors and A-list musicians who love Key Leaves .”
With school band programs largely halted across the country for a time , Key Leaves lost one of the main sources of its business , and Brown turned his attention to other facets .
“ Thankfully Key Leaves was able to keep supporting dealers with steady access to quality U . S . A . -made products , new marketing programs on social media , and improved margin on select products ,” he says . “ The silver lining has been learning to run our business more lean , growing direct-to-customer sales while honouring the expertise and investments of our dealer family , and me growing into my role as the ‘ face of the company ’ online while developing radical new products for the RULON brand launching later this year .”
For now , Brown ’ s future plans include staying on the track he is on right now , making “ small yet powerful improvements ” for musicians , as well as music teachers and students , something he has always found important .
“ Key Leaves is musicians helping musicians sound their best with easy-to-use , super-effective products ,” says Brown . “ The MI market will always need that kind of experience .”
Manus Hopkins is the assistant editor for Canadian Music Trade .
KEY LEAVES SOPRANO SAX
KEY PROPS
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 17