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KRAFTY KUTS (Against the Grain, Finger Lickin’, UK)

Leading artists like Krafty Kuts have understood the mobile computing platform and brought their musical vision to them. We asked him a few questions so you can get a sense of the genius of this artist. We also used his iPhone app and now bring you what we think about both. They’re brilliant!

DJ tools are the most fundamental of sampling instruments. Kool Herc invented the breakbeat by using other records as his DJ tools to play sounds, samples, and rhythms that could be played together to create an entirely new track. Similarly, Krafty Kuts has put together an effects palette of 108 sounds which are so easy to navigate, select, and play – that Kool Herc himself would be dumbfounded.

These sounds are for DJs who want to transform an otherwise ordinary set of other people’s music to a personalized set. This app would not be appropriate for DJs who keep their eyes fixated on the mixer and turntables. This is an app specifically built for the DJ to engage and interact with the crowd. It seems especially fit, not so surprisingly, for breaks sets.

The idea is that you launch the application, and then plug your iPhone into any available channel on your mixing board. The application interface is seamless and a breeze to manipulate. There are 9 pages to scroll through and 12 buttons per page; each labeled with a brief description of what the sample is.

The buttons range from electronic sounds such as Laser, Woosh, and Squelch to vocal samples like “Now Hear Dis” and “Make Some Noise”. Another cool feature is that it splits up phrases such as “Ain’t no trick my DJ can’t do” into separate samples for “Ain’t” “No” “Trick” “My” “DJ” “Can’t” “Do” – which is perfect for adjusting to tracks with different tempos and builds.

Krafty Kuts iPhone app fits in your pocket, plugs into any mixer, and is a steal for $4.99 USD (£2.99). Up the ante next time you play to an eager crowd of trainspotters… “Wait, that’s not in the original tune”!!

Krafty Kuts, when did you or your family notice your interest in music?
I grew up in the UK and discovered music in the early 90’s when listening to The Specials, The Beat, ska, and 2 tone. Later, found electro, hip-hop, and loved the whole movement and culture. I taught myself to break dance and DJ. Then, the world of music opened up and my life changed from that moment.

When did you get interested or exposed to electronic dance music?
Also in the early 90’s, I started buying records like the Street Sounds Electro compilations and going to car boot sales and 2^nd hand record stores collecting funk and disco. It became an obsession to have the biggest and best collection. I would spend every spare minute travelling around the country finding those ultimate rare gems. I built up an awesome record collection.

What music moves you?
The music I listen to varies constantly with my moods. When I am feeling upbeat or have loads of energy, its drum & bass and breakbeat. Or, when I need to reflect or chill, funk and disco is a must. Then, when I feel like some fun and nostalgia, the 80’s classics are in full effect. Music is my life and I play, study and listen to music every day.

What do you like in electronic dance music?
Wow, there is so much out there right now: Sub Focus, Chase & Status, Pendulum, Afrojack, Tim Healey, Deekline, Duck Sauce, Wolfgang Gartner, Deadmau5, DJ Icey, Scratch Perverts, A. Skillz, Bird Peterson, DJ Craze, Black Noise & Jack Beats just for starters. I am very open minded about all genres and like to keep ahead of the game. To be honest, I live and breathe music.

When was it that you started DJing?
The early 90’s. It was the perfect chance to play all this amazing music I had been collecting. I played rare groove, funk, hip-hop and disco gems. It was the most amazing feeling expressing my emotions, influences, passion, love, desire and mostly fun to what was eventually going to become my career path.

What do you do to get ready for a set? And what are we going to dance to?
I spend many hours putting ideas together; getting acapellas and scratch samples, intro’s and also making my own edits of songs to give my DJ sets more of a cutting edge and unique flavor so when people come to see me play, they hear new fresh music and sounds. I try to do something different with every set. In fact, I never play the same set twice. I’m known for hip-hop, breakbeat, electro, drum & bass, funk and dubstep. But, I’m always looking to push the boundaries and move things forward. Who knows what the future holds.

You produce your own music. What was that like starting? Any tips?
I have been producing under the name Krafty Kuts for 12 years now starting back in 1998. I released three EP’s with the Ministry Of Sound’s label FSUK and also a track on Norman Cook’s Southern Fried. The Southern Fried track Gimme The Funk opened up many doors and people around the world were buying this record which helped me get DJ bookings. Also, with being associated with MoS, I got exposed to the masses. I needed a manager and agent and so my venture into the music industry began.

My first releases were very successful and many things followed like Mix CD’s (Mixmag covermount CD), Slam the Breaks 1 & 2, tour of Oz, Europe & Canada all came flying in and my life totally changed. I think, musically, my proudest moment was my first release Gimme The Funk. I love this track even to this day and it was the first track I ever produced and for it to come out on Norman’s label was such a thrill. I have so much respect for Norman and I really learnt so much from his DJing and music, these moments will live with me forever. My biggest tip for creating music is to study the music that you love; taking in all your influences old and new, and try to combine these flavors and styles to create your own unique masterpiece.

For the equipment geeks out there, what equipment do you use?
When I DJ, my setup consists of 4 CDJs, 1 turntable, and a DJM-800 mixer plus my very own Krafty Kuts iPhone app. When I produce, I use Logic, Ableton and Cubase with all the latest plugins.

What are some of the best venues you’re performed at? Festivals or events?
Field Day in Sydney and Belvoir Amphitheatre Theatre in Perth (both Australia) are tops. Close behind are Mighty (San Francisco),Vanguard (Los Angeles), Matter (London), and Twilo (New York City). Then there is An Evening with KK at London’s Matter, Glastonbury, Glade & V festivals.

Thanks for your rerub of Laidback Luke vs Robin S’s Show Me Love for our podcast listeners to download. And, also for releasing your DJ Tools iPhone app!

Catch Krafty Kuts on 20 March “Mikato” @ Lehmann (Stuttgart); 26 March “An Evening with Krafty Kuts” @ Matter (London); 27 March “Rejected Rocstars” @ Sub Zero (Essex); 2 April “Thank Funk its Friday @ Coxs Yard (Stratford-Upon-Avon). More dates on his MySpace page.

More about Krafty Kuts on his blog, MySpace, SoundCloud, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Booking: Click to reveal email