Krafty Kuts

FOLLOW THE BEATS: BreakBeat Energy’s Monthly EDM Newsletter – December 2009

As if the interview of Shut Up And Dance wasn’t enough, BreakBeat Energy follows up their interview with none other than world renowned breakbeat superstar, the man himself…Krafty Kuts.

BreakBeat Energy: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions. You’ve become one of the most well known names in Breaks; tell us about your beginnings.

KK: I used to DJ for a band and do the warm up’s for them (Big Corporation), a funky reggae act, but I wanted more than just this. I practiced DJ-ing learning how to scratch and mix and built my record collection up and eventually I had people coming to see me rather than the band. I then set up my own night in Worthing with Mex (Black Grass) called Funki Yeah Funki where we played Hip Hop, and funk; it really was a fantastic event. We even had Norman Cook come down to see us play. I then got the opportunity to spin at the legendary Sterns (Mansion House), where they used to do the big raves back in the early 90’s, this was the beginning of where I was introduced to new flavors and genres of music, and my life changed overnight.

BreakBeat Energy: Who has been your biggest inspiration when it comes to your music?

KK: Jazzy Jeff, DJ Cashmoney & Fatboy Slim. These guys helped me improve in many areas like technical and showmanship, the whole elements needed to be a great DJ & producer. I would watch them all and study the way they would entertain and get the crowd on there side, plus dropping tunes at the right time etc etc. They really helped made me what I am today.

BreakBeat Energy: What producers, whether it be the well known or the up and comers, are you feeling at the moment?

KK: Black Noise has been making some interesting tunes and there sound has hip-hop flavors, which I like. A.Skillz always makes those party cut up Monsters that rock the dance floors, and Adsorb has been making some heavy edits that have been causing havoc and mayhem. Jack Beats, Deekline, Ed solo and Tim Healey have been cooking up a storm with some of their new bits and I am loving what they are making. Doorly is dropping some heavy dubstep vibes, which I am digging, and Chase & Status and Sub Focus are pushing the boundaries of music with there incredible productions…there is so much great music out there, it is good times for sure.

BreakBeat Energy: What would you say is your favorite Breaks tune of all time?

KK: Now that is a hard question as there really has been so many … Electric Disco/The Push – Plump DJ’s, Zero – Emit (R P Mix), Purple Funky Monkey – JDS. But to be honest Azzido Da Bass – Dooms Night (Timmo Mass Mix) is the one for me. It’s just an awesome piece of dance music that can still rock it big time whenever dropped.

BreakBeat Energy: Along those same lines, out of any genre of music, what is your favorite?

KK: My favorite song LP is The Best of Roy Ayers, a compilation of his best work on one CD; so perfect for any time of the day. This CD puts me in the best frame of mind and inspires me to want to write music.

BreakBeat Energy: Your new “Against The Grain” double CD mix recently debuted. What can you tell us about that?

KK: This basically came about from all the edits/ReRubs etc I had been making for my DJ sets and so many dj’s and fans were wanting the tunes, so I spoke to Lloyd (ATG partner) and we thought let’s get these tunes out. It really was a lot of hard work as some of the labels were not co-operative and also some of the tunes were not even out or released but in the end we got there. This is a good reflection of the music I have been dropping at the clubs for the last year and also doing a mix of all the classics from the label was fun as well. We both realized we had put out so many great tunes over the last 10 years it was the perfect time to put this CD out and we are really happy with the finished product.

BreakBeat Energy: You keep a pretty busy tour schedule that takes you to places around the world. What are some events that you’ve performed that you will never forget?

KK: Field Day New Years Day in Sydney coming on after Groove Armada to 25,000 screaming people was just amazing. And playing to 30,000 at the Big Day out with Dynamite MC around Oz was just ridiculous. Memories I shall treasure for life

BreakBeat Energy: In today’s over-populated DJ world, it seems that more and more people think you need to produce in order to “make it big.” What are your thoughts on this?

KK: Yeah you really do need to have music out there in order to make it big. I think it is impossible to break big off the back of being just a good DJ; you need the whole package to take it to the next level as there is just so much competition. Also you need good management, PR, visuals, and some big club bangers help.

BreakBeat Energy: With the ever growing popularity of such genres as Electro, Fidget, and Dubstep, some people seem to think Breaks have been on a decline over the last few years. How do you feel about this, and in what direction do you see the genre as a whole going?

KK: I think it has taken a back seat as so many great producers have jumped ship and gone to another scene where they will just be a small fish in a big pond when they were huge in the scene they were loved and adored by dj’s and fans alike. This is a real shame and really hit the breaks scene hard, but slowly and surely it is returning back to where it deserves to be. Everything goes in cycles and Breaks is taking a bit of a back seat, maybe to find itself again, but whenever I play out people are as enthusiastic as ever so I see a great future.

BreakBeat Energy: What advice, if any, would you give to new and up & coming DJs/producers?

KK: Take time to find out exactly the music you are playing, producing is the style for you, then learn more about it’s roots and watch other DJ’s spinning and learn from there skillz. Listen and watch DVD’s and buy as much good music as you can and also don’t be afraid to push the boundaries and be open minded. Most of all enjoy and believe in yourself be passionate and lively music can control our moods and make many people happy and can lead to some fantastic opportunities.