DJ/Producer Kraddy: Edginess = Innovation

Kraddy kicks and shreds the pedestrian with his unique sound, perspective and skill.  His latest body of work, ‘The Labyrinth’ EP – drops Nov. 9th.

Links:

http://www.kraddyodaddy.com

http://www.myspace.com/kraddy

twitter: kraddyodaddy

Currently based in La La Land, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Detroit.  Thinking about it now, Detroit would suit him well.  Very much like that city, his music is not something you’ll hear in an elevator while awkwardly trying to avoid a harmless gaze.  Rather it’s the stuff that should be played while walking down sketchy looking alleyways or in questionable rooms found while exploring even more questionable premises. Basically, Kraddy summed up his music best with ‘HEAVY, DIRTY, NASTY’.

What I am trying to get at is that Kraddy’s music, like his personality, is raw, real and absolutely honest, i.e it’s the good sh*t!  I kind of get the feeling like it’s going to be someone’s soundtrack for their bad decisions…in the best possible way.

Interview:

Q1: Edginess seems to follow from innovation. Artists who try to side-step the pedestrian, tend to create things that sound dark, satirical and critical. Is that a safe approximation at how you arrive at your own sound or approach music production in general?

A:  Edginess = Innovation

I think that being edgy, pushing the limits of what is accepted, is the only way to innovative. And I strive to push boundaries as an artist. But I don’t think about it when I’m doing it. It’s just the premise I start from but I forget it after that and just make what feels right.

Q2: If someone gives you a song to listen to critically (i.e they ask you for your opinion, or something of that nature) what is the first thing that you focus on, BEFORE you can give them you ‘professional opinion / critique’ – would it be its musical components or its lyrics (if it has any)?

A:  When someone gives me a song to listen to I always hear the production value and the tone/mood created by the progression.   By production value I mean the way the music was created and recorded, it’s overall sound. Then I hear the progression and vibe of the song. Those are the first two things that always jump out at me.

Q3: What current genera of music have you recently been very inspired by as a consumer? Does this inspiration translate into your work?

A:  I consume music like a fat person consumes cupcakes. I binge on things for a while and then move on to something else. Recently I’ve been into Neil Young’s new album, J Dilla, Alex B, Led Zeppelin (always), The Rolling Stones, Flying Lotus, Dibiase. I’ve been trying to educate myself on the wonky off-beat stuff and I always listen to lots of classic rock. The feel of stuff I’m inspired by always works it’s  way into my music. But it’s usually an indirect influence.  I listen to it and then later on elements of those songs find their way into my songs. Sometimes I will steal something consciously and directly, like Bonham’s hats, but who could blame me.

Q4: Your new EP – The Labyrinth – drops Nov. 9th, how does this album relate to your previous work AND how does this EP work as a stand alone piece representing your current headspace in regards to your artistic progression?

A:  I’m very excited for this music to come out. It’s only 5 songs but I’ve put an album’s worth of work into it. While I was writing “Android Porn” I discovered a whole new style – something I had been looking for for a while.  These songs are and extension of that sound.  I’ve brought together the depth and fullness of classic rock and the boom and bleeps of digital music.  The new EP  sounds  both modern and familiar. The final element was that it had to be epic.  All the songs are written to create maximum emotion with serious force.

The name of the EP, Labyrinth, is based on the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.   Recently I’ve been intrigued by the myth of the hero. I wanted to capture the fear, struggle and triumph of the hero in the music.  I thought a lot about Theseus when I was writing this, who willingly trapped himself in the Labyrinth and was hunting and being hunted by a monster that none had survived, the Minotaur. It’s a metaphor for going inside ones self and facing the fears that lie within.

Q5: Is there a track on ‘The Labyrinth’ that are you most psyched for your fans to hear OR for you to play live?

A:  All of them have been my favorite at sometime. Right now, the first track Mono is my favorite.

Q6: If you could summarize the EP in just 3 words what would they be?

A: HEAVY, DIRTY, NASTY.

Q7: Listening to your body of work, thus far, there is BOTH continuity and disjunction (i.e a diversity of artists remixed, inspirations, themes, etc.). Is this something that you are very conscious to create or did it happen organically?

A:  That’s just the way I am. I didn’t set out to make my music that way, it just happened.  Its a conglomerate of a wide range of sounds and views, some amicable, some contradictory, all trying to get along. Like NYC.

Q8: You have worked with interesting, innovative musician/artists/DJ’s thus far, whom have you NOT worked with yet that you would like to work with or along side?

A:  I keep a list so this is easy to answer:

• Rick Rubin
• Ludacris
• Mos Def
• Method Man and Redman
• Trent Reznor
• Mike Patton
• Z-Trip
• Evol Intent
• El-P
• Dave Grohl/Them Crooked Vultures
• Mono

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Much love to Kraddy!  Keep golden and can’t wait to hear you do the voodoo that you do LIVE!  With love, from Canada.