Polsslag, Hasselt. We’re waiting in the persroom for JFK from MSTRKRFT to show up for an interview. JFK walks in, barely awake, but already with a glass of Jack Daniels in his hand and surprisingly already looking fresh. But hey, what’s better then Jack Daniels as breakfast?
Why is one of the tracks from the new EP bounce, called VUVUVU?
JFK: Well that’s actually a funny story, while we were dining with Justice. Justice told us: “When we make music it sounds like Boem, Tsch, Boem, Tsch en when you guys make music it sounds like VUVUVU. So after we made this track, we realized it really does sound like VUVUVU, so we called it that way.
This track is actually made only for dj’ing. I found it rather funny knowing that some people listen to a track like this in their cars and stuff. The track sounds all time like VUVUVU, so it’s not really meant to be listened while chilling in your car or elsewhere.
This track started his own life through youtube, from your set in Paris.
JFK: “The most fucked up thing” was that a person ripped the audio from a youtube movie and then placed it online as “the new MSTRKRFT record”. When I heard it in a club I was like, what the fuck is this?! We had to release the record, because I didn’t want people to think that was the new MSTRKRFT record!
When is the new album coming out in Belgium?
JFK: I’m hoping for September, but the problem is, that we have lots of record companies. I want the album to be released everywhere around the same time, so it would be fair to all and otherwise people will start downloading it anyway. So keep an eye for it around September.
Are you going to play at festivals in Belgium this summer ?
I hope so, I would like to play on pukkelpop again, it would be my 4th time. Once with Death from Above and twice with MSTRKRFT. A third time with MSTRKRFT would be great.
Are you planning on playing with the Mexican Sombreros again at Pukkelpop?
JFK: You know the funny thing was, I totally forgot about them. That night I went to sleep at around 9 o’clock in the morning, because some of our friends were also playing that night. So we drank a lot of alcohol that night (I think there was nothing left anymore), I then, while I was very drunk, put on the sombrero and thought it looked cool. Later when we came back to the VS, a friend told me about me wearing the sombrero while playing. I couldn’t even remember it until I saw the youtube movie.
Isn’t it hard to play while being that drunk?
JFK: I started dj’ing in 1996, so I have been around now for quite a long time, and the records we play are records of our own, and the rest of the records are always a own version we give to the records. So being knowing the records that good, I don’t mess stuff up. But unfortally I don’t get that drunk anymore like I used to do. I can be totally wasted without you knowing, but you don’t have to ask me anything about it the next day, because I don’t remember much about it then, kinda like the sombrero story, haha.
Is MSTRKRFT going to play their new album live?
JFK: I think playing live in the electro scene is a big discussion, Because i played live in Death from above, i know what live Music is. Electro Music is made with samples, so you’re not playing live. It’s a discussion we have alot. If i wanted to make a live song, i want for example to play the drums. In dance Music however, no matter how famous you are, if the mix ain’t right, everyone will go and yell “BOE”. You’re being rated by your mixing skills. De timing has to be perfect, but what’s most important for me: how do I merge 2 songs into 1 new song of your own. You’ve got to put your own personal touch in it. I think in some aspects, electro Music is even more live then making real live Music. When you’re playing live Music, you can’t just switch a note when u want to. Because you wrote the song how it is and you have to play it like that, otherwise it just doesn’t sound well. Dj’ing is a different story, you can mix whatever record you want with the one playing.
The poster of Polsslag said ‘DJ-set’, that’s why we thought maybe a live set in the future?
JFK: I don’t know why they did that, we’ve never played live.
Why do you call yourself MSTRKRFT and not just MASTER KRAFT?
JFK: Well, at First we wanted to use the name MASTER KRAFT, but there was a company in Canada that already used the name. It produces screwdrivers etc. So we just left out the vowels, and it actually kept sounding the same.
What was your First big love: was it rock, dance or ain’t there a big difference ?
JFK: I think your First Music is the Music your parents listen to. My parents mostly listened to black – and rap Music. For example: my parents hated bands like the rolling stones and the beatles. While i actually quite liked them. I try to bring all my influences together in my Music. If you hear the new MSTRKRFT, you’ll be blown away!
© GetHypedOnThis & Bounce! Magazine
Bonus:
THUNDERHEIST – Jerk It (Nasty Nav + JFK Remix)
Jesse Mccartney – Leavin’ (JFK Remix)
