Weekly > Interviews
Krazy Baldhead
Krazy Baldhead is a French artist based on the now ultra cool Ed Banger Records label, while dance music definitely runs through his album (The B-Suite), it’s unlike anything else i’ve heard this year, with so many influences and sounds throughout it, the variation is astounding.
Tour wise he has some dates coming up in the UK over the next few days and dates throughout Europe in May and June. All of them are listed on his MySpace page.
I caught up with him recently to get an idea of his musical background, how that had shaped his sound and to see what the live dates would hold for people going along to see him perform…
Your musical background is ten years in the music academy learning to play ‘parisian jazz’ how was the whole experience of that?
Well, it was first “southern classical” (learning music in my birth town near Marseille) then parisian jazz, which was great. It’s a great way of learning the dynamics and interactions of the instruments. What I love about jazz is that musicians are forced to listen to each other when playing. I think the ‘pro’ side of jazz is not that bright though, a bit too elitist. Electro feels more confortable regarding this.
How do you feel that set you up in terms of helping you put together your debut album?
I think it mostly gave me more freedom. in a way, it was easier than playing in a band: when you play and want to get the band to a certain thing (a groove / be more quiet), you have to make yourself clearly
understood. I tried to keep the same approach, like “if I was playing the drums right now, what would I play?”
Talking of the debut album, it’’s out shortly in the UK, what can you tell us about the overall feel of the album?
It’s very varied, ranging from deep grooves to orchestral parts, electro, soul, blues, whatever. Basically there’s not a single style, although it’s quite hip-hoppy. It’s divided in four movements, so that keeps the whole thing more
compact and homogenous. Honestly, it’s pretty hard to describe…
When you were recording it what setting did you imagine people listening to it in?
Well, mostly being in a quiet place and having a bit of spare time ahead. Being in a gentle mood, or being on a train and listening to it on their ipod making their own little trip. Well, the kind of places you listen to music too, not only clubs.
Weblinks
Add to favouritesIt’s out on Ed Banger Records, you must have been delighted when you first hooked up with them, they are a very forward thinking record label?
Well, I guess so! Things weren’t that big when I signed with them in 2004 though. It’s a great story, and beautiful people to work with. So yes, i’m glad I met them.
You’ve got some dates coming up soon in Europe and in particular the UK, what can people expect from those live dates if they come to see you?
It’s a rework of my album and previous releases. You can expect to dance, bang your head (and your Ed!), laugh and cry, fall in love and get born again. Yes, all of that!
Have you been over and played in the UK before and how were the shows if you have?
I’ve played a couple of times, yes. At Gatecrasher last summer, a couple of times in London and other places. It was cool but to be honest I feel like people in the UK don’t even know there’s an act on Ed Banger called Krazy Baldhead. I don’t know exactly why. I really like the UK though, i’ve spent one year in Brighton which was great, and most of my influences come from there.
You’ve got the album and the live dates coming up, what does the rest of the year hold for you after that?
I’m preparing (polishing actually) an album for another project, called Donso (signed on Infiné), that is a blend of electro and music from Mali, with a singer and some musicians. i’m not sure when it will be finished, but it will be very different from Krazy Baldhead.
Finally, are there any other great artists in France that are emerging that we should be keeping an ear out for?
I’ve really enjoyed Rone’s first album “Spanish Bkeakfast”. Great stuff that reminded me of the good Warp Records
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