Mixer-uppers CKRAFT have a unique approach to the music they make, combining different elements and what not. Going on to release their debut album, with new music already in the works, whilst on the road during their current touring cycle. The band discusses all of this below.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Charles (the bandleader): I grew up listening to metal, it was the only music that would really make sense to me as a teenager. I'd spend hours listening to KoRn, Slipknot, and especially Gojira. Their album "The Link" really changed my perception of music and I still listen to it as an adult with the same passion and awe. Later in my formative years, I saw a jazz big band play live and I was blown away by the exuberant freedom that this music was projecting from the stage. Sooner or later I had to blend these genres!
CKRAFT was born when I discovered the melodies from Middle Ages, especially Gregorian chants. These melodies were the last element I needed in order to write compositions with a strong direction.
I met the other members during my formative years and we're all a bunch of friends as well!
There's Théo Nguyen Duc Long on tenor saxophone, Antoine Morisot on guitar, Marc Karapetian on bass and William but on drums. I play augmented accordion, which is an accordion with electronic sensors, allowing me to play synths directly on the accordion!
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
I think musicians and composers are very similar with craftsmen, in the sense that we all use noble material -for us, middle-ages melodies, the culture of jazz and that of metal- just like craftsmen would use different varieties of wood, minerals, etc. and create something unprecedented directly from these materials, combined with their art, their expertise and experience. That's why I named this band CKRAFT, along with the fact that "Kraft" in German, means strength/energy/force! And there you have it, CKRAFT, a mixture of "craft" and "Kraft"!
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
The band started in Metz (eastern France) and is now based in Paris (France), where the experimental music scene is just crazy!
On the same register as us (Jazz-Metal) I'd suggest checking out French musician Laurent David's trio "Kilter" with Laurent David on electric bass, Ed Rosenberg (from Jerseyband) on bass sax and Kenny Grohowski (from Imperial Triumphant) on drums. We hope to play during the same events in the future!
4. How would you describe your style?
It's a mixture of Jazz, Metal and melodic elements from the Middle Ages, especially from Gregorian Chants.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
We released our first album "Epic Discordant Vision" in June 2022 and are starting a tour as we speak, in Germany and France.
The best way for fans to stay updated would be to follow us on our socials (all the links are here: linktr.ee/ckraft. music), if we play in your town, the info will be in there!
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
We have new music indeed! We're taking advantage of being on tour together these next few weeks to rehearse as often as possible!
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
Oops I might have already answered this question previously! The dates are on our socials ;) linktr.ee/ckraft. music.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
My goal is to keep this band together as long as possible. If it can be a forever thing, I'll be more than happy! The idea is to develop our Jazz-Metal vocabulary together during the years and grow old and experienced together, just like the bands we admire, Gojira and Meshuggah for example, that both have more than 20 to 30 years of career together with the same lineup.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Our music is available in CD and digital form on all platforms, and our merch will soon be accessible on Shopify! In any case, we'll always keep this link updated with everything: linktr.ee/ckraft.music.
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
We want the listener to feel the air thickens around him when he discovers our music. That's how proper Metal feels like, in my humble opinion! That, and the epic melodies and solos. Thanks a lot for having us today!
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