Crookers interview

Crookers interview

15 February, 2008 | 12.33PM

• Written by: jamiegardiner1
• Filed under: Music News: crookers, southern fried

Crookers are destined for big things in 2008.

Hailing from Milan, Italy, Bot and Phra are taking their dirty, crooked bass sound to the world.

The boys can count Justice and BBC Radio One’s Annie Mac amongst their biggest fans.

Last month, Crookers recorded a mini-mix for Annie Mac’s Mash Up Show

The duo are about to hit the road with shows in Europe, Australia and New York amongst the stop-offs.

Coming together as Crookers in 2003, both have been passionate about music from an early age.

Bot first took up the piano and guitar, later moving onto synths, turntables and sequencers.

Phra had already started DJing by age 11, when he was introduced to the Italian hip hop scene.

Crookers have sleazed out dance floors with a catalogue of original tracks, but their remixing skills have made them one of the most in-demand names in the business.

Recent remixes include Armand van Helden’s monster ‘I Want Your Soul’, Magik Johnson’s ‘The Bushman’ and the Azzido Da Bass classic ‘Dooms Night’ .

They are currently working on their debut album and have just released a new EP ‘Knobbers EP’ on Southern Fried Records.

I caught up with Bot ahead of the Milanese duo’s debut at Scotland’s biggest electro/alternative night, Death Disco.

What can the Death Disco (Glasgow) crowd expect to hear from Crookers?

MO FIRE!

Your hip-hop influences shine through on every track. Who are your top three hip-hop producers?

Our favourite producers are J Dilla, Timbaland and Flying Lotus.

What can you tell us about your new EP ‘Knobbers’?

This EP is to be the first single from our album coming out later this year.

We wanted to start with three tracks for the dancefloor just to warm up the crowd but the album won’t be a collection of dance tracks.

What does 2008 have in store for Crookers?

The album!

And releases for Diplo‘s Mad Decent, one for Man Recordings featuring Isa GT and remixes as usual.

What advice would you give to any up and coming producers today?

Work hard and believe in Jesus!

Production: hardware, software or both?

It’s both.

A big part is made with software, but hardware is very important too.

We have synths (Moog, DX-7, MS-10, Virus and Juno 106) and some analog compressors to warm up the soup.

Which rapper would you most like to remix?

Twista — but officially.

Are you prepared for the Arches, Glasgow crowd? We are renowned for our crazy behaviour!

Sounds fuckin good!

Tour dates can be found on Crookers MySpace page.

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