|
  Dark Craftsmen Interview
interview 0329 added 19.08.05 words: Chris B
technical:
QED
Several Years ago The Dark Craftsmen were signed to UK Rap
Records alongside Killa Instinct, Criminal Minds Crew and
Eastborn and then all went quiet. Now the boys from Southampton
release their long awaited album on a Scottish Label? We went to
find out what’s going on?
So you won best UK newcomers some years ago on UKHH.com, what’s
happened since then?
 Since then we finished the album and were waiting for a label to
put it out. I also set up another group called 'The Pickpockets'
so I was busy with that.
What’s your views on UK Hip Hop at the moment, compared to say
that of past legends like Hijack, Demon Boyz, Gunshot etc?
I love both the New and the Old UK Hip Hop, I probably prefer
the old days of Hijack, Hardnoise, Son of Noise etc because
that’s what I grew up with but every time I hear a 'Jellyfish
Kiss' or 'Murder' I get a buzz for UK the same as ever. So you
are now on Drop Zone Records, what made you leave UK Rap
Records? It was a simple matter of budget, they didn't have
enough cash to put the album out and give it the promotional
support it would need.
Your sound is very real and no bling element in it, it seems a
very solid Hip Hop release, what’s the most important element of
Hip Hop to you?
The sound has no bling attached to it because at
the time when I started recording the album that stuff didn't
really exist!....
Your Album seems to cover Old Skool, New Skool,
hardbeats, a lot of DJ involvement, what’s the main "Element" of
Hip Hop to you?
The most important element of Hip Hop for me is
enjoyment, if I’m not enjoying myself I have to ask why the fuck
I'm doing it!? It shouldn't be a job.
“...I probably
prefer the old days of Hijack, Hardnoise, Son of Noise etc
because that’s what I grew up with...”
You have been around the UK and Europe, where would you say was
your best show and why?
The best show we did was in Hamburg with Eastborn in a burnt out squat overlooking the river and on the
other side was the worlds largest graffiti piece (at the time) by
Dame and Lumet. I remember looking over a packed crowd of rowdy
Germans, seeing the graff and thinking to myself "this is Hip
Hop"!
Your sound has been described as very dark and hardcore, how
would you describe your sound?
 To be honest I don't know??? Its
not really my sound its part of my sound, its the sound of that
particular project (DCM). I like experimenting with different
areas of hip hop but at the time the style I was rapping sat
nicely with features beats and the project kind of wrote itself.
To define the sound for DCM I'd say it was dark, futuristic,
old, new, good, bad, wicked, tired, hard, refreshing,
different... I dunno??? these are all things that run
through my head while trying to define a project that I started
8 years ago!
You also worked with Ice T and the Pickpockets (which you
mentioned), how did that come about and what have you got
planned for the future there?
I went on tour with Ice-T for his SMG tour when I was in the Pickpockets. It was real nice we did
the length and breadth of the UK from Brighton to Edinburgh it
was dope! When I was with the Pickpockets we did loads of shows
with good acts including Ice-T, Black Eyed Peas, Beatnuts, Mark
Ronson, Ugly Duckling, Phi-Life, SkinnyMan etc It was a good
time but all good things come to an end and we split.
You have a solid Underground audience and the labels getting you
on msnmusic.com, iTunes etc, as well as that your being sold as
far a field as Australia, but you don’t seem to be getting the
same love in the UK? Can you tell me why you think that is?
Probably because I’m a fat lazy bastard!!! We don’t do many gigs
in the UK mainly because it’s hard to get the whole crew
together. We all work on different things now and time isn't
always in abundance for us. You have to remember that the album
was completed a few years back and, although we didn't
officially split we all moved on and adjusting back sometimes
isn’t the easiest. Plus there is the fact that no-one likes
us!!!
“...I remember
looking over a packed crowd of rowdy Germans, seeing the graff
and thinking to myself "this is Hip Hop!...”
Ha ha. If you could work with anyone on a track who would it be
and why?
I'd love to do a proper Old Skool UK track with
Kamanchi-Sly, Cu-Roc and Silver Bullet. Either that or someone
like El-P or Cannibal Ox... Failing that someone like Beyonce, because at least you know you'd be up for nice bit of
dollar!
Are there any plans of a tour with your LP "No Shadows on your
Sundial"?
 Tour wise that’s pretty much up to Riz, I'd love to do some more
shows but again its all about the amount of time free from
everyone. In a perfect world I'd love to hit a little tour of
Europe, do a couple of shows in Australia and obviously hit a
few spots around the UK especially Edinburgh, that place is off
the shelf!
Any shouts you wanna give?
Riz (Eastborn), Dropzone, Darren, Bonzai, Clare and anyone
feeling DCM, Hip Hop fans worldwide and Harry Redknap (go on
son!) Peace. Tek So there it is, straight from the mouth of
Tekneek. My stand out track on the album is T-2000, but I think
there is something on their for everyone. Let hope we don’t have
to wait that long again for another release from the DCM Crew!
For More information visit:
www.dropzonerecords.com you can also
download the Dark Craftsmen Album No Shadow On Your Sundial
direct from iTunes,
Karmadownload.com, Napster or
MSNMusic.com.
-
Chris B
Related Links:
 
|
