Mstrkrft

Last updated

Mstrkrft
MSTRKRFT @ Wellington Square (27 9 2009) (3986307737).jpg
Keeler and Al-P performing in Perth, 2009
Background information
Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Dance-punk, electro house
Years active2005–present
Labels Last Gang, Ministry of Sound Australia, PIAS Recordings, Dim Mak, ORO Records
Members Jesse F. Keeler
Al-P
Website Official website

Mstrkrft (stylized as MSTRKRFT; disemvowelment of "master craft") is a Canadian electronic music duo from Toronto. The group was started in 2005 by Jesse F. Keeler of Death from Above and Al-P (Alex Puodziukas) formerly of the Mississauga, Ontario [1] electropop group Girlsareshort. [2] [3] [4] Al-P was also the producer for Death from Above 1979's album You're a Woman, I'm a Machine as well as several of (Jesse's former band) Black Cat #13's records. The duo have been close friends, as well as work partners, for a long time. [5] Mstrkrft also produced Die Mannequin's first EP, How to Kill, and Magneta Lane's second LP, Dancing With Daggers. [6]

Contents

Mstrkrft has been commissioned to remix songs by such artists as Death From Above 1979, Justice, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Bloc Party, Ayumi Hamasaki, Metric, Wolfmother, [7] Annie and The Kills. [8]

History

Their first single was "Easy Love", released in 2006 on Last Gang Records. They released their second single, "Work On You", on 6 July. In contrast to the "Easy Love" music video, "Work On You" featured animated robots, similar to those found in classic cartoons (similar to Voltron and Transformers). The band has created remixes from a variety of other artists ranging from Buck 65 to The Kills to Death from Above 1979.

Mstrkrft released their debut album, The Looks, on 18 July 2006 in the United States and 2 February 2007 in Britain. Keeler and Al-P told Eye Weekly weeks before the release of The Looks, that as the album was being finished, the planning stages for a follow-up record had already begun. Describing the upcoming album's new direction, Al-P said that the album would be "darker, underground disco and house with elements of American rock music."

The 2007 version of their song "Street Justice" was also released as a single. On the band's website message board, Keeler mentioned they were also working on a compilation album composed of their remixed tracks. "Street Justice" was also featured in Saints Row 2 . "Neon Knights" was also featured on Need For Speed: Pro Street , their remix for Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." was featured in the film Meet the Spartans , and "Work on You" was featured in Dirt 2 .

Their song "Paris" was featured in a 2006 commercial for the online music store URGE. In 2007, Mstrkrft appeared at the WEMF World Electronic Music Festival.

In September 2007, Mstrkrft performed at an Australian spring music festival "Parklife" in Brisbane. They performed their remix of the song "Woman" from Modular label mates Wolfmother. Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother appeared on stage and sang live while Mstrkrft performed the remix.

In 2008, they released a mix CD with Z-Trip through Obeygiant.com. In conjunction with this CD, Obey offered the Artwork print, entitled Soundclash of the Titans. On 24 May 2008, Mstrkrft was featured on BBC Radio 1 show, The Essential Mix. Mstrkrft later performed at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which included a diverse group of artists ranging from Metallica to Jack Johnson.

In 2009, their remix of "Woman" by Wolfmother was featured in the film Lesbian Vampire Killers . On 17 March 2009, Mstrkrft released their second LP, Fist of God. Initial critical response was average, with major periodicals Spin, Rolling Stone, and Blender giving the album less-than-stellar reviews. The album features guest appearances by John Legend, E-40, N.O.R.E., and Lil' Mo, among others. In 2010, their song “Bounce’ featuring N.O.R.E. was featured in DJ Hero 2 .

In 2011, they released two new singles, "Beards Again" and "Back in the USSA". "Beards Again" was later featured on the Injustice: Gods Among Us video game soundtrack in 2013.

The band's third LP, Operator was released on 22 July 2016. The singles "Little Red Hen" and "Party Line" were released in March and May 2016 respectively to promote the album.

Starting in May 2019, MSTRKRFT started releasing a single every month on ORO Records, including "City Violence", "La Chiaccherona", "All Night, All Night", "Buffalo Fat" and "Dorsia".

Band name

The band took out the vowels from their name in order to avoid trademark infringement with Mastercraft, a Canadian tools company. The 'C' was changed to a 'K' in order to maintain the pronunciation and image of the original name. [9]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
Dance
[10]
The Looks —
Fist of God
  • Release date: 17 March 2009
  • Label: Dim Mak
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
12
Operator
  • Release date: 22 July 2016
  • Label: Last Gang
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
17
Black Gloves
  • Release date: 30 October 2020
—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

EPs

YearAlbum
2016Runaway, Vol. I (Remixes)
Runaway, Vol. II (Remixes)
2019Sunshine of My Life
2020Spirit of Truth

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
AUS
[11] 		BEL
(Fl) 		UK
[12] 		US
Dance
2006"Easy Love"————The Looks
"Work on You"————
2007"Street Justice"————
2008"Bounce"/"Vuvuvu"75——14Fist of God
2009"Heartbreaker" (featuring John Legend)635350—
2011"Beards Again"————Non-album singles
"Back in the USSA"————
2016"Little Red Hen"————Operator
"Party Line"————
"Priceless"————
"Runaway"————
2019"City Violence"————Non-album singles
"La Chiaccherona"————
"All Night, All Night"————
"Buffalo Fat"————
"Dorsia"————
"Let Me See You Move"————Sunshine of My Life
2020"Black Gloves"————Black Gloves
"ALEXYSS"————
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hidden Cameras</span> Canadian indie pop band

The Hidden Cameras are a Canadian indie pop band. Fronted by singer-songwriter Joel Gibb, the band consists of a varying roster of musicians who play what Gibb once described as "gay church folk music". Their live performances have been elaborate, high-energy shows, featuring go-go dancers in balaclavas, a choir, and a string section.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death from Above 1979</span> Canadian rock duo

Death from Above 1979 is a Canadian rock duo consisting of bassist Jesse F. Keeler and drummer and vocalist Sebastien Grainger from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 2001. The band released their debut album, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine, in 2004 and broke up in 2006. They reformed in 2011 and released their second album, The Physical World, in 2014. Since then the band has released 2 more albums, Outrage! Is Now in 2017 and Is 4 Lovers in 2021.

DFA Records is an American independent record label founded in 2001 by Mo' Wax co-founder Tim Goldsworthy, musician James Murphy, and manager Jonathan Galkin. They previously had a production team called The DFA, consisting of Goldsworthy and Murphy.

<i>Youre a Woman, Im a Machine</i> 2004 studio album by Death from Above 1979

You're a Woman, I'm a Machine is the debut studio album by Canadian rock duo Death from Above 1979. It was released October 26, 2004, through Last Gang Records. The album was produced by Al-P who would later work alongside Jesse F. Keeler in the electronic music duo MSTRKRFT.

<i>Heads Up</i> (Death from Above EP) 2002 EP by Death from Above

Heads Up is the first studio release by Canadian rock duo Death from Above. It was released December 15, 2002, through Ache Records. The album was produced by Al-P who would later work alongside Jesse F. Keeler in the electronic music duo MSTRKRFT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magneta Lane</span> Canadian indie rock band

Magneta Lane was a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2003 in Toronto. Magneta Lane disbanded in 2014.

<i>Frenzy</i> (Split Enz album) 1979 studio album by Split Enz

Frenzy is the fourth studio album by New Zealand new wave band Split Enz. Frenzy ventured even further beyond the band's art rock roots to more of a pop sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebastien Grainger</span> Canadian singer and musician (born 1979)

Sebastien Alexandre Grainger is a Canadian singer and musician, best known as drummer and singer of the alternative rock duo Death from Above and the singer and guitarist for his band Sebastien Grainger and The Mountains. He is part owner of Giant Studios in Toronto, Ontario with Jimmy Shaw of Metric.

<i>Romance Bloody Romance: Remixes & B-Sides</i> 2005 remix album by Death from Above 1979

Romance Bloody Romance: Remixes & B-Sides is a 2005 remix album by Death from Above. This album is a collection of remixes of songs featured on the album You're a Woman, I'm a Machine released in October 2004. The tracks "Better Off Dead" and "You're Lovely " are B-sides. The group MSTRKRFT was, at the time, a side project of Jesse F. Keeler, who was one half of Death from Above 1979. The Girl on Girl name is the alias of the other half of Death from Above 1979, Sebastien Grainger. The album is their only release to chart on Billboard by hitting number twenty-two on its Top Electronic Albums chart.

Leaf Hound are an English hard rock band formed in 1970, which formed out of a heavy blues rock band called Black Cat Bones. Their 1971 debut album Growers of Mushroom, is cited as a mixture of heavy metal, hard rock, psychedelic rock and stoner rock, and influenced those genres. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal, hard rock, psychedelic rock and stoner rock. They disbanded not long after recording the album. Vocalist Peter French reformed the band with a new lineup in 2004 and they released a studio album in 2007 and a live album in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Die Mannequin</span> Canadian alternative rock band

Die Mannequin was a Canadian alternative rock band from Toronto, founded by guitar player and singer Care Failure in 2005. The band has toured across Canada several times, opening for Buckcherry, Guns N' Roses, Marilyn Manson and Sum 41. They have also toured Europe on several occasions, alone and as an opening act for Danko Jones in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman (Wolfmother song)</span> 2006 single by Wolfmother

"Woman" is a song by Australian rock band Wolfmother. Originally released in 2004 from their debut EP Wolfmother, it was released in 2006 as the fourth single from their debut studio album Wolfmother.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D.A.N.C.E.</span> 2007 single by Justice

"D.A.N.C.E." is the second single by Justice and the first from their album †. It includes edited and extended versions of "D.A.N.C.E", a rougher mix in the style of their earlier releases, "B.E.A.T", and the track "Phantom" which was previously issued in limited quantities twice on 12" vinyl preceding the release of "D.A.N.C.E.".

Last Gang Records is a record label formed by Canadian music industry lawyer Chris Taylor and concert promoter Donald K. Tarlton in the fall of 2003 at the Pop Montreal Music Festival. Last Gang was nominated as Independent Record Label of the Year at the Canadian Music Awards in 2006.

<i>Modular Presents: Leave Them All Behind 2</i> 2007 compilation album by Various artists

Modular Presents: Leave Them All Behind 2 is the 2007 double-disc follow-up to Modular Recordings' 2005 dance-rock compilation Modular Presents: Leave Them All Behind. Similar to that compilation, Disc 1 is mixed while Disc 2 is unmixed.

<i>How to Kill</i> 2006 EP by Die Mannequin

How To Kill is the first EP by the Canadian rock band Die Mannequin, released on September 25, 2006. Produced by electronic music group MSTRKRFT, How To Kill was the group's first release and because Care Failure had yet to put together a full-time band she performed the vocals, guitar and bass herself with the drums being handled by Jesse F. Keeler of MSTRKRFT and Death from Above 1979 fame.

Nightbox were a dance-punk band originally from Wicklow, Ireland. The five-piece consisted of Toronto-born brothers Jacob Alexander (Vocals) and Nicolas Amadeus (Drums), and Irishmen Andrew Keyes (Bass), James Tebbitt and James Shelly (Synthesizers).

Taelor Deitcher, better known by his stage name Felix Cartal, is a Canadian DJ and electronic dance music producer. He released his first EP Skeleton in 2009 once he signed with Dim Mak Records. Since then he has gone on to release four full-length albums, 2010's Popular Music, 2012's Different Faces, 2018's Next Season, and 2021's Expensive Sounds for Nice People. Cartal has toured with Wolfgang Gartner, MSTRKRFT, and Bloody Beetroots. Cartal set the trend of collaborating with unpredictable vocalists in the dance scene such as Sebastien Grainger of Death from Above 1979, Maja Ivarsson of The Sounds and Johnny Whitney of The Blood Brothers.

<i>Operator</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Mstrkrft

Operator is the third studio album by Canadian electronic music duo Mstrkrft. It was released on July 22, 2016, by Last Gang Records.

The following is a discography of the Canadian band Death from Above.

References

  1. ↑ IMO Records. "MSTRKRFT Biography" Archived 16 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine , IMO Records' Retrieved on 14 March 2011.
  2. ↑ Derdeyn, Stuart. "Austin's just one brief stop on Mstrkrft's musical voyage", The Gazette , 2007-03-15, p. D3.
  3. ↑ Rayner, Ben. "On Death and dying: Death from Above 1979: Keeler and Grainger fold band, leaving an indie rock legacy", Toronto Star , 2006-12-31, p. C5.
  4. ↑ Alderson, Glenn. "They're Krfty: Who needs vowels when you've got vocoders", Calgary Herald , 2006-07-21, p. SW8.
  5. ↑ [ dead link ]
  6. ↑ Dancing With Daggers (CD liner). Magneta Lane. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Paper Bag Records. 2006. PAPER019.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ Devlin, Mike. "Masters of keyboards 'move with the times'", Times-Colonist , 2006-07-29, p. B3.
  8. ↑ Rayner, Ben. "Seriously, they do dance music: MSTRKRFT: DJ union mines shared passion for electronica", Toronto Star , 2006-07-06, p. G4.
  9. ↑ "MSTRKRFT". DJZ.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "Mstrkrft Chart History: Top Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard . Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Issue 1003" (PDF). webarchive.nla.gov.au. 23 August 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  12. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.