Rooftops, Burning Man and tech house: an interview with Krankbrother

Rooftops, Burning Man and tech house: an interview with Krankbrother

31 August, 2011
by: Netti

Netti Khan talks beats, The Burn and obscure venues with the Krankbrothers.

It’s Krankbrother’s 2nd birthday and the sun is shining over a rooftop, levitating high in the sky above the busy streets of Peckham Rye. A crowd of sexy smiles and pouts fill the house haven. All are stomping to the celestial sounds of Lee Curtiss, Heidi and the infamous Krankbrothers: Danny and Kieran.

There’s a bar at one end and system at the other. Anything else would be unnecessary – it’s the skyline that does the talking, the rolling fields of south London on one side and our revered city on the other. Toy cars crawl the map below while we dance freely in the sky – it’s a soaring feeling, escapism.

The sun melts into a vodka cranberry hue swallowing the city and forcing everyone to the afterparty a few floors down. Sucked into a mist of sweat we’re fuelled by a sonic selection of techno-tinged deep house. The night’s topped off by the Krankbrothers, who end it with one of their impressive back to backs – it’s really rare to see a resident shine as much as the guest.

“One of the best” I tell a mate as we amble home – a bold statement but it’s true.
Back to reality and still completely blown away by the party I organise a chat with Danny to find out how it feels to be one of London’s freshest promoters, hosting some of the city’s finest parties.

I hear you’re playing at Burning Man – do you play a lot of other parties?

Yeah it’s my second time – we’re staying in the Crosstown Rebels’ camp with all the usual suspects! We’re playing Fabric in October for Wet Yourself. We’re quite selective about who we play for as we only like to play the good slots.

Tell me how it all started.

It started as a party down in Corsica Studios about five years ago– it was just a fancy dress party with a few friends and it kind of got bigger every year. But then after three years of doing about two there a year, my brother and I decided to go public with Krankbrother, so we started doing it properly.

Were you always wooing crowds with deep/tech house?

We used to just get our friends down and play everything from funk to dubstep to hip hop to drum and bass and techno, but after a couple of years we decided to take control of the music a bit more – only let ourselves play and let go of our friends. I like playing a more kind of sexed up house whereas my brother’s more on the broody German techno. It used to be me, then our headliner and then Kieran but now we always play together, it’s much more enjoyable – I don’t think I’ve played without him for like a year now.

What do you both do outside Krankbrother?

Kieran’s launching the Krankbrother DJ agency next week which is exciting as there’s couple of big ones on there like Alexis Raphael and Wildkats. I’ve got a big warehouse in Shoreditch that I run – we do everything from parties to concerts to fashion shows to art exhibitions. I’ve also got a restaurant in Islington (http://bonniewild.co.uk/) and we’re hoping to open this bar Hoxton in the next six months.

Five ingredients for a good party?

    * Location – it’s got to be interesting and different.
    * Good quality sound – essential.
    * Really good interesting music – usually what me and my brother are really digging at the time.
    * Making good relationships with labels.
    * Trying to do something different to create that nice party vibe!

Apart from rooftops, any other obscure venues?

We’ve done everything from disused theatres, derelict pubs, warehouses and carparks. We really love outdoor parties – but it’s always difficult in London because of the weather and noise complaints – they’re always against you.

What other big names will be gracing Krankbrother line-ups?

We’ve got Nick Curly and Manik in September and then Shonky and Matt Tolfrey in October for our Halloween party.

And your track of the day?

Kraak and Smaak – Let’s Go Back (Solomon remix) Kraak & Smaak - Let's Go Back (feat. Romanthony) (Solomun Remix) by Jalapeno Records

Book early as tickets sell out fast. They are having a Halloween Party too...

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Netti