A song that made you want to make music?
Charles (CKRAFT’s bandleader): Hey guys, thanks for having us today!
Well, 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. I guess if there’s a song that launched me into this whole business it would be one of this album! Let’s say the first one. It’s the soundtrack of my teenage really.
Best rider you’ve had?
If by “best rider” you mean the one who drives the best in the band, I’d say our guitarist Antoine. His passion for touring vehicles is a real thing and he drives really smooth!
Craziest moment you’ve had in the band?
We’ve been doing quite a few concerts this year, with a fall tour that started in Germany in a festival called “Freakshow Artrock Fest”. It was memorable, I never saw so much passion in people for avant-guardist music, we sold 40 CDs to a crowd of 200/300 people all wearing MAGMA T-shirts and merchandising, it was like being accepted in a cult for the glory or Prog gods!
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
We have no lyrics at all since we’re a fully instrumental band 😉
Easiest song you wrote?
I’d say “HEIA”, it’s mostly low-C string chug-chug for 5 minutes with sax and synthesiser-accordion improvisations!
Favourite song in your set?
The Loudest Victim, first track of our album – the energy of this song always brings everyone together!
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Tigran Hamasyan, Fredrik Thordendal
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Dealing with fundings and organisational issues, but we have more and more people helping us on that front so it’s getting better!
Interesting fact about one of your members?
One more about our guitarist… His day job is playing French Horn in France’s National Symphonic Orchestra!
Jokes you have in the band?
Mostly stupid noises, or saying “no” to things for no valid reason.
Also I tend to not understand off-beat humour so the other members invented this system where they raise their forearm in front of my as if it’s written “IRONY” on it, si that I understand what they’re saying is actually a joke and not a real thing!
Key to writing a song?
For me it’s grit! It rarely works instantly, I have to continue the efforts for several days/weeks until I can write something proper.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
We’re still quite local so the furthest we’ve been is in Southern France and Germany, that’s about 700-800km.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
My partner! She’s a flute and piano teacher, she doesn’t play much and hasn’t released any album but she has very deep insight on how to make music work, and how to carry emotions with it, and is very good at putting it into words.
New band you’d recommend?
Agabas! They’re a young band like us, Norwegian Deathjazz (yes!) I discovered them recently on Instagram and I love their energy.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Mehusggah of course. That’s our common denominator in CKRAFT
Place you’d most like to tour?
Japan and Taiwan. I have a thing for the food!
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
F.M.Alexander: “People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.”
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
The title “Epic Discordant Vision” (our album) was inspired by a Gregorian chant that we use as a melody (Vision Quam Vidistis) and Meshuggah’s Dancers To A Discordant System which inspired me the main riff!
See us live at?
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The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
Absolutely not, music is always evolving, some of it stays, some of it is forgotten.
The one from “the old days” stayed for a reason.
Also, if by “the old days” you mean Middle Ages, well… we’re using these melodies in our modern days music, so I guess there’d be a loophole here! [laughs].
Unusual merchandise?
No strange merch from us, but I saw Imperial Triumphant on the road and I think they’re the kings of merch. If my memory is correct, they had a fancy white knicker for sale, that they found in the band’s stuff and that apparently belonged to no one, or to someone that wouldn’t admit it! It must be sold by now.
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
Sure! I would love to see extended versions of CKRAFT: with symphonic orchestra, with Big Band, unplugged… These are projects for the future when we’ll be more established!
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything. We do what we do to express something personal, but it’s for them to experience.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Not yet. Fingers crossed that we stay lucky!
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Haha this information I can’t give, sorry!
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Hmmm, probably something heavy but sneaky at the same time, probably in between a walrus and a vulture! They have to embody heavy riffs and agressive sax and accordion textures