INTERVIEW: Krewella (2013)

Krewella is one of the biggest buzzing EDM acts of 2012.? Formed in 2007 with two sisters (Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf) and producer Rain Man, their track “Killin It” became a meme of its own, gaining major attention from DJs and music lovers all around the world.? Their EP “Play Hard” and recently-released remix EP ‘Play Harder” show the depth of their musical tastes, covering the full spectrum of dance genres.? ? Although they are gigging constantly, they are looking forward to taking a break to complete the work for their forthcoming debut artist album. ? I spoke to them when they played in Nashville, right before New Year’s Eve 2012.

Ron Slomowicz: So, where did the name ?Rain Man? come from?
Rain Man: I was doing a hip-hop beat competition in Chicago a couple years ago, and one of the judges asked me my name and when I told him, he said ?no you?re not that, you are rain man because you will have money raining down on you one day.? He was one of my biggest inspirations and mentor for a while and it has stuck.

RS: Speaking of names, where did the name Krewella come from?
Jahan: We came up with it about 4-5 years ago; it was actually before Yasmine was even in the group and while we were trying out other girls. I thought of it when we were writing down lyrics, we were thinking of darker, evil, sexy, feminine lyrics and the name popped in my head and I didn?t even question it. I thought it was the perfect name for a group that would have heavy masculine beats and feminine vocals.

Continue reading INTERVIEW: Krewella (2013)

SONG OF THE DAY: Krewella – “Alive”?

When I last wrote about Krewella, I described them as your “newest dubstep obsession” but have since realized they are so much more.? Seeing the trio in Atlantic City performing a set combining tracks, live vocals, effects, and more,? they literally pumped the crowd up to a new level. ? It was to the point that even the most stodgy industry people finally got why all the kids were into dubstep.? The thing is, their music is not just dubstep, but a sampling of several EDM subgenres – electro, dubstep, glitch, and stadium.? Their new single, “Alive,” is a mix of europop and stadium house that is accessible without being cheesy.? That’s an amazing accomplishment, especially since it sounds like they are recreating the infamous Cappella hook from the ’90s (which was originally “inspired” by Siouxsie and the Banshees “Happy House”). ? The vocals are quite strong and the solid production is hooky, with an energetic chorus that will get any dance floor jumping up and down. The remix package is quite impressive, with not a single weak one in the pack.? Dubstep lovers will go for the Pegboard Nerds and Mitis remixes.? Moore’s big room mix has a touch of the ’90s retro rave sound. ? Jakob Liedholm’s take has some cool filtering effects layered over the stadium groove, while the Cash Cash & Kalkutta is an all out energetic monster.? When a song is this good, you just can’t do a bad mix.


Image Courtesy of Columbia Recordings.

SONG OF THE DAY: Krewella – “Killin It”

Hailing from Chicago is your newest dubstep obsession, Krewella. ?Sounding and looking like a combination of Katy B, The Veronicas, and some of the sickest dropped beats you can imagine, Krewella is “Killin’ It”. ?The track may just be the degree of hot that causes dubstep to fully boil over into the mainstream, as aspects of the genre that have been ridiculed for their repetition and reduction are infused with new quirks. ?Oh, and the vocals are pretty dang cool, too. ?This trio may just have the “oomph,” hope you’ve enjoyed your glimpse of the future.

Continue reading SONG OF THE DAY: Krewella – “Killin It”