ARTIST INFO

 

AutoKratz are David and Russell, a London based electronic duo in there twenties. They met in a scuffle outside a nightclub, when Russell, feeling considerably worse for wear, vomited hysterically onto David’s new shoes. In an understandably hostile response, David raised his fists and poised for a brawl. The cowering Russell braced himself, until in a rare moment of good will David paused and calmed himself having noticed his adversaries Devo t-shirt. They got talking about music, and realised that they weren’t so different…

From the outset, they went about making electronic music that matters; music that recognises its inspirations in flashes of Kraftwerk, Daft Punk and Underworld, whilst aspiring to create something unique. The early sessions took place in an east London shed, where autokratz would spend many late nights making noises with guitars and machines until they created a live sound that felt right. In December 2006 they turned up late and unannounced at a warehouse party in Shoreditch and people really started to take notice.

A few months later, a demo found its way into the hands of Gildas Loaec, the man responsible for pioneering Parisian label Kitsune, who have brought the world the likes of Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco and Hot Chip. He was that excited by the embryonic autokratz sound that he immediately added the band to the labels remarkable roster. Their sound embodies the attitude and style of Kitsuné whilst remaining distinctive and innovative, a combination which indicates that this could be the start of something special.

Their name holds a dual meaning for the band; combining a shared fascination with the future as seen by Orwell with the idea of a musical autocracy; autoKratz being the result of two people who are tyrannical over the music they create. They continue to explore this theme visually, with autoKratz becoming represented through their artwork as the evolution of a pharmaceutical conglomerate, growing from a genetic formula into an immoral capitalist corporation. Creating imagery is central to what autoKratz is about, producing electronic music with depth, which expresses different inspirations and ideas.

AutoKratz have come a long way in the short time since their formation, generating a great deal of excitement throughout electronic music, and have notched up an impressive list of shows across Europe alongside some of the biggest names in electronic music. They have crafted a rip-roaring live show and visibly brim with energy and confidence, and it is this energy and a connection with the crowd that sets them apart. Their production work is as in demand as the live show, having recently completed massive remixes for Underworld, Fischerspooner, Headman and Make Model.

Their debut release, ReaKtor was released through Kitsuné in September 07, and received an ecstatic reception from press, radio and dj’s alike. The title track is an electro monster dominated by a vigorous hook with added glitches, bleeps and pulsating melodies and has found support from Pete Tong who has aired on Radio 1, whilst also receiving regular plays along with an interview on XFM. The debut EP has evoked a remarkable reaction in clubs worldwide, with the other side of the record demanding equal attention. The Daft Punk-esque bleepy stomper It's On 'has become a mainstay in Tiga DJ sets of late with it’s compulsive vocal hook and fat glitch funk backbeat typifying the fullness of the AutoKratz sound.

January 2008 saw the second release from autokratz, an EP featuring the driving and impassioned tecked-up 1000% Things alongside the uncontrollably infectious Last Show. They continued their vigorous touring schedule throughout early 2008, with the release of Pardon Garcon in March 2008 coinciding with the appearance of the track on the essential Kitsune Maison 5 compilation. They celebrated this release with their biggest UK headline show to date, to rapturous response from a sell out crowd at London’s KOKO.

Summer 2008 will see the band at festivals across the world, and they will celebrate their appearance at Glastonbury with the release of Stay the Same, a driving and uplifting summer electro anthem, which will be available for free download. August will see the release of Down and Out in Paris and London a mini album to be released on Kitsune, a record which collects all of autoKratz single releases with some new material, completing a summer that will undoubtedly see their continued accession to prominence in electronic music.