DJ Crads
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DJ Crads (born 1978) is an avant-garde electronica producer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Contents |
[edit] Rhythm
Born to upper middle class parents, Crads demonstrated a knack for rhythm early on. Seeking to harness that energy, his parents enrolled him in a variety of contemporary dance classes at the tender young age of 7. Crads excelled in all forms of dance but was most driven by tap, which provided him with a natural outlet for his inner rhythm. Although he went on to win numerous awards in tap between the ages of 9 and 15, Crads would later credit the entire spectrum of his dance training with enabling him to develop his own unique style of movement. Today, he moves night club crowds with a blend of genre-bending beats coupled with an idiosyncratic style of dance which draws from the more established styles of hip hop, rave, modern jazz and robot. Fans of his increasingly popular live act have described his stage presence as "electric".
[edit] Musical Beginnings
Though the transition from tap phenom to electronica virtuoso would prove to be natural, 10 years and numerous pastimes came and went for Crads before he stumbled upon the art of music production. After observing a roommate experimenting with a piece of production software, he sat down with the program and began his foray into the realm of fringe house music. Trusting only his rhythmic instincts, Crads began to hammer out hypnotic drum patterns which he eventually coupled with intricate melodies and a knack for sonic story-telling. The result was a gallimaufry of aural brilliance, described by one local magazine as "triumphant"; the 2004 underground hit 'S.O.S.' was born.
[edit] Spirituality
Though Crads is adamant that his music not be pigeon-holed as 'Christian' ("my music transcends all spiritual barriers," he tells Uptown magazine), he has made reference to his religious beliefs in various interviews. In speaking to a reporter with the (Winnipeg) Herald, Crads suggested that "for me, making music is like having God speak through me." He is often quick to deflect praise for his abilities, pointing out that he owes much of his inspiration to the Christian faith.
[edit] Current Success
'S.O.S.' continues to tear up the Winnipeg electronica scene as Crads becomes known throughout the city. He plays regular club gigs at the Die Maschine Cabaret and Club 200, and has seen growing success in playing private functions. Meanwhile, Crads' name continues to spread across Canada as electronica aficionados catch wind of his infectious, off-kilter production style. A handful of dance music/electronica publications have recently featured the boundary-pushing producer, with one magazine calling him "the Ghyslain Raza of House" in reference to the pace at which he has (unwittingly) developed a cult following.
[edit] Future
Having released only one independent 12" ('S.O.S.'), Crads is reportedly working on a full length debut album, tentatively titled 'Reflections from Pleasantville'. No release date has yet been announced, pending finalization of record label and distribution contracts.
