Kraak & Smaak

Kraak & Smaak are an electronic group from Leiden, the Netherlands, active since 2003. They are a Dutch musical producer trio whose line-up includes Seb van den Berg, Oscar de Jong, André Kemp, Mark Kneppers and Wim Plug. Their work combines club-oriented production with live musicians and vocalists.

Career

The group releases its first album, Boogie Angst, worldwide in 2005. Their second album, Plastic People, follows in 2008 and includes the single “Squeeze Me”, which helps establish their international profile. They go on to release Electric Hustle in 2011 and Chrome Waves in 2013.

In 2016, they release their fifth album, Juicy Fruit, which returns to a more organic sound associated with their debut. That album features collaborations with Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Biddines, Parcels and Cleopold. The remix album Juicy Fruit Remixed follows, with contributions from Eli Escobar, Fouk, Purple Disco Machine, Moods and Thatmanmonkz.

Live work and recognition

Kraak & Smaak build a reputation on the Dutch circuit and then receive invitations to major festivals and venues in Europe and the United States, including SXSW, Coachella, Miami’s WMC and New York’s CMJ. They also perform at Glastonbury, Lowlands, Sziget and Exit, and appear on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night television show during a five-week US tour.

Their live profile brings further recognition from the UK dance press, and they win the European Border Breakers Award alongside Adele. Over time, their touring extends across West and Eastern Europe, the Americas and Asia, alongside an extensive US tour.

Collaborations and remixes

Alongside their own releases, the group works on remixes for Moby, Aretha Franklin, Chromatics and Röyksopp. They also collaborate with Romanthony on “Let’s Go Back” and with Ben Westbeech on “The Future Is Yours”. Other notable singles include “How We Gonna Stop The Time”, which is licensed for release on Axtone Records, and later tracks such as “Hendo” and “Scorched”, released on Exploited and Spinnin’ Deep.

Reception

Their music attracts support from US radio and online platforms, including KCRW and Hype Machine, and their track “I Don’t Know Why” reaches number two in the College Radio CMJ/RPM charts. “Stumble” reaches number one on Hype Machine’s Most Popular list, and “I Don’t Know Why” is picked up by the Jimmy Kimmel show band.