Mstrkrft

Mstrkrft is a Toronto, Canada-based electronic group made up of Jesse F. Keeler and Al Puodziukas. The duo forms in 2005, though the two work together intermittently from 1998.

Background

Jesse F. Keeler is known for his work with Death From Above 1979, while Al Puodziukas records and produces under the name Al-P and is associated with Girlsareshort. Before Mstrkrft, Puodziukas works in New York studios including Sound on Sound and Chung King, where he records artists such as Jay-Z, Wyclef Jean and David Clayton Thomas. Keeler and Puodziukas remain in contact while pursuing separate paths, exchanging unreleased dance-music recordings before starting their own project.

Sound and recordings

Mstrkrft’s music combines house, hip-hop, grime, punk and electronic elements, and its work is also associated with dance-pop, electro house, electroclash and industrial techno. The pair’s stated aim is to make music that gets people dancing. Their first album, The Looks, is released on Last Gang Records in North America and on Modular in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Collaborations and recognition

Keeler and Puodziukas work with Death From Above 1979 on You're A Woman, I'm A Machine, helping to shape the album’s mix of rock energy and disco influence. Mstrkrft also builds a reputation through remixes for acts including The Kills, Annie and Wolfmother; their remix of Wolfmother’s “Woman” leads to a Grammy nomination for Best Remix.

Live activity

The group appears at the Sonofilia festival in Guadalajara, Mexico, alongside Ratatat, Jay-Jay Johanson, Claude VonStroke and Björk.