Interview:
Crystal Method Tests New Material Via DJ Sets
 

By GARY GRAFF of the Oakland Press

» See more SOUND CHECK

For The Crystal Method, DJ shows are as much about research as they are entertaining crowds.

“Usually when we’re preparing an album, we like to go out and see how (the songs) sound on a big system and how the crowd reacts,” explains Scott Kirkland, who formed the electronic duo in 1993 with fellow Las Vegas native Ken Jordan. But testing new material — for the follow-up to last year’s “Divided By Night” — is only part of the purpose.

“Most of the time, it’s going out to have fun and bring a good show to a city,” Kirkland notes. “We know that when people go out, especially to that type of club event, they just want to go out and get loose. We try to provide the soundtrack for that.”

Kirkland and Jordan certainly have reason to be in the party spirit these days. “Divided By Night,” which features guest appearances by Matisyahu, LMFAO, New Order’s Peter Hook, Metric’s Emily Haynes and others, is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album, something Kirkland — who plans to attend Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles — considers “a surprise.”

“You know, there were a lot of great records out there,” he explains, “and this record was really released through our own label, so it was an independent release, and those usually don’t get nominations. But I was happy. I really like it, and I thought it was worthy of nomination.”



The Crystal Method performs Saturday (Jan. 30) at the Vain Ultra Lounge, 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20-750. Call 313-963-9707 or visit www.vaindetroit.com.