Although KRAAK & SMAAK originally started out as a studio project for the founding members Oscar De Jong, Mark Kneppers & Wim Plug, it quickly became one of the hottest live properties in electronic music. The additional live band members of Ro Krom (drummer, vocalist), Rose (vocalist) and Marc (bass) coupled with the keyboards, FX and percussion played by the band themselves is a formidable slice of funk on the dance floor. Since releasing their debut album 'Boogie Angst', they have played over 200 live band gigs, have been hailed as a "Must See Live Band", supported the stadium-rocking Faithless on their European tour, and played some of the most prestigious gigs in the USA during 2007, including SXSW and shows at the Winter Music Conference.

Released in the US on September 9 via ULTRA Records, the band's sophomore record Plastic People  captures the K&S brand of future funk and features the first single " Squeeze Me." In addition to the banjo twang, disco suave synths, hints of a string orchestra, gypsy-tinged clarinet melody and the soulful broken beat that threads its way through the music, the album also has stand-out collaborations, including "That's My Word" which features one of their hero's rapper Dudley Perkins.

- the band's 2nd release Plastic People is medley of funk, jazz, disco, lounge and electro.

***Kraak and Smaak are playing at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday, November 13th. Buy tickets [here].*** I was able to catch Oscar De Jong for a brief phone interview as he got into New York City after playing funked up sets in D.C. and Baltimore earlier in the week. Hi Oscar, Welcome. Interesting time to be in the US? How do you feel about playing in the US in the aftermath of an Obama victory? Hi Man! Yes, we noticed the people are more optimistic, It has really changed. People are more enthusiastic and you can feel that something has changed already. It is really very different. We played at the 18 th St Lounge in Washington yesterday - a legendary club where Thievery Corporation and others have played - and it was really great!

So, when did you start playing/making music first?
I have always been playing piano from when I was a young kid. I have always been into compositions, DJs and all types of music, but with a normal job and everything ... but had always been playing with amateur musicians. 5 years ago, we released the first 12” - Money In the Bag and then Keep on Searching.. went on the 12” charts in Europe and UK… things started rolling after this. Kraak and Smaak has been the perfect thing for me .. the reason we became professional. …but we have always been busy with music – playing, DJ'ing, working in studios. But this is the first thing to go … production to go to the States and it has been selling well.

Exciting times for you as a band?
We have already played in LA and Austin, New York. But this is the first time we are doing a big tour – I mean for us big - 4 weeks, playing all across America. Yes, definitely exciting times for us. We are also going to be on the Jimmy Kimmel show.

When did you transition from a DJ act to a live band?
We changed that because when we compiled albums for the 12” – the first album Boogie Angst was really a compilation of the first 12”. And I think we just noticed that when we DJ’d, I mean the whole world DJs. So I don’t know if we could be different as DJs.. you know what I mean .. there are a whole lot of them (DJs). So we went like OK maybe we try play with musicians, a few weeks played a couple of bars, released some stuff on CDs, and then people were so happy and cared about that and we played some more bars, played more often. And then before we knew, we are a band and became successful. We started 3 years ago and are still working… to full effect!

On to your latest full length CD release – Plastic People. How was making this album different from past remixing works – Boogie Angst, Kraak & Smaak Remix Edition?
It was more difficult than the first album because the 1 st album was just like, you know, 12”… and we made the compilation. But now it was OK like we have to make an album. When you make the 1 st album you have no expectations – no band, no audience. But when you are making the 2 nd album there are all these expectations. The pressure. So you feel a little bit pressure. Pressure not like the biggest band in the world but you feel a little bit, you know, pressure. So it was harder but I think we managed to play just what we liked.

The album sounds really different from the first one (Boogie Angst) (which) is more thumpier, jazzier. The second one is more electronic, a little deeper sometimes, a little more variety of styles I think. I am really proud of it that we succeeded in doing something more than just … I mean, people expect a certain sound of you and we were like if they really like us then they should like this sound. So I think we went on our direction, (in an) other direction that people expected us to go and I am proud of that and that we succeeded.

And the audiences are liking the sound as well?
Yeah

How did you end up working on a Bollywood remix – Yeh jawaani hai… Where is the button on the Bombay Connection Reworked LP?
The guy who made the CD – Edo Bauman, a Dutch guy. We knew the guy and he just asked … we are a bunch of entrepreneurs, … you know it was great fun. The original was also so nice.. the music I mean is great, so different from what we know. The productions itself, the strings, the violins, the sound and the vocals were so cool, it was fun to work with.

So we can expect to see more music along these lines?
Oh yeah. We could try to do something with all different influences. I would like to do something with a real big Orchestra, a big Bollywood orchestra, that would be so cool. That’s very difficult.

Do you see a difference in your fan base today (with your live band) as compared to when you were DJ’ing/mixing?
DJ stuff was more night club stuff… later, the dance crowd. What you see now is every type of people you can imagine, there are old there are young, people of all ages and social strata, you know everything. I think that’s really cool to notice that all sorts of people come to the shows.

What is different about playing here in the US versus in Europe?
In Europe people are very, very critical but people over here in the US are, well also critical of course, but they are more enthusiastic, they are more into it. They really go for it (the music). In Europe, people also go for it but they are a little bit more like we’ll see them play and then maybe we’ll like. Here, from the first song on they are into it. They are very, very energetic. Very energetic turnout of the crowds (at the US dates).

You recently opened for Michael Franti and Spearhead on their European tour? What was the experience like? Any plans on touring with them again?
It was good, it was cool. We did some shows in England, in Germany, and I think in Holland. It was cool… cool crowds, a little bit of the same crowds as we always have for the large shows (in Europe), also a bit bigger crowd. Cool people. Though no plans to support a band in the near future. Do you know Faithless? We did Faithless. We supported Faithless two years ago.

And what is the story behind the name Kraak and Smaak? I am guessing you are not indulging in the substances…
(laughs) It’s a Dutch proverb that means something like Crunchy and Tasty… it has nothing to do with what you were thinking. It is a double meaning word that is funny… in Dutch it is crunchy and tasty…

Like a Stroopwaffle (a Dutch sweet treat – round, thin crispy waffle-honey sandwich) ? Yeah, something like that. Well, thank you for your time and all the best with the rest of the tour? Thank you. Are you going to be at the show? Yes, of course. I will catch you at the Majestic in Madison? Well, see you at the show at the Majestic in Madison. We can talk normally there. Cheers, bye, bye!

- yummmy Stroopwaffles

You can listen to tracks from Plastic People and others at the band's website.
Also, here's a link to a fun video of Kraak and Smaak's Money In The Bag (YouTube link).
Catch Kraak and Smaak live at the Jimmy Kimmel indoor mini concert on November 18 in Los Angeles, show starts 6:30 pm. Get your free tickets here.

Get your fix of Kraak and Smaak at Jalepeno Records.

Well, I am planning on getting my fix of funky music and dancing this Thursday when Kraak and Smaak hit Madtown Madison. Hope to see you there. Enjoy!

Kraak and Smaak are playing at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday, November 13th. Buy tickets [here].