KRÆK on Drum & Bass: “It’s a Global Thread That Pulls People Together”

22 hours ago 2

**KRÆK swung by to drop off a mix for the Drum & Bass Devotions series and discuss his DnB label Flexout Audio, his musical style, and where he sees the genre headed in the future.**

KRÆK is a German drum and bass producer whose music is marked by sharp technical precision. With a background in computer science and business, that foundation shapes both his meticulous approach to production and, as co-owner of London-based Flexout Audio — home to artists like QZB, TeeBee, Umbra, and Phentix — his focus on championing forward-thinking artists pushing DnB into new territory.

Having been a drum and bass fan and a DJ for over 20 years, KRÆK describes DnB as his ultimate escape and a space where he can “disconnect from the grind of daily business life.” He said his favorite part of this community is that no one judges you for who you are or what your day job is, because “music is the great equalizer, a global thread that pulls people from every corner of the world together just to lose themselves in the sound.”

KRÆK is involved in the drum and bass scene both as a producer and a scene curator, but when it comes to his own music, there’s no fixed blueprint. Despite the technical complexity of his sound, his process is guided less by structure than by instinct, with a strong focus on atmosphere and emotion.

I try to avoid formulas. Every track starts with a different spark. Sometimes a melody sets the mood, other times, I get lost in a synth, twisting knobs until a bass sound feels right. While I love the technical side, the “musicality” is non-negotiable for me. I’m naturally drawn to melancholic atmospheres and deep, cinematic moods. I always strive to weave those emotional threads into the DNA of my productions so they feel like more than just “tools” for the club.

KRÆK

KRÆK started out as a DJ and promoter in his local scene, but in 2023, he became a co-owner of Flexout Audio. He said Flexout has been a cornerstone of the scene for 15 years, but he was brought on to build on that legacy by strengthening the label’s operations and expanding its reach without losing its core identity. “We have a very specific, underground-leaning identity, and we’re fiercely protective of that,” he said.

While he was initially focused on networking and developing friendships when his career was first starting, stepping up as a label owner forced him to think on a much larger scale. He isn’t just thinking in terms of singular events or releases; he has his eyes on international collaborations, global events, and higher-level partnerships. “We’re thinking bigger,” KRÆK said.

A month ago, Flexout Audio acquired Sofa Sound in Bristol. He said that, as one of the heads for both labels, his inbox is constantly full of incredible demos, and when asked if there are any other artists he’s been paying close attention to lately, he said it was impossible to pick just one without feeling like he was leaving someone out. “My ears are tuned to our roster across both labels right now,” he said. “I truly believe we are working with the most talented, forward-thinking producers in the game at the moment.”

Flexout Audio is based out of London, where drum and bass is ingrained in the nation’s cultural fabric. But in Germany, where he’s from, he said the genre’s popularity comes and goes in waves, and that right now mainstream artists and massive raves are what’s dominating. While that high-energy, commercial style isn’t his personal taste, he said he respects its ability to bring new blood to the scene, and his wish for Germany’s drum and bass scene is for it to grow into something more connected and community-driven.

My wish for the local community is more genuine engagement. Promoters here pour their hearts into these nights, and I’d love to see the crowd evolve into a true community. One where people become friends outside the club, rather than just being faces on a dancefloor.

KRÆK

KRÆK is optimistic about DnB’s future, saying it will continue to grow globally while staying true to its underground roots. He said the beauty of DnB is that it is “inherently metamorphic” and that “it’s constantly being disrupted by new producers with ‘insane’ ideas that break the existing rules.” As a label-owner, he said he’s in a position to help facilitate the scene’s next wave of innovation, whatever it may look like.

The mix KRÆK shared for the Drum & Bass Devotions series is a live, raw recording from a Momentive Recordings pop-up he played in Los Angeles. He described his mixing style as fast with a very specific momentum, and he typically averages around one song per minute. “I try to build a journey with high-intensity runs followed by brief ‘breathing spaces’ before we dive back in,” he added.