Five Babies, Four Dogs And A Restaurant

Crookers are at the forefront of new wave electro and are truly influential in the international electro house scene. The Italian duo - DJs Phra and Bot - are gracing Australian shores to headline Winter Sound Sytem in June.

Crookers released their anticipated debut album, 'Tons Of Friends', in March this year, and are happy with how it has been received. Though a while in the making, it was worth the wait with collaborations from Kid Cudi, Soulwax, will.i.am, Miike Snow and Kelis just to name a few.

“For me it's great (that) people think the same as me about the album, it's safe music. So I'm happy. It is cool for me because people show me the love, just like the song. The album took two years to make, we did it in between remixes and gigs so it only took three weeks but it happened over two years time,” says Andrea Fratangelo aka Phra.

Though their debut has only just been released, those already hungry for more Crookers can relax - the duo have plans to work on a second album in the near future.

“Yes for sure! We want to work on another album soon.”

Of their upcoming Australian tour and performance in Brisbane, Phra is excited about one thing in particular.

“So is Brisbane where the Big Pineapple is at? I have a friend who is a big pineapple and he was so big he could talk to me. Say hi to my pineapple friend for me. Haha there is a video of me on YouTube dancing with a pineapple.”

When I asked what the Crookers set held for Winter Sound System punters, Phra mentions they have a surprise up their sleeves.

“It was our little secret but I'm going to show up in a bikini. A proper bikini. I will for sure.”

I tell Phra I'm going to hold him to that. And the fact that it will be winter didn't seem to bother him either.

“We're heading to Australian in June. We've only been in the summer and it was so hot. I'm interested to know what your winter is like.”

Although Phra has been DJing since the age of 11, and Bot not long after that, the boys keep it simple when it comes to choosing what to play and how to get the crowd moving.

“We just play good music. People send us tracks and we listen and if we go 'this is awesome', we play it.”

Influenced by everyone from Metallica to Flying Lotus, I'm interested to check out what the electro masterminds listen to personally.

“I really love to listen to big songs, orchestral songs.”

With Phra residing in Switzerland and Bot in London, the duo relies heavily on technology to create their music. They manage to cyber-collaborate and pump out the goods regardless of their geographical limitations.

“We're really lucky because of technology, because I live in Switzerland and Bot lives in London we have to do all our work over the internet. So I might send him something and he'll mix it a bit and send it back, and then he'll start something and then we just send it back and forth. We use the same software so it is really easy.”

The situation appears to work for Crookers and they seem to have a really good musical relationship.

“We've been together for five to six years now, I don't know exactly. But it seems like it's been 35 years. It's like a marriage, but in a good way.”

Phra and Bot have attracted attention from the likes of Kanye West, will.i.am, The Chemical Brothers, U2 and Beyonce, who have become fans and collaborators. I ask what they take away from working with such big industry names.

“I think when you collaborate with someone some of our sound rubs off on them, and their sound on you. It works two ways.”

In terms of future plans for Crookers, Phra certainly has his dreams all worked out.

“I want to run a restaurant, have five babies with my girl and have four dogs. And then make some more music.”

CROOKERS ARE HEADLINING WINTER SOUND SYSTEM AT DOOMBEN RACECOURSE ON SUNDAY JUNE 13. ‘TONS OF FRIENDS’ IS OUT NOW .