New Studio, New Album, Same Old Crystal Method

© Maura Lanahan

Early on a Wednesday afternoon, electronic wizard Ken Jordan unleashes his muse inside The Crystal Method’s private recording studio in North Hollywood. He’s working alongside his partner Scott Kirkland (the other half of The Crystal Method) to compose new material for their upcoming album. The hours these men have spent mixing, producing and experimenting in the engineer room are staggering, but their efforts have paid off sweetly in the last fifteen years. Grammy nominated and certified platinum, The Crystal Method has distinguished themselves as one of the best live dance acts on Earth and they have the trophy case to back it up.

Ever so humbly, Ken takes a quick break at the studio for a telephone interview and gives no indication that The Crystal Method will be slowing down any time soon.

How long has The Crystal Method been around?

The Crystal Method’s been around since ‘93 and we put out our first single in 1994.

So, with more than 15 years experience under your belts, what’s continuing to drive The Crystal Method forward?

You know, it’s just the love of music. We love working in the studio. It’s always been a dream and a passion and we’re just happy to still be able to do it successfully.

What process do you use when composing your songs?

We don’t really have a formula. We have a really nice studio with a ton of old analog gear and all the latest digital gear. We just start working on sounds, rhythms, chord progressions or melodies. Sometimes it might be a new piece of gear or something we haven’t visited in a long time. Something will get us inspired and get a track going then we build on it from there.

Jen told me you’re at the studio now. Is that correct?

Yes.

Where’s your studio?

North Hollywood.

And it’s your own private studio?

Yeah, it’s just ours.

Nice. What’s it called?

Crystalwerks.

Right on. So how has this songwriting process evolved over the course of your fifteen year history, if at all?

I would say it has. If you listen to our latest album, Divided by Night, it’s definitely more song oriented. The songwriting has developed and improved over the years. We have a lot of vocals on the latest album. So, yeah, it has changed, but we try to still keep that signature Crystal Method sound.

What would you consider to be the signature Crystal Method sound?

It’s hard and beautiful.

That’s a great way to describe it.

Our rhythms are sort of hip hop or rock based and don’t typically sound like house music or techno. It’s definitely electronic music, but we try to keep a rock, soulful, funky feel to it.

Are you currently working on any new projects, perhaps a new album or collaboration?

Yeah. We just scored a new video game called Blur that’s out now and that’s our latest project. We also have our final single from Divided by Night coming out. It’s called “Sine Language,” featuring LMFAO, and we have a bunch of videos and remixes coming out. But we’re back in the studio now working on ideas for upcoming releases—new albums, new singles.

What can fans expect to hear on your next album?

They should expect to hear the greatest recordings ever made (laughs). We usually don’t go in with much of a plan. We just start working on things and let the album take shape.

Is there any particular driving force behind the new album?

There’s no theme yet. We’re still in the early stages.

So it’s something that just develops over time as you work on it?

Yes, exactly.

I saw you guys perform live for the first time at this year's Bonnaroo and the crowd’s energy was phenomenal. How was Bonnaroo for you?

We had such a great time. It was our first time at Bonnaroo and we didn’t know what to expect. We were on a small stage way out on the outskirts of the event, but as soon as we went on it looked like a million people in front of us. We would love to do that again. It was a great experience.

What is like every time you and Scott are onstage with hundreds of people dancing hard to the music you’ve created?

It’s a great feeling, something you can’t replace with anything else. That part just never gets old.