Feel the heat rise with KING KRAB’s electrifying tune, “The Roof. “It is a seductive blend of ’80s funk and R&B that brings nostalgia and groove to the forefront.
This French duo delivers a track rich with groovy basslines and funky guitar riffs, creating a timeless and irresistible vibe. Their harmonies and soulful vocals showcase impressive range and technique, making “The Roof” a track you’ll want on repeat.
Dive into the funk-filled magic of KING KRAB—hit play and let their infectious sound elevate your day.
Q&A with King Krab
Q: The bass in “The Roof” really stands out—it’s got such a strong presence that drives the whole song. How did you guys approach that bass line? Was it something that came to you right away, or did it take some time to find that groove?
KING KRAB: The construction of the bass line came after a raw drum machine rhythm & that four-chords loop. Adam starts to jam on these elements and once I hear something I love, he keeps it in mind and plays it the next turn. So basically, we get a bass line with slight variations every 4 bars.
Q: The guitar part in the background of “The Roof” has this smooth, melodic feel that kind of reminds me of Spandau Ballet’s “True,” but with a faster pace. Was that an intentional nod to that classic 80s sound, or did it just happen naturally as part of the track’s vibe?
KK: Yes, you’re absolutely right. That kind of guitar skank is pretty much the same concept. You play something simple in the gaps/holes. I didn’t have that Spandau Ballet tune in mind at that precise moment, but I could definitely have. Let’s say that I just played something simple that matches every existing element. At that point, you don’t want to overload the track, so the key is to keep things simple.
Q: “The Roof” definitely gives off those cool 80s vibes but with a modern twist. How did you balance the retro sound with something fresh? Were there any 80s artists or tracks that you were especially inspired by while working on this?
KK: In our case, the key to a good balance between retro vibes and modern twists is the mixing on the one hand and the drum sounds on the other hand. Since my voice and the way I sing are pretty classic, we put a modern twist on something other than the singing. The main inspiration for “The Roof” was actually a track called Overseas by Thundercat. Benny Sings’ « Big Brown Eyes » was also an inspiration. As well as the percussion groove in “Blurred Lines » by Robin Thicke. All of them are contemporary artists, though.
Q: The lyrics in “The Roof” are simple but carry a lot of feeling, especially with the playful back-and-forth about whether it’s a date or just a rendezvous. What’s the story behind that?
KK: It’s a completely fictional little story. The idea is the following: Can two beings sit down, admire a sunset and enjoy a drink without any further idea? Even if the context is ideal to be a date, can it start as a pure and simple moment without any idea of desire? It kind of deals with the concept of platonic relationship, if you will.
Q: As a duo, how do you both feed off each other’s energy during the creative process? Are there any particular moments when you knew a song was going to click, especially with “The Roof”
KK: Being a duo (especially a brother’s one) is an incredibly comfortable way to work. One can come up with an idea and literally inspire the other. During the process, it’s frequent to experience some down phases where you feel empty without any inspiration. At that moment, the other can go on, and at some point, when you didn’t expect it, any played note or rhythm can become a source of inspiration. You just have to stay open to every sign.
There’s a simple trick when you know a song has the “Modjo”: when you can let the chorus or main groove play on repeat without it being boring. That was the case for The Roof.
Q: Since “The Roof” is the first track on Tomorrow Can Wait, how do you feel it fits with the rest of the album?
KK: The features of this track led us to put it first position of the tracklist: drum Kick on every beat. 4 feeling good chords loop. A nice and simple way to start a musical journey as a listener.
Q: What’s the theme or concept of the album?
KK: The title says « Tomorrow Can Wait ». It’s an invitation to enjoy the present time or, if you want, to dive into your own personal bubble of nostalgia. Being millennials, the idea of nostalgia, for my brother and I, is the 90s. What you did when you were a kid, the movies you saw, the games you played, the toys you had. The friends & love you had when in high school. And at some point, it’s not living in the past to take the time to remember what felt good back in the day. Feeling nostalgia is ok. Don’t fall into it, though.
Q: Looking back at the journey that led to Tomorrow Can Wait, what do you feel has been the most rewarding part of creating music together?
KK: The feeling of being a team and knowing you can start a new album from scratch and 8 years later playing it together in front of an audience that finally dances to it is priceless. Thinking of it nearly made me cry before going on stage when the first big gigs started in September. Finally, It makes us forget about all the doubt, pain, anger, money you spent on this journey.
Written and Interviewed by Taylor Berry
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