Manta Ray Music

“Jim Kroft is a fiercely independent individual and his artistic control shines through”
In October 2011 Jim Kroft will be releasing his upcoming sophomore album ‘The Hermit And The Hedonist’. In England Kroft has recently been featured on the legendary “Frank Skinner Show” on Absolute Radio. On BBC London Gary Crowley described new single “Memoirs from the Afterlife” as “terrific stuff, a classic pop song – bring it on baby, bring it on!”

In Germany ‘Memoirs from the Afterlife’ was play listed across Germany, including Berlin´s Motor FM, Radio Eins and Fritz FM. With a burgeoning reputation in Europe, Kroft´s entered the top 100 in the German National Airplay chart and stayed there for 2 months, leading to support with Canadian star Peaches and Airborne Toxic Event (Island)

After some years as a musician in London, Kroft moved to Berlin in 2007. With no where to stay on arrival he was given shelter in an abandoned building by the Tacheles Arts Community, a cabal of artists and squatters on the East Side.

There he played a residency for 3 years in the Tacheles and released an album with his previous band Myriad Creatures, produced by The Strokes´s Gordon Raphael.

Leaving the band in May 2010, Kroft quickly recorded his debut solo album “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” which was released on London´s “Sidewalk 7”. The album was critically acclaimed on the blogosphere where Kroft was described “as a genuine talent” by There Goes The Fear, and Tasty fanzine wondered if “this is infact the great lost Noel Gallagher solo album?”

Inspired, Kroft found himself in a creative gold rush, and has recently finished recording his new album. Produced by Laura Marling drummer Matt Ingram and mixed by Ricard Wilkinson (Adele/Kaiser Chiefs) In The Kink´s legendary London “Konk Studios”, it will bring Kroft to the audience many believe he deserves.

In both Berlin and London Kroft is now enjoying the creative partnerships which his songs and path have attracted – whether with Berlin´s infamous Sunst Brothers on the graphic concept or the continuing support of thriving East London ‘Urchin Studios’ on the albums.

Having lived through the industry´s turmoil, Jim Kroft makes for an unlikely veteran. He is finding a way to get his project made in the lost currency of collaboration, the old fashioned ethos of making something for the love it, and the support of a flowering artistic community on the ground.

“All Jim does is create great art. He is the truest artist I have encountered in a very long time”