Karl Ekdahl

Karl Ekdahl is a Swedish experimental artist and designer who makes synthesizers and electronic musical instruments under his brand Knas, based in Baltimore, Maryland. Born and raised in Uppsala, Sweden, Karl didn't have a formal technical education and became knowledgeable on the topic from a Dutch mailing list, SynthDIY, which he has followed since 1996. Around 2005, Karl Ekdahl moved to the United States, settling in the Hampden neighborhood in northern Baltimore. He began working at The True Vine record shop, repairing instruments and experimenting with circuit bending. At Jason Willett's iconic store, Karl met and befriended many notable local artists. Eventually, Martin Schmidt of Matmos approached Ekdahl and shared some ideas about making a synthesizer to his custom specifications. In early 2009, it came out as Ekdahl Moisturizer, and the "Knas" was born. Besides M.C. Schmidt and Willett, there are other significant Knas contributors that Karl mentions on the website: Zoe Burke from Reverse Baptism (who has been making Moisturizers since 2013), Max Eilbacher of Needle Gun and Horse Lords, Karl's father Lars Ekdahl, Joshua Atkins and Miguel Sabogal (Polygons).