In this day and age of music cross-pollination, Claude VonStroke sits at the forefront of all that is good, proper, and most importantly, fun.
He’s just as at home remixing Kenny Larkin or Rihanna as he is dropping multiple underground hits. DJ-wise, his relentless touring of every major city, festival and, basement after-party around the world has only enriched this unique perspective on music.
As the owner of the record label, Dirtybird, Claude also built an impeccable A&R roster signing acts like Justin Martin, Julio Bashmore, Catz n Dogz, Breach, Eats Everything, Shadow Child and Shiba San (to name a few), well before they broke out of their hometown scenes. Today, the label continues to surprise and innovate in the underground dance scene, releasing an enigmatic combination of house, funk, dirty-bass and electronica.
We had the chance to talk with Claude after winning #1 DJ on Dj Times annual poll and ahead of a series of european gigs.
Electronic Groove: Hi Claude thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Summer just ended, how was it for you?
Claude VonStroke: Amazing, we ended join a high note for sure. Great shows all summer.
Electronic Groove: You are about to embark in a 6 dates European tour. What are the expectations for it? Any particular date you are looking forward?
Claude VonStroke: I’m excited for all of them. I’m actually almost done with it now. Everything has been great so far. All the people are coming out with good attitudes and ready to party. It’s great.
Electronic Groove: How do you prepare for this kind of tour? Any specific actions or just a series of international gigs?
Claude VonStroke: I try to bring as much new music as possible. I also want to make sure I deliver my sound and don’t try to be like anyone else on a tour like this, it’s important to be an individual.
Electronic Groove: Tell us about the recent Dirtybird Campout. How was it? What’s the philosophy behind the event?
Claude VonStroke: It’s a summer camp for adults where all the fans and all the artists compete in games and enjoy music together. It’s so much fun but it’s hard to explain unless you actually go to it. It’s not like any other festival. The artists hang out in the crowd most of the time.
Electronic Groove: What were the main highlights of Dirtybird Campout?
Claude VonStroke: Lots of people played great sets but I always like the other weird-er stuff, the best like the talent show, the late-night bingo and the booty dancing musical chairs. All the fun, off stuff that happens.
Electronic Groove: You recently won America’s number one DJ according to Pioneer DJ and DJ Times’ annual poll. How do you feel about this recognition? It’s been a long way to get there?
Claude VonStroke: I like it because it’s a fan vote. A lot of polls are just writers but this one is by the fans so I think it’s a special recognition. Plus, I think I am the first under-ground house act ever to win so that’s cool too.
Electronic Groove: You have been involved with US scene during a long time. What do you think about the electronic music evolution in the country?
Claude VonStroke: Right now, it’s so incredible we are at a peak. Hopefully we can sustain it. All my shows are great and the fans are amazing. America has come a long way from inventing house and techno music. We had some dark days where it wasn’t popular and it was exported and developed by Europe for a long time. But now we are coming back as the originators and it feels good.
Electronic Groove: Once the tour finishes, what’s in the pipeline for Claude Von Stroke?
Claude VonStroke: I will have some new tracks out the start of next year plus an album under my real name, Barclay Crenshaw in January. But that one is more like hip-hop.
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