Claude VonStroke, musician, DJ and head of one of the most popular independent American dance labels is set to step out of the underground and lend his skills as a music producer.
Raised in Detroit and now based in San Francisco, Barclay Crenshaw created the quirky alias "Claude VonStroke" in 2005 and went on to become one of the most well respected label owners and DJs in US dance music. His first release, 'Deep Throat' was a hit putting his imprint on the decks of DJs around the globe. A manifesto of sorts, it was the rare dance floor bomb that sounded as much fun to make as it was to dance to. But the real breakthrough came with double-header The Whistler/Whos Afraid of Detroit?. The 12 cemented Claude's reputation as a producer to be reckoned with, crossing borders, genres and musical ears. The Whistler was embraced by the bass crowd, and at the same time sitting just as easily on the more 4/4 floors. Similarly, Whos Afraid of Detroit? (a social comment about the unfounded fears of suburbanites visiting downtown Detroit) is now known as one of the classic dance tracks of the decade.
In 2009, he recorded a mix for Fabrics venerated compilation series and released second album Bird Brain, which encompassed many diverse aspects of dance music and beyond. It included a collaboration with the legendary P-Funk bassist Bootsy Collins as well as the smashing "Beat That Bird" and euphoric Vocal Chords both which went to number #1 & #2 on Beatport respectively.
His core label, dirtybird, continues to surprise and innovate in the underground dance scene. The label features an enigmatic combination of house, funk, dirty-bass and electronica. Since the creation of dirtybird, Claude has continued to be the dedicated A&R man, signing over 100 EPs and demonstrating his incredible ear for what works on the dance-floor. In 2007, he set up a second label, mothership with a slightly different focus (more euro-flavored techno and house). Apart from moving into different musical corners, a substantial percentage of the labels revenue is contributed to a childrens music school in Detroit.
Appealing to an even wider music community Barclay has another alias, The Grizzl, best known for producing the stunning remix of Franz Ferdinands No You Girls as well as having a slew of juke, dubstep and hip-hop oriented releases on his fledgling Krush Groov label which was started this year.
Herein lies Barclay's enduring appeal as he straddles so many different genres with such ease. In this day and age of music cross-pollination, he sits at the forefront of all that is good, proper and most importantly moving people's feet and ass. Hes just as at home remixing Kenny Larkin for Planet E as he is remixing DFA/indie dance stalwarts The Rapture. His relentless touring of every major city, festival and basement after-party around the world has only enriched this unique perspective on popular music.
