Claude Von Stroke chats to Endclub.com
We caught up with Claude ahead of his End debut at Bugged Out!
Originally from Detroit, Claude Von Stroke discovered a passion for music at an early age, and after relocating to San Francisco spent two years writing, directing and producing 'Intellect', a six hour DVD package covering the worldwide electronic music scene. Including interviews with such luminaries as Derrick May, Derrick Carter and Steve Lawler, the DVD package was conceived as a guide to help budding DJs and producers forge a career in dance music . The result was a career for himself, as it led to a hookup with Justin Martin, and them together forming a new label, Dirtybird. With releases from Claude, Justin and Sammy D, Dirtybird has become one of the most exciting imprints on the scene, and Claude's own releases have established him as one of the hottest new talents in house music. Claude made his debut at The End for Bugged Out! on Saturday 18th November 2006, so we caught up with him to find out how he was enjoying his success...
Endclub.com: Your rise over the past year or so has been meteoric . How's 2006 been for you, and what have been the highlights?
Claude Von Stroke: Yes, it has been a complete whirlwind. I am still in shock, but I have been working hard for many, many years. I have taken a very roundabout way to this point but I feel great now that things are working out.
We read somewhere that it was drum & bass mixtapes from the UK that inspired you to start making electronic music. Do you still follow the drum & bass scene today, and do you ever drop a little d&b in your sets?
I have been making hip hop beats and rhymes since I was 14. We used to tape splice between boom-boxes and then record vocals in my bathtub. I have always been into the electronic side of music, but yes...when I moved back to Detroit from Hollywood in the 90's my friend Mike Hainer gave me a mix tape loaded with the wildest sounds I had ever heard. It was definitely that tape that set my mind running about the possibilities in dance music. It was a drum & bass tape with some very early Ed Rush & Optical, Panacea, and loads of others. I was hooked to drum & bass at first because it was the most inspiring and innovative genre. I still get down to some d&b here and there, but I haven't been following the scene lately so much.
Are there any particular artists or labels that have inspired you on your way up?
Well, part of it was that I didn't really listen to a lot of house or techno. I really think that has helped me in a way because I didn't start out with any preconceptions about what my music had to sound like. Of course I always heard all the Detroit classics just being in the city, but I was never really hit by it. One exception to this is "The Perculator" by Cajmere. This is the best dance track ever made in my opinion, especially when you consider when it was made! It still kills modern tracks easily. I have to also admit that I was heavily inspired by the artists included in my documentary film that I made in 2002. I basically made an instructional video about what it takes to be a professional house and techno DJ. I interviewed everyone from Derrick Carter to Paul Van Dyk and it was an amazing amount of information I was able to get from all sides of dance music.
What artists or labels in the current scene are you into?
I don't really have any favourite labels that I always buy. Some standout artists that I like are people like Sébastien Leger, Sebo K, Justin Martin, and Steve Bug still does it for me...I always forget people but this is a good solid bunch.
Did you have much experience of DJing before your productions begun to gain notoriety?
Well, I have had a ton of DJ experience as a radio DJ in high school, and at University I had hip-hop radio shows. I have been a house/techno mixing DJ for only about six years and three of that was drum n bass (which I find harder to mix anyhow.) I do not like DJing as much as I like production, but I still really like it and take a lot of time preparing by searching out the right music, making edits, and just finding tracks I like. I still find a few nerves popping up when I put the first record on at a massive club, but I get over it very quickly. Often I find that I usually fuck up the first mix in lots of sets, almost as if to say to myself... 'ok...you've got that shit out of the way so now lets get down to bizznizz'.
How do you feel the electronic music scene in the States compares to that of Europe?
Absolute crap. Even Canada is about 100 times better. Big ups up to Montreal and Quebec City! San Fran is probably the best dance music city and we have a great scene here, but we have maybe one quality sound system in the entire city. It's criminal. There are loads of quality DJs all over the country but nothing to really support them properly.
We read a review of your album in which the reviewer said he felt your sound was easily capable of pop chart success. Is this something you're hoping for, or at least are comfortable with?
I want people to hear the music but I find that there is a really fine line between the underground and the overground. I've been toying with a few higher profile mixes this year and it helps get my name out there, which is especially hard being from the states. At the same time, I make it a serious point to stay focused on making the really, really filthy dark room with one light bulb kind of music as well. Basically, in the end I'd rather be in a room with Carl Craig than with Deep Dish (no offence fellas...I love you too.)
What plans are there for the future of Dirtybird and its artists?
Keep putting out music at a snail's pace. Justin is doing some new music. There will be some album remix records by a bunch of people I admire. We will grow slow, and hopefully someday we'll be able to say we did something good in dance music like Planet E or Pokerflat.
This will be your first appearance for Bugged Out! and at The End. What are you expecting and what can we expect from you?
I've made a special track just for this night. After about four trips to London, I finally feel as if I've made some friends and some people will be really up for what I'm doing (hopefully.) I'm really excited about this party as I've heard nothing but good things about it from everyone. Basically, I'm ready to rock...
Published: 15/11/2006
