Claude VonStroke does not scowl and look mean while he DJs. He does not pretend to know everything and he will be nice to you and your friends. He is grateful to be doing music for a living and he knows that the reason people go to parties is to have fun. If you want to act cool and not have any fun then please do not book him.
The name "Claude VonStroke" was a random joke that caught on after a series of tracks grabbed the attention of underground dance music in 2005. His very first record, “Deep Throat,” was an unusually quirky affair that caught fire worldwide and he has been blessed with similar success stories ever since. Claude's real name is Barclay Crenshaw, a guy raised in the suburbs Detroit who wanted to be a filmmaker but always had a knack for music. After several different film careers of varying success and with some help from his friends, VonStroke started the "dirtybird" label at the very late age of 32.
Since 2005, dirtybird has carved out a niche as a premiere American label and has released over 40 EPs. VonStroke has released two artist albums as well as a Fabric mix and over 25 remixes for a wide range of commercial and underground artists from Indy rock group “The Rapture” to Detroit techno legend Kevin Saunderson.
In an effort to give something back to the community VonStroke unveiled a new label “mothership” in 2007. A large percentage of the label’s proceeds go to a music school for children in Claude’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan. This label features more euro-flavored techno and house featuring groups like Catz ‘n Dogz, Maetrik and Voodeux.
Tour wise, Claude has headlined almost every major club, festival and basement after-party in the world. The outdoor dirtybird parties in San Francisco’s scenic Golden Gate Park have also become a legendary summer destination point for both locals and international travelers.
But like we said at the start, Claude VonStroke is only coming to see you if you want to enjoy yourself and get sweaty and nasty. If you want to wear a sweater and frown in the VIP section, he is not the right DJ for you.
dirtybirdrecords.com/
soundcloud.com/claudevonstroke
twitter.com/vonstroke
1. Justin Martin - Don’t Go
2. Justin Martin - Ruff Stuff
Title: Justin Martin - Don’t Go - Single
Cat-No: DB072
Release date: May 8, 2012
“Don’t Go” is Justin’s most emotional work since “The Sad Piano”. Ten years after his stunning debut, his ear for gorgeous melodies is stronger than ever. A timeless organ intertwines with an increasingly urgent harp, eventually lifted beyond the heavens by the song’s ethereal vocals. Don’t think this $h!t don’t bang though!! “Ruff Stuff” is a rough-n-tough excursion - first swelling with euphoric shimmering chords leading into a full-on drum and bass inspired beatdown. This is the peaktime dirtybird sound at its finest. Enjoy!
1. Justin Martin - Ghettos & Gardens
2. Justin Martin - Hood Rich
Title: Justin Martin - Ghettos & Gardens - Single
Cat-No: DB071
Beatport release date: April 18, 2012
Release date: May 1, 2012
“Ghettos & Gardens” is the first single from Justin Martin’s debut artist album on dirtybird. The title describes the way this track rises up with beautiful sweeping melodies, almost to the point where you want to kiss the person next to you. But this epic euphoria can only last so long - it peaks with a bassline so tough, it’ll push you down a staircase, and then steal your bus pass.
“Hood Rich” starts with a cascade of voices tumbling over each other, clamoring for attention on the way to the club. Those bold proclamations give way to the melodious tones of a string ensemble that would be welcome in Yo-Yo Ma’s living room. And that’s just the first minute. All niceties aside, a hive of bass bees smashes against the far wall and explodes, leaving no doubt that every booty will be dropping like DAMN.
Best,
VonStroke
1. Shadow Child - String Thing
2. Shadow Child - Rustic Chip
Title: Shadow Child - EP
Cat-No: DB070
Beatport release date: March 28, 2012
Release date: April 10, 2012
BUY
Just having wrapped up the epic HATCHED compilation we roll right into the first original EP of the year. It seems like we’ve been blessed because Shadow Child has delivered an incredibly strong debut release. “String Thing” was given to me with support by Eats Everything and I’ve already seen it completely rip up several rooms on tour last month. I thought that was going to be the A-side killer and then “Rustic Chip” came in which I think could possibly be even better. The production style is kind of like old school Solid Groove meets drum n bass and I’m really digging this record. Super-fat, well-mixed sounds put in all the right places, this stuff really works.
Best,
VonStroke
1. Claude VonStroke & Eats Everything - Ignorance Is Bliss
2. Sacha Robotti - The Major
3. Kill Frenzy - Booty Clap
4. Tom Flynn - Jerry’s Liquor Store
5. Christian Martin - Waiting
6. Kingdom - SFX
7. DJ Cra$y - That Amen Track (BrEaCh’s return to 93 Remix)
8. Samuel Dan - Bitch
9. Catz ‘n Dogz - Bring Me That Water
10. A1 Bassline - Why Do You
11. Worthy - Shy Look
12. Nick Monaco - Long Kiss Goodnight (Soul Clap Edit)
Title: dirtybird HATCHED Vol. 1
Cat-No: DB067
Release date: March 13, 2012
BUY
Over the last seven years dirtybird has released an eclectic range of bass influenced house music. This new compilation is a glimpse into the next wave. 14 different artists deliver deep house, bass music, jackin funk, and ghetto filth.
1. French Fries - Yo Vogue
2. French Fries - Yo Vogue (Claude VonStroke Remix)
3. French Fries - Yo Vogue (Leroy Peppers Remix)
Title: French Fries - Yo Vogue
Cat-No: DB069
Beatport release date: March 14, 2012
Release date: March 27, 2012
BUY
I was finishing up a long extended set in Paris when the CleckCleckBoom crew practically ran into the club to get on the decks. They were playing a new sound, some nasty bits sitting somewhere between juke and bass music and and i knew we had to get this vibe on dirtybird no matter what.
“Yo Vogue” is hot property and i’m really excited to release it. The half time drop, the chopped and screwed vocal, the stuttering bass kicks, the creepy moog on top - it’s simple and complex at the same time and it wrecks shop whenever it gets played. I did a remix on the B side giving it some db flavor and dirtybird newcomer Leroy Peppers lays out his own bay area skeeze with hot sauce on top. Watch yer bass bins!
Best,
VonStroke
1. Claude VonStroke & Jaw - Le Fantôme
Title: Le Fantôme
Cat-No: DB068
Beatport release date: February 29, 2012
Release date: March 13, 2012
Claude VonStroke teams up with Jaw, lead singer of the notorious dOP crew for a trippy slab of modern funk. This marks the very first time VonStroke has worked with a singer and we think the results are great. Jaw’s smooth falsetto harks back to singers like Curtis Mayfield and the backing track is filled with trademark dirtybird flavor.
The record is a slow building jam that builds into an almost church-like resolution filled with spiraling space echoes and organs that is sure to set off all the right rooms.
enjoy…
1. Catz n Dogz - Bring Me That Water
2. Samuel Dan - Bitch
3. Tom Flynn - Jerry’s Liquor Store
4. Nick Monaco - Long Kiss Goodnight (Soul Clap Edit)
Title: dirtybird HATCHED (part 3)
Cat-No: DB066
Beatport release date: February 8, 2012
Release date: February 29, 2012
“Hatched” Part 3 is the final installment of this compilation series and the final 4 tracks are some of the best. Catz ‘n Dogz shake it to the ground with a booty-house anthem called “Bring me that Water.” These guys have been killing it on all fronts and this is one of their best efforts. After that, Samuel Dan, who is part owner of the Spanish Sicopat label, delivers a slow cooked sexual scorcher called “Bitch.” The track has a wide range of influences from 70’s funk to the Grand Pubahs and is a sultry dancefloor bomb. Next comes a real leap for producer Tom Flynn with “Jerry’s Liquor Store.” He abandons the confines of tech house and goes huge with an effort referencing everything from Pearson Sound to old school Chicago raves. This is a battle tested party starter for sure. Lastly, we say farewell with the “Long Kiss Goodnight” from the up and coming Bay Area producer Nick Monaco. Nick has been really working hard to get on dirtybird and this track is reminiscent of the unusual (and funny) releases like “the Southern Draw” we used to do back in the day when we first started the label. Eli and Charlie of the amazing Boston based Soul Clap duo lend a helping hand editing the tune for the dance floor.
Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this project!
best,
VonStroke
1. Claude VonStroke & Eats Everything - Ignorance Is Bliss
2. Sacha Robotti - The Major
3. Kingdom - SFX
4. A1 Bassline - Why Do You
Title: dirtybird HATCHED (part 1)
Cat-No: DB064
Beatport release date: January 11, 2012
Release date: January 25, 2012
Over the last seven years dirtybird has released an eclectic range of bass influenced house music. This new compilation is a glimpse into the next wave. 14 different artists deliver deep house, bass music, jackin funk, and ghetto filth. The series will be released in 3 parts and as a full length cd.
Part 1 opens with the red hot Eats Everything, fresh off his live from Bristol essential mix. This is a first-time collaboration working with label chief, Claude VonStroke on a deep techy number with plenty of surprises. Second in line is a jackin funk gem by Sacha Robotti, who you might recognize as curator of the famed Berlin Kreuzberg Institut podcast since 2008 or by his label, Klasse Recordings. After that an unexpected deep house-bass influenced single comes from LA’s Kingdom, the bass/R&B maverick and label boss of Nightslug’s new U.S. sister label called “Fade to Mind.” Last but not least comes an elegant combo of Detroit style techno and UK bass from our good friend A1 Bassline, owner of Tighten Up records and overall club destroyer.
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