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Biography
Claude VonStroke moved to Detroit, Michigan at a young age. It was there that he harnessed his talents and honed his craft. He initially had a passion for hip-hop music, which would later develop into an infatuation for electronic music. He decided to move to Los Angeles, and earned his rent and bills money working as a production assistant and location scout. Fortunately this job put VonStroke in a position to work on a documentary entitled “Intellect: Techno House Progressive”. In the making of this project he landed the opportunity to interview over fifty DJs.
He would later meet with “The Martin Brothers”, and established a record label called “Dirtybird”. He was fortunate to have his wife Aundy fund the project, who gave him the ultimatum that he had to turn it into a success in one year otherwise she would cut him off financially. Fortunately, Fabric invited VonStroke to create a mix, and of course he took the opportunity in a heartbeat. With this feature on his CV, VonStroke would go on to release a slew of full-length studio albums including his debut in 2006 entitled “Beware of the Bird”, and “Bird Brain” in 2009. He released his third studio album, “Urban Animal” in 2013. He has also embarked on many international tours with headline performances at the popular T in The Park and Sub Club.
Live reviews
Claude VonStroke, aka Barclay Macbride Crenshaw, is a proper dance music legend. Raised in Detroit, his career really took off after he relocated to San Francisco; it is here that he launched his wicked Dirtybird label in the mid noughties (he also runs label Mothership and Krush Groov).
Now I know that VonStroke has made waves in a number of subgenres of electronic music, but my early experiences of him were within minimal techno – he was one of the first artists to introduce me to the intricate subtleties and hidden melodies of minimal techno and deep house. The first time I saw him DJ was at some strange warehouse in London, just as I had moved to the capital and long before I understood that ‘warehouse’ spaces were commonly utilised for central London raves. He was master of his decks, completely showing up everyone else who played before and after (I can’t even remember their names!).
His techno banger ‘Who’s Afraid Of Detroit?’ was one of the biggest club tunes of 2006 and, though it has been remixed to near-death, it remains one of my favourite dance songs. Likewise, his 2009 Fabric mix was one of the best in ages. He really is a master of producing house and techno that comfortably straddles both the underground and the mainstream.
cliverozario
It is no surprise that San Francisco native, Claude VonStroke is as successful as he is. This tech-house/electro house producer has been on the scene for over ten years now, starting his own avant-house label, “Dirtybird”, which features a humble list of worthy producers. He has always received great critical acclaim for his experimental work over the years. He launches into many of his best songs such as “Urban Animal”, which receives a rather loud reaction from the audience making them dance a little harder than they were before.
His helm of equipment is huge, with four different CD decks and a mixing console in the middle. Making it look effortless, he spins some of his biggest records such as “The Whistler” and “CaliFuture”. Invited back on stage for an encore, he plays “Who’s Afraid of Detroit?” which has some interesting melodies almost giving off a deep house vibe with this extended live remix of the song, solidifying his place as a commercial but credible DJ.
Lannistaar
Amazing, loved every minute. Please put that set on SoundCloud just like the one from Movement! I danced my booty off and loved the hip-hop infused style for the NYC crowd. 18+ was a little rough because little girls were falling all over, but you were still sick and nasty as hell. Happy New Year!
tara-kelley
By the time Claude came on the venue had cleared out a bunch (all the drunk people left NYE by 1:30am). Considering the shitty speakers and promotion by the crew at Pier 94, I thought that Claude did an excellent job.
drewroy
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