What’s in the DJs box: Claude VonStroke

What’s in the DJs box: Claude VonStroke

19 May, 2008 | 2.03AM

• Section: Music News Topics: Berlin
• Written by: Ben Raven

The Dirtybird head honcho and recent arrival to Berlin reveals the records burning up his dancefloor and details of his new album.

Ever since unleashing his excellent debut album, ‘Beware of the Bird’, Claude VonStroke has maintained a tight grip on clubland.

‘Who’s Afraid Of Detroit?’ was one of 2006’s most iconic tracks, hammered by scene leaders like Richie Hawtin, while other tracks like the ape sampling ‘Chimps’ helped add a well-needed sense of humour to the scene.

And it’s not just in the studio that he’s been busy.

As boss of Dirtybird and his more underground label Mothership, he’s been pivotal in unleashing hot new acts like Italoboyz who have added new spice to the current sound of house music.

“I’ve recently become a dad of kid number two as well,” he tells Beatportal.

“We just moved the whole family out to Berlin for the summer because I had so many booking opportunities and it didn’t make sense to fly from San Francisco every single weekend for the whole summer with two kids at home.”

Next up from Claude is a “big mix CD”, and after that a second album which will include a collaboration with legendary funk maverick, Bootsy Collins.

“The next one will have some club stuff, but I think it will also venture into other territories like drum & bass, Detroit booty, ambient, hip-hop and funk.”

With a run of tunes signed to both his labels until well into 2009, expect his grip on house music to continue for some time.

For now, though, it’s time to take a sneak peak inside his record bag.

Favourite set opener

Bulent Gurler ‘Water’.

It has a slow-cooked funk beat and it sets the tone for my style with all the cool water droplets that tweak about in it.

It’s also easy to mix the water drop sounds into almost anything because they have no real pitch.

Secret weapon that only you have a copy of

I can only get away with it sometimes, but I made a bootleg of the track from the original ‘Superman’ film.

It’s not actually the ‘Superman’ theme, but it is recognizable as ‘Superman’ and it is very heavy on the bass.

Trippiest record

I’ve had this Motoguzzi 001 record in my bag for ages.

It’s the best afterhours record.

Listen closely and there is a the voice of a little girl halfway through the record saying defiantly, “I could have taken ecstasy but I didn’t!”

Killer vocal track

Vocals… hmmm, I’m not a huge vocal guy.

I did quite like ‘Mumbling Yeah’ from last year because it was a vocal track that very cleverly never really had a vocal.

I also loved Monty Luke’s vocal on ‘Paranoid’ on my label Mothership.

Bassline weapons

The Martin Brothers ‘Stoopit’ and now ‘Dum’.

Both are Bass Wars masterpieces.

The record that will never leave your box

Green Velvet ‘The Percolator’ and Lil Louis ‘French Kiss’.

Both are waaaay ahead of their time and amazing.

I wouldn’t be here without my ‘Percolator’.

The track you always get asked to play that you don’t mind playing

‘Who’s Afraid of Detroit?’

I can still listen to it.

There’s no harsh abrasive sound in it, so it really never bothers me to play it.

It’s also one of the very few tracks that I’ve made where I dont ever think, “Hmmm, well, I could’ve done something better there or made that noise sound better...”

Plus, now I have these really really scary follow-up tracks by Voodeux that are so amazing but can be too scary for non-techno dance-floors unless you hide them in the sheep’s clothing of a nice smooth ‘Who’s Afraid’ type track — and then they kill!

Oldie that everyone else has probably forgotten

Todd Bodine ‘Particles’.

Just simple groovy, funky techno.

Get out of jail card

This is a funny one because people talk about “get out of jail” tracks, but I prefer to crash and burn all the way, even if the ship is sinking.

I love to play music for the crowd and tailor the night for them, but I have a particular sound.

If you want to hear electro house or trance or big room cheese, then you should probably vacate the dancefloor.

“One more tune” end of night finisher

I like to finish a good set with a re-speeded re-edit of The Detroit Experiment ‘Think Twice’.

I put it near the end of my essential mix last year.

It’s so perfect: jazzy and funky with a great simple chord progression.

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