We are very happy to announce an exclusive residency with one of the smartest and most genuinely humble DJs on the world circuit today. Claude VonStroke was raised in a Detroit suburb and entered the global electronic music consciousness in 2005 with his deep growling vocal and swinging synth anthem, Deep Throat. Since that release on his own imprint dirtybird, he has carved a niche owning and curating one of the world’s premier “tech-funk” labels. Celebrating their 5 year anniversary this year, Claude VonStroke has kindly provided an hour long mix from their raucous birthday party in San Francisco back in February. We can’t recommend a listen enough, download it here and get grooving to those sweaty bass-lines, quirky ideas, and bumpin funk. If your looking to check Claude VonStroke this year in Ibiza, he’ll be playing exclusively for We Love… and only at Space on the following dates, 18th July on La Terraza, 8th August in the Discoteca and then back on the Terraza for the 19th of September.

Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?

The Count of Monte Cristo. The ultimate revenge story. When I was younger and had more anger and anti-establishment sentiment this was really my favorite book. It also shows that you can do anything you put your mind to even if things look as hopeless as being in prison and in solitary confinement on an island. You can always overcome impossible odds through sheer will power.

Did your parents encourage you to work in music?

They encouraged me to play music. They paid for me to take piano and cello lessons my entire childhood. They were not quite as enthusiastic about music as a career although they never told me not to do it.  My parents always supported me in my decisions and always told me I could do anything I wanted with my life. I really appreciate that because I know a lot of people, friends even, who were led to believe they had to do one thing or the other to be happy and now they are miserable at their jobs.

How did you begin to work professionally in music?

I made music as bedroom producer my whole life since I was 12. But in 2002 I made a documentary about techno and house music while I was working as a video editor on commercials.  My first released track was Deep Throat in 2005.  About a year later I quit my job and took it on full time.

How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?

I know about working hard from working a ton of real jobs.  I know about how to present things professionally from working on big budget films. I think a lot of DJs and producers make it big when they are in their 20′s without a lot of work experience. Then they get into the party scene and they don’t know anything about hard work. I mean really hard work. I sound like the old guy who walked 10 miles to school in the snow but I really believe a strong work ethic is something that separates me from a lot of people who could be a lot more successful if they really applied themselves.

Where is your current studio and what is it like?

The current  studio is about to move from a terrible shaped room that sucks for mixing to an amazing new room in the basement of my new house outside San Francisco. I am moving it this week in fact! I am super excited. I had a custom desk built by KK Audio in LA and everything is going to be super fresh in the new room!

How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?

I don’t believe “Marketing” actually works but indirectly I do believe that selling yourself as a package – something that can be easily understood – really matters. For example, advertising a track is a waste of time and also pretty cheesy – but having a good biography, a good story about who you are does matter.  The whole bird thing was more of an accident than a marketing ploy but I saw right away that people liked it and could grab on to it as an idea so I rolled with it.

How would you describe your work?

Hard but really fun. I have a voracious appetite for trying new ideas and listening to new music.

Who were your teachers?

Mostly myself. I have to admit though, without seeing my friend Nigel Richards from 611 Records in Philly do it all years before me I would have never even thought of doing it or even known it was a possible career for that matter.  Also the people who were on my DVD project really cleared up alot of questions I had about the industry, particularly Derrick Carter, Theo Parish, and Derrick May.

Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?

Cut their balls off or sew their vaginas shut… ha!  No, just regular jail is fine.

You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would that be?

Your ‘momma.

If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?

The 1980s. I would go back, head straight for New York and enjoy the birth of hip-hop.

Many thanks to the Claude VonStroke for taking time to answer our 11 Questions, you can check out our other artists who have answered here. Don’t forget to download the live mix and have a look at the video below to see Claude VonStroke and fellow dirtybird artist J Phlip talking on the roof of our club in Ibiza last summer…

Claude VonStroke – DJ Profile

dirtybird records – Official Site

Claude VonStroke – Discogs

Tags: Claude VonStroke, Detroit, Dirtybird, Ibiza, Interview, San Francisco, Tech Funk

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at 11:45 am and is filed under 11 Questions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.