Mary Susan Littlepage

Detroit native Barclay Crenshaw has called San Francisco home for about eight years, but the DJ/producer, also known as dirtybird tech-funk record-label owner Claude VonStroke, hasn’t forgotten his roots.

VonStroke, who plays on July 20 at Smart Bar in his first Chicago performance, says, "San Francisco is the greatest American city and also one of the best cities in the world. Detroit has its moments as well, but I moved because it just does not have the same opportunities as California. That being said, my new [deep-techno] label, mothership, is donating money to a school for kids in Detroit, so I’m trying to help that situation in a very small way. My parents live in Detroit, so I am there all the time."

He has been mixing since about 1995—he started making music when he was just 13—but never released a track commercially until 2005. That’s when he offered "Deep Throat," his first hit record, which was followed by the successful "Who’s Afraid of Detroit?" (which Richie Hawtin dubbed the best track of 2006). "Deep Throat" sold a whoppin’ 7,000-plus copies.

VonStroke, 36, is taking time from his DJ touring to do an interview by e-mail from a Sao Paulo hotel room, where he is getting ready to play at D-Edge.

As for what Chicago clubbers can expect to hear at Smart Bar, he says, "I call it tech-funk, but I play a lot of styles. I like to play fun tracks or just stuff that just makes you itch to get your ass moving. I play a lot of heavy bass sometimes, and it may sound dark, but I never play mean music—if that makes any sense."

Talking about the San Francisco dance-music scene, VonStroke says, "Weirdly enough, even though San Francisco is known for Naked Music and Om, it is the techno and European scene that is on fire right now. My main man [Midwest transplant] Greg Bird and his Kontrol [minimal techno and forward-thinking house promotions] crew have really changed the landscape of what people now think is ‘good music’ in San Francisco. Dirtybird can also take a little credit for that change as well, but promoters no longer fear booking people like Sebo K, Alex Smoke, Audion, Matthias Tanzmann, Modeselektor, Damian Lazarus, etc."

VonStroke and the dirtybird crew keep the good-time vibes rolling when they host outdoor parties in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. "They are free parties we do about four times every summer with the dirtybird crew," he says. "The vibe is amazing. Sunshine, BBQ, good friends, hot tracks, everyone grooving outside. It is the shit."

Before VonStroke started the dirtybird label, he lived in Los Angeles and worked on films as a P.A. (and at other positions), but eventually burned out. Then he moved to San Francisco, where he spent almost two years to create "Intellect," a five-hour DVD about electronic music. The DVD features more than thirty legendary DJs and producers, including Derrick May, Derrick Carter, Swayzak, Paul van Dyk and others. VonStroke tried to create an informative DVD that could help other DJs progress with their musical careers.

"I was working at a commercial post-production house during the ‘Intellect’ production [process] until my friend who owns a sex-toy Web site gave me a big loan to finish making the DVD. Thanks, Rob!" VonStroke recalls. "I never really turned back from there. I always wanted to own my own company, and now I do."

After VonStroke completed "Intellect," his friend Justin Martin sold a couple of records, and VonStroke says, "I realized I could do it, too, and I could use everything I learned from my film to start my own label as well."

Besides running the record label, the dirtybird crew hosts a monthly party every third Friday at Shine in San Francisco and recently started hosting a Thursday shindig at APT in New York City. VonStroke also rocks Fabric in London in late August.

Dublin is one of VonStroke’s favorite places to play. He recalls playing for a crowd of about 250 people, which was "…so bangin’. The crowd is right there with you. Also, this year in Detroit [during DEMF/Movement] was amazing. The DJ booth was set up right on line with the crowd. I love that. It’s not nearly as fun being separated by lots of space behind the booth."

He adds, "I’m psyched to come to Chicago. It’s about time!"

Claude VonStroke plays alongside Soultek, who does a live performance, and DJs Mike Brankis and Frankie Vega at Smart Bar, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-0203, on July 20, 10pm-4am. No cover before 11pm, $5 after.

(2007-07-17)

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