DJ to Watch: Barclay Crenshaw

Barclay Crenshaw is a DJ to Watch, but he isn’t exactly new to the scene. You may know him by his better-known alias Claude VonStroke, leader of Dirtybirds everywhere. In a recent interview, Crenshaw said, “I actually forgot to do the thing I was supposed to do in the beginning. I said I was gonna do hip-hop, but then I got really good at house.” We’re not mad about that! But Barclay Crenshaw deserves some major recognition outside of his VonStroke moniker, too.

Crenshaw started the Dirtybird label in 2005 and it’s undeniably taken up most of his time. He’s built a music empire with a killer lineup or artists, a successful series of BBQ events, and even his own camping festival, Dirybird Campout. You never forget your first love though, and for Crenshaw that was hip-hop. He’s been making more of an effort to blend his two worlds as of late and delivered his debut Barclay Crenshaw performance at Dirtybird Campout in 2015. Since then we’ve been seeing his name pop up left and right.

He released his self-titled debut album, Barclay Crenshaw earlier this year. It features a classic ’90s hip-hop sound with otherworldly themes and raw funk. It’s a little different than what you might hear in a VonStroke set, but the production quality and danceability remain the same.

Barclay Crenshaw explores a mixture of modern organic beats blended with sumptuous melodies that are eclectic, expressive and expansive. Guests on the album included bass master Mr. Carmack, Lady Chann, The Underachievers, and Chuck Inglish & Sir Michael Rocks.

In addition to the album, he’s been blessing our ears with a series of Transmission Mixtapes. The sound has been self-described as “retro futurism.” Mixing hip-hop with a unique cluster of dark and extra terrestrial bass, we can’t imagine calling it anything else. It’s completely unique. It comes complete with coded art and epic visuals depicting ancient alien abductions and explorations of time and space.

The mixes are mind-bending and everything we’d expect from a Claude VonStroke hip-hop alter ego. As the SoundCloud info explains, “Tricksters and otherworldly visitors battle for supremacy while the unknowing human population lives in oblivion eating McDonald’s and buying 65-inch TVs at Target. Barclay Crenshaw stays vigilant, attempting to crack the code to the other dimension. Will he someday lift the veil? You can decide for yourself via his latest Transmission, just leaked to the public by James Comey.”

Regardless of the type of music he’s playing, Crenshaw is always sporting an impressive beard, lively attitude, and infectious grin. Claude VonStroke is already a renowned member within the house realm, but this is just the beginning for Barclay Crenshaw and we can’t wait to see what he does.

Both Barclay Crenshaw AND Claude VonStroke will be performing at the first ever Goldrush Festival taking place November 18-19th. Don’t miss it; grab your tickets here.

Connect with Barclay Crenshaw: Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud