In 2012, as house music made its glorious comeback in dance music across the globe, a German producer released house tunes that subverted expectations. From sharing a sample with the Wu-Tang Clan to pairing with vocalist Jaw for a slow-burning club track, this producer played around with the rules of dance music and proved the genre still has limitless potential. Plus, his simple get-up of a golden bird mask (resembling the masks plague doctors wore many years ago), a top hat and white cloves have him a distinct look, one that became as recognizable as his music.
Four years later, Claptone now tours across the world, celebrates the release of a debut album by the name of Charmer and has collaborated with the likes of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Peter, Bjorn and John and more. This weekend, Claptone makes his way to the Do Lab‘s second annual Woogie Weekend festival at Oak Wood Park in Silverado, California. Before his set, Your EDM interviewed the enigmatic producer himself to learn about the difference producing singles and an entire album, the rough side of touring and more. Read below:
After the release of your debut album Charmer last year, you became an artist that released both successful singles and a full release. How did the album production process differ from the process of gradually working on and releasing singles?
For your future releases, do you see yourself adopting the same model of releasing a few singles and building up to another album release or trying out a different release method?
Charmer took a lot of the pop aspects of “No Eyes” and heightened them. Given your love of pop music, do you foresee your music continuing to go in a pop direction or will you try to retain your more club-centric roots?
You tour primarily as a solo DJ, but your Immortal Live Show involves two performers. Also, some nights of your DJ tour find you in two places at once, often times hundreds or thousands of miles apart. Is Claptone two people in the studio or two people just for live shows?
Your DJ gigs find you mixing your own tracks and other songs while the Immortal Live Show features your own music as the focus. How does performing Immortal Live differ from your DJ sets?
THUMP recently published an editorial that discussed the negative effects of constantly touring, which causes many artists to sink into depression and abuse alcohol, drugs, etc. Since you’re one of the most prolific touring DJs out there, can you offer your thoughts on these findings? How does being on the road impact you? If there are negative effects, how do you cope?
You are known by many fans for your enigmatic appearance and secretive nature. Do you plan to make this a permanent fixture of the Claptone persona, or do ever see yourself becoming more public?
What plans do you have for the rest of 2016?
This season’s highlight and the night I look forward to the most is the 31st of July, my very own The Masquerade party at Amnesia. If you’re around on that date, put on your most magnificent mask and be part of this freak-circus. Find your happy place where the craziest ideas and the grandest illusions lay waiting; a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination. A collection of otherworldly characters will turn the town upside down in an excessive, hedonistic frenzy. I invited Catz’n Dogz, Re.You, DJ T. and Mat.Joe to join me. Welcome to The Masquerade in Ibiza. The end of Ibiza/summer season won’t mean end of happiness, though; I will unveil soon what follows next.
Take a look at Claptone’s tour dates to see where to catch him this summer and buy your Woogie Weekend passes to see him play tonight at the festival.
