On the afternoon of November 15, 2023, Dirtybird’s head honcho Claude VonStroke posted a tweet that sent shockwaves rippling the electronic dance music community. “I’m taking a hiatus from Claude VonStroke and building something totally new as Barclay Crenshaw,” he noted alongside a compilation of pictures and a flyer for the final shows under his house alias.
After more than two decades of captivating fans with an electrifying array of dance-heavy anthems, ass-shaking beats, and curating legendary parties and festivals, Claude VonStroke was calling it quits for the foreseeable future. But as the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens.
A few weeks later, on December 6, the house music maestro made another huge announcement, this time under his birthname Barclay Crenshaw. “A new era of bass begins!” he exclaimed while breaking the news of a forthcoming headline tour and album, Open Channel, marking the start of his metamorphosis into bass.
Now, three months later, the album has arrived, the tour has begun, and the metamorphosis is complete. However, not only did Barclay Crenshaw seamlessly transition into his bass music era, but he has evolved into a full-fledged bass music maestro, cultivating a sound that’s revolutionary, profound, and may or may not be of this world.
Released on Friday, March 8, Open Channel is, without a doubt, one of the most unique and cohesive albums of the year. In a stunning display of artistry and innovation, Barclay Crenshaw not only cements a pivotal shift from house music to bass but establishes himself as a true innovator of sound.
Barclay Crenshaw immersed himself in transformation.
When Barclay Crenshaw signified his shift into bass music, it wasn’t as simple as just making a new type of music. In order to create the bass music he envisioned in his head, he had to redefine his artistic identity. To redefine his artistic identity, he had to part ways with his old self. How? By fully immersing himself in transformation. For 80 days, he took cold showers, practiced meditation, and focused solely on music production. By the end of the 80s days, he not only developed a new sound but transformed into the bass-savvy persona of Barclay Crenshaw.
Childhood experiences inspired Open Channel.
While Open Channel was created in 80 days, the inspiration for the album started when Barclay Crenshaw was just a child. Memories of exploring mysterious radio frequencies, long road trips, playing with his father’s police scanner, and reading Jules Verne’s classic novel Around The World In 80 Days would not only fuel his childhood imagination but serve as the backdrop of inspiration for the album.
“When I was a kid, my Dad had a CB radio he would use to talk to truckers and avoid police speed traps. My brother and sister, and I used the open channels on that radio to try and contact aliens. We saw the movie E.T. and believed it was possible,” he explained on an Instagram post.
Filled with kaleidoscopic soundscapes, extraterrestrial beats, and pulsing frequencies of bass, Open Channel not only reflects his childhood curiosity but dives even deeper into the void of the multiverse. From the dark vibrating bass off King of Monsters to the lo-fi nostalgic essence of Shyboy, Barclay Crenshaw takes listeners on an interdimensional journey through time, sound, and enchantment.
Open Channel is a genre-bending sonic experience.
Covering a wide range of sounds, Open Channel ultimately transcends the idea of genres altogether. With an unmatched sense of versatility, Barclay Crenshaw takes a handful of elements from dub, funk, lo-fi, and experimental bass, mixes them in a pot, and whips up a flavorful serving of bass-induced euphoria.
The opening track, Do My Ting featuring Flowdan & Stush, masterfully blends experimental wubz with the vigor of UK grime, while tracks like Dub Life, The Juice Is Good, and Biz Markie are fueled by free-flowing waves of funkadelic beats. Opening new channels of sound and vibrations, he not only covers a wide range of sonic landscapes but encapsulates a myriad of emotions. From the tranquil vibe of Stay Together to the hard-hitting beats of The Rebel, Open Channel is a spellbinding sonic experience that will leave you speechless.
You can stream Open Channels by Barclay Crenshaw HERE!
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