LABEL FEATURE | We Are…Dirtybird

We are….is the exclusive UGroove TV feature created to give a moment to the labels we find and love, for those who’s music we enjoy and to those we feel deserve to be looked at in a little more detail. It’s always about the releases, the artists and rarely about the label itself or their trusty A&R’s stroke label managers who, let’s face it, make the labels exactly what they are so we thought we should show them a little love, put them in the spotlight and give them a moment to tell us what they are all about. We’ll be hearing from the unknown to the well known, as each have their unique stories! Second up in the series of the We are… label feature is the legendary Claude Von Stroke with his dirtybird imprint.

Hello, we are dirtybird.

The label is run and owned by me myself and I, Claude Von Stroke.

It was started up because I saved up a bunch of loot making corporate research videos, then my girlfriend (now wife) told me she would pay all the bills and let me have a go at it for one year. If I made it through the storm I could keep doing it if I didn’t then I would have to go back to get a real job forever. At the same time Justin Martin & sammy D (now of Pilowtalk) were making some incredible music so they were the source of the first few tunes until I also started making some as well.

The first track released on the label was 

The Southern Draw by Justin Martin & Sammy D; this was the best opening track for the label. It was so off the wall..it even had a rap in a southern accent over the top. It was wild and quirky and really fun, and it set the tone for the future. It also got me a vinyl distro deal with Ziggy at Neuton in Frankfurt. (now sadly bankrupt)

Artists who have released on the label include Justin Martin, myself, Catz n Dogz, Worthy, Eats Everything, Tanner Ross, Julio Bashmore, J Phlip, Sasha Braemer, Leroy peppers, Itzone, Donk Boys, Tim Green, Riva Starr, Kink, B-Ju, Kingdom, Tom Flynn, A1 Bassline, Breach, Style of Eye, Iz an Diz, Bootsy Collins…it goes on and on. We’re at the 70th release now. We started more than a few careers as well.

Artists who are due to remix for us include John Tejada, Dj Marky, Robag Wruhme, Music For Freaks, Audion, Frankie, Bruno Pronsato, Jesse Rose, DJ Assault, Aland Byallo, Stimming, Steve bug, Holger Zilske and more.

Something you probably don’t know about us is that I originally set out to be Justin Martin’s manager, he started to get some interest from a bunch of people in 2005 and no one was looking out for him. So I was helping him start his career. I had been making music for 15 years but I never thought it was possible to do it for a living until I saw what Justin was able to do within 6 months of learning how to use music software. So it’s really Justin Martin that got me started and I’m really happy we are still working together and that I am able to continue to support his career.

The label was originally called Rook Records but that was kind of a weak one. I was sitting in the bar where both justin and Christian martin worked and I drew this bird image on nanpkin that I had ben drawing since I was a kid. I used to draw it to make my brother laugh in church. Someone said “dirtybird” and it stuck from that moment on..,

A favourite remixed track has to be the DJ Marky & S.P.Y. remix of Aundy. I made the track in this drum n bass vibe that has now kind of become quite popular with the whole Bashmore sound coming up big. Anyway, I ran into Marky on a bus at Creamfields and I sent the track to his email the same night. He told me that night he would do it and he turned in a stunning remix.

Eventually down the line James Zabielia even made a cool edit that joins up the house version to the drum n bass version and it smashed it. really good stuff.

As a favourite original I still really love the whole Rocket Surgery EP by the Martin brothers. Its so next level and no one has a sound like this with Bay Area Hyphy AND house mixed up… it is a crazy record. I love it.

Another label who I appreciate for their sound is Frankie Recordings out of Paris; so oddball and so cool. the swing on the beats is so far out that you don’t even think it is in time anymore – but it is!! That label has delivered so many secret late night bombs . I still love it. I bring out Frankie records all the time.

Our artwork on dirtybird has not been our strongest asset but now I think we have a nice set of designers with Max Pfisterer as the lead guy. He is really good. All the mothership art is the best truthfully and he did all of that. He also did the HATCHED art which I think is excellent.

The ethos behind the label is to have fun, life is not so serious. We are not making a joke when we make music but we ARE having a good time. We also like to keep a very tight family vibe amongst the whole crew, if you want to behave like a recluse then we don’t really knock on your door for a bunch of new tunes.

As for the future, I think dirtybird is just now hitting it’s stride, that may sound strange but after 7 years of running it almost alone I’ve really loosened up a little. I’m letting some other people come in and help out and the difference is really amazing.

Personally in 10 years I want to be in Kauai sipping drinks with umbrellas but i’m sure I will still be making tunes and dong A&R. Its an addiction.

My greatest achievement so far is Aundy, Jasper and Ella Crenshaw and quitting my real job at 32.

I already have the top three people I want to release on the label; Justin Martin, Claude VonStroke and whoever else sends me the hottest shit.

Next up is a new one by and Jaw of dOP. It’s a different vibe than usual and the first time I ever did a song with a real singer, and I think it came out really cool.

You can find us in these places:

To buy the music  |  On Twitter | @vonstroke

On Facebook |  Our Website  |  On Soundcloud

Finally, we are….going to have to release the giant Octopus on your ass.

Words: Claude Von Stroke