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The Women Behind Dirtybird, One of the Biggest Labels in Dance Music

With women making waves in various fields and receiving the recognition they deserve in the electronic music industry, there are stories out there that should serve as an inspiration for other women that they can do anything, and do it successfully too. One of them is the story of record label Dirtybird.

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Breaking: Dirtybird Campout East Shut Down By Local Florida Officials Following Noise Complaints

Update: The festival announced that gates re-opened and that the weekend schedule was to continue as planned!

 


If you heading to Florida to attend what was meant to be the first ever Dirtybird Campout East we recommend you halt your plans and consider returning or staying home.

According to Dirtybird Campout’s official social media statements, a series of noise complaints has resulted in local officials closing the festival gates and not allowing anyone else to enter. The tweet with that info was followed by another that recommended “not traveling to the event until further notice.”

According to social media posts the situation is serious and there looks to be little hope for the festival to actually take place.

Stay up to date with Dirtybird Campout’s Twitter for further updates.

Minimal Effort NYE Returns to The MacArthur with DJ Tennis, Justin Martin, Jimmy Edgar and More

We have been following the events with Minimal Effort closely, knowing full well what happened during their All Hallow’s Eve event on Halloween weekend. The simple truth of the matter is that the organizers were forced to shut doors due to “capacity and safety” issues although the event was not at capacity as approved and proven by city permits.

Naturally, this left a very sour taste in the mouth of attendees who couldn’t enjoy the night. The hallmark of a good brand can be seen in how they react to adversity and in their failure to deliver to their customers. Minimal Effort’s response in this regard has been impeccable, refunding all requests from ticket buyers that didn’t enter that night as well as providing them a free ticket to the upcoming 2017 New Year’s Eve edition. All this while doubling down on efforts to secure a venue that has a proven track record and that will provide the safe haven for all to enjoy the welcoming of 2018.

 

With this in mind, today Minimal Effort announced that it is makings its return to the historic haunts of The MacArthur, site of their successful 2015 edition and a venue that holds much respect and appreciation from Minimal Effort regulars. The event will continue its devotion to providing ahead of its time electronic music lineups to the underground elite of Los Angeles.

Minimal Effort’s lineups have always been a point of pride, and this time it’s no less, featuring Dirtybird favorites Justin Martin and J.Phlip, Life and Death co-founder DJ Tennis, Detroit’s Jimmy Edgar, grit-driven House specialist Ardalan, All Day I Dream favorite Oona Dahl, one of the world’s craftiest track-selectors in DJ Three and Minimal Effort staple Human Resources. But that’s not all, as Minimal Effort plans to announce a Special Guest on December 3rd.

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Claude VonStroke Releases Lineup for Dirtybird Campout 2017

“Picture the good ole days, when sun-drenched hours flew by filled with outdoor adventures, life was no more complicated than trying to win at dodgeball or finding a new friend to sneak off with after dark. Yep, Summer Camp was pretty epic, but if only there had been house music!”

That’s the mindset that drove Claude VonStroke and his Dirtybird team to launch their hugely successful Dirtybird Campout, which returns this coming October for its third installment at a new and improved home in Central California. It’s a singular experience delivering three days of nostalgia inducing activities, soundtracked by some of the world’s most cutting edge DJs and live acts, all curated by Head Counselor and label boss Claude himself.

Today, VonStroke revealed those who will be joining him in October at Campout, turning late nights into early mornings at the after-hours stage and programming those sun filled afternoons at the Birdhouse. He also announced a brand-new second stage, allowing him to showcase the event’s biggest lineup yet featuring a wider selection of sounds and artists from soundscapes that range from contemporary house to hip-hop and several genres in between.

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Sirus Hood Estimates He Had 100,000 Booties Shaking Last Year Ahead of North American Tour 2017 with Sacha Robotti

 

Instagram - ArtworkIn the next coming months, Sirus Hood and Sacha Robotti will be embarking on a 16-stop North American tour beginning on the 3rd of February in Santa Barbara and ending on April 8th at Phoenix’s Lights Festival. In between, the two producers and DJs will visit some of the region’s best known venues, including Bang Bang in San Diego, Webster Hall in New York City and Spybar in Chicago.

Paris’ Sirus Hood has risen the ranks of the French and International house scene thanks to a sound that can be best described by the two main labels he releases on: CUFF and Dirtybird. The first is the brainchild of French ghetto-house movers Amine Edge & DANCE, while the second is the unmistakable global brand spearheaded by LA-based producer and DJ Claude vonStroke. While housed on separate sides of the world, the two labels have one very distinct theme in common: they get people moving and they get booties shaking.

Sirus prides himself on adopting that very same philosophy in his productions and DJ sets, a musical benchmark that has seen him grow in popularity both back in Europe and across the pond here in the States. His latest track — a collaboration with Roland Clark entitled “I’m House” — was recently featured on Dirtybird’s New Years Special Volume 2 compilation.

You can listen to it below and purchase it on Beatport.

We talked with Sirus to discuss how he first met the Dirtybird crew, his love for hip-hop, the legalization of weed in the States and more!

Welcome back to the States! How does it feel to be back?

Thank you! It feels so good, I’m so excited to tour here, every time was a blast, and no doubt that this tour will be amazing.

Your music is definitely inspired by sounds that vary from Chicago Hip-House/Ghetto House to classic NYC house music. Tell us about the first time you came to the US, was it what you expected?

Yes, I was definitely inspired by these movements. The first time I came to the US was in Miami with my best friend, I had in mind the GTA Vice City maps and it was surprisingly similar haha. It was one of my goals to come play in the States and I am so proud to have been able to tour around the country where the music that inspires me took place.

Your music is firmly represented by two record labels, Europe’s CUFF and the US’ Dirtybird. How did you first get involved with Barclay and the rest of his team?

The first time I met him was in Miami at a Dirtybird BBQ a few years ago for the WMC. While I was queuing up to get in, Justin Martin played one of my tracks, and I said at the door “They are playing my track, please can I get in to film !” And they were kind enough to let me in directly. I met Barclay on the stage where I introduced myself. And when I heard Justin playing a second track of mine, I went up to him and told him who I was, he got crazy and carried me in front of everybody haha. Since then, we’ve kept in contact. CUFF invited Claude VonStroke to a Showcase Paris in 2015 and we played b2b. After that I released 3 tracks on his label and I hope to do more with him.

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If you were to guess, how many booties did you get shaking in 2016?

100 parties x 1000 people =

Then there are the streaming booties, we need to find a very complicated formula in order to sum up all the plays on internet, on Soundcloud, YouTube and Spotify. Et voila! I would say a few million booties. Not bad

What was your favorite gig of last year? Why?

I can’t decide on one particular gig, but I can say that my favorites were : Truth – Joburg (South Africa). Ministry of Sound – London (England). Decks on the Beach, Beirut (Lebanon). Sankeys – Manchester (England) for NYE.

You’re about to embark on a huge North of American tour and I am sure you’re excited for each stop. Any specific club you’re looking forward to playing?

I’m looking forward to playing again in Bang Bang San Diego, and La Cave in Orange County, next to LA. I’m also looking forward to going to Las Vegas, I’ve always wanted to go there!

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What do you think about the weed legalization movement in the States?

I think that any country that encourages liberty should enable anyone to decide what is good or not for him/her. Anyway, all form of prohibition never really worked, it actually elevated criminal activity. I hope that the other “free” countries will follow this example.

Who is your favorite hip-hop artist of all time?

I’m hesitating between Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Biggie of course. With a slight preference for Dr. Dre because he is a music producer.

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Ok next up I’m going to ask some rapid-fire questions. Favorite food?

Ice Cream

What is your favorite 80’s jam?

Queen – I Want To Break Free

Hats or hoods?

Hats in summer, hoods in winter

Pioneer or Allen & Heath?

Pioneer

Favorite football/soccer team?

On FIFA, I always play with the Barcelona team

What’s your biggest tour pet peeve?

Jet Lag

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Favorite country you’ve visited?

Australia

Favorite non-booty house track?

Long Time – Inland Knights

Small club or mega-club?

BOTH!

90’s hip-hop or current hip-hop?

90’s


 

All photos by Justin Prinz

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Connect with Sirus Hood: Resident Advisor | Facebook | Instagram | SoundCloud

Watch the Music Video for Catz ‘n Dogz New Single

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Twerking, french fries, fisherman, cheerleaders, and an equestrian team. Those are just a few things you can expect to see in the “Get It Right” official music video.

Polish duo, Catz ‘n Dogz, are at it again with another superb release on Pets Recordings. Get It Right features the soothing voice of Tanika, while sticking true to their deep garage bass lines and finely polished sounds. From groovy percussion to rich and resonate chord stabs, Get It Right is everything you’d expect from Catz ‘n Dogz.

Stepping in on remix duty is Mr. Dirtybird himself, Claude Von Stroke. With a sound and aesthetic that closely resembles Catz ‘n Dogz, Calude Von Stroke is a clear cut choice to provide his low frequency burning house remix of Get It Right, and he sure does get it right.

Check out the Get It Right official music video to see what Catz ‘n Dogz have in store for everyone.

Get It Right is currently available on Beatport, with the full-length album expected to be released on October 9th.

TBT: Global Vibe Radio 003 with Justin Jay

Justin Jay

At the tender age of 18, and as a freshman at the University of Southern California, Justin Jay released his first EP on Claude Von Stroke’s label, Dirtybird. That was several years ago, and since then the young Californian has went on to be one of the prominent rising stars within the dance industry.

Since his rise to underground stardom there’s been ample coverage on his music career and unique story as a young scholar walking the halls of USC. From sleepless nights and even rejected demos from Claude Von Stroke, Justin Jay has shown relentless grit to follow his passion and express himself so well through music.

Here at 6AM Group we’ve always been very fond of Justin Jay as an artist, obviously, but also as an overall great human being. As we look through the archives of our Global Vibe Radio series, we couldn’t help but reminisce on one of our first few episodes with Justin Jay himself.

Enjoy this thirty minute throwback mix from the young Dirtybird, and make sure to stay up to date with Justin Jay for more musical satisfaction

Justin Jay: Facebook | Soundcloud | Resident Advisor

Tracklist:
1. Justin Jay – Escape Velocity
2. Mario Basanov – Skywalker (Beckwith Remix)
3. Parallel Dance Ensemble – Shopping Cart (Maxxi Soundsystem Remix)
4. Robosonic – The Edge
5. Justin Martin – Hood Rich
6. Amine Edge and Dance – Gimme Tha Fonky Ass
7. Hot Since 82 – Hit and Run
8. High Powered Boys – Udon (Julio Bashmore Sax-Dub)

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Preview: Justin Jay “Mom I Graduated” EP

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Congratulations to Los Angeles native Justin Jay on his recent graduation from USC – no stranger to the local dance scene, he has risen to international superstar status at the young age of 22. In 2013, Pete Tong named Justin Jay up-and-coming artist of the year, and he has had major support from some of the industry’s heaviest hitters, including Justin Martin and Claude von Stroke of dirtyBird

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The story of Justin Jay’s rise to success is incredibly inspiring, considering that he accomplished all of this while attending USC as a full-time student. To celebrate the graduation, he will be dropping his Mom I Graduated EP, which includes “Hit It,” a dark tech house track reminiscent of the old-school, and “Make It Rain,” a bass-heavy banger garnished with classic drum machine grooves.

Last year, he sat down with the Nest for an in-depth video interview in which the dance community got a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a producer who wows us more with every release, and a DJ who creates nothing but unforgettable nights. He’s been making some serious moves in the industry, and now that he’s done with school, we can only imagine what kind of new projects he has in the works. Justin Jay’s upcoming “Mom I Graduated” EP on dirtyBird will be available in September at the following sites.

Release Information

Beatport Release: September 14th
iTunes: September 25th
Spotify: September 25th

Justin Jay: Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Resident Advisor | Beatport

dirtyBird: Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Resident Advisor | Beatport

Dirtybird Campout with Claude Von Stroke & Friends

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Dirtybird label boss, Claude Von Stroke, hinted on his facebook page yesterday that a Camp out gathering is in the near future promising to showcase “All of your favorite DJs in the world”, a bold statement that’s creating a rapid buzz.

Not much has been leaked about what this camp out will entail nor where this will even take place, but speculations are hinting either somewhere in the Bay area (Headquarters) or right here in Southern California as weather could be more favorable in early October.

After seeing success on their world renowned Dirtybird BBQ, it seems the Big Bird is taking ventures beyond his own backyard and in to the wilderness. Keep an eye out for this one, a weekend camp out with Claude Von Stroke and his talented friends sounds quite enticing as one fan’s comment basically summarizes it all….”shut up and take our money”.

For more updates on Dirtybird Campout be sure to follow them: Facebook / Twitter / Official Website

Freebie Friday: Justin Martin

Justin Martin EXLAWhen it comes to high quality bass and house music, the Dirtybird crew can be considered master chefs. Luckily for us folks in Los Angeles, they’ve held down a residency this year at Exchange LA with many of their artists coming through to lay down dance floor heat. This Saturday the Dirtybird night includes Justin Martin, Jimmy Edgar, Justin Jay, and Christian Martin. We’re already more than excited, but here’s two free downloads from Justin Martin to help us get in the right mindset for the evening.

RSVP and pre-sale tickets are available on our Events tab.

Just imagining Justin Martin’s rework of Ultraista – Small Talk coming through the sound system at Exchange puts us in a good mood. It’s a fantastic bass heavy rework that has all the essential elements that give it that quintessential Dirtybird feel.

The second free download, Don’t Go (VIP) starts off with an ensemble of strings that rain down from the bass heavens. A beautiful compilation of strings only to fade into the deep bass and groove suited for the dance floor. The download is at the standard 320 bit rate, but head on over to the Dirtybird Drip.fm and there are some more goodies available there. (For a small subscription fee).

A big night ahead this Saturday for the Dirtybird takeover at Exchange. Enjoy these free downloads, and we’ll see you on the dance floor!