Barclay Crenshaw’s next move: is a return to house music on the horizon?

On his Open Channel tour, Barclay Crenshaw redefines his sound, but the buzz around a possible Claude VonStroke return keeps fans guessing.

Barclay Crenshaw, the creative force behind Claude VonStroke, is currently taking the U.S. by storm with his bass-centered Open Channel tour. On Halloween, he performed in Atlanta, GA for an exclusive DEF 360 show, where we had the chance to catch up and discuss his latest musical direction, tracks created with his children, and his perspective on the evolving electronic music scene.

Crenshaw’s shift from his house-focused Claude VonStroke alias to his own name marks a big change in his sound. He mentions how he grew tired of the repetitive how mainstream house music had become repetitive, often recycling predictable build-ups and explosive drops. “I started to feel like the rooms wanted big build ups and big drops in house music and that’s not really my thing. I felt like if I am going to play crazy impactful music like that, I might as well go to the source.” With this thinking, Crenshaw decided to switch things up and shift his focus to creating bass music.

His musical journey also includes collaborations with his children, adding a personal dimension to his music. He worked with his daughter, Ella, on “Tiramisu,” where her vocals capture the energy on this punchy, punk-inspired track. On the other hand, he teamed up with his son, Jasper, on “Goodbye My Friends,” a softer, more sentimental track marking Jasper’s farewell to his friends before heading to college.

Later in the interview, we confirmed that an Open Channel remix album is in the works, scheduled for release early next year. Crenshaw also discussed the remix contest he held for his track “The Rebel (feat. Snowy).” After reviewing over 60 track submissions, the finalists were put to a fan vote, with So Sus emerging as the contest winner.

While Crenshaw is fully embracing the high-energy bass scene, he hinted at a return to his house roots next year, missing the unique vibe his Claude VonStroke sets bring. With a fan base that spans both bass and house music, Barclay Crenshaw shows no signs of slowing down and continues to expand his multifaceted discography.