CLAPTONE: MYSTERY IN CLUBLAND

In an age of endless digital channels (and the accompanying digital noise), the concept of iconography in entertainment is seemingly a relic of the past. Visuals as instantly identifiable as a sequin glove or a Union Jack dress are fewer and far between in 2018’s music landscape, with the digital noise inundating music fans, making it impossible for that sort of post-verbal communication. However, that hasn’t stopped the DJs of the world from trying by strapping everything from marshmallows to mice to their heads.

On the more palatable end of this spectrum lies the spectral shimmer of Claptone, whose gold visage and Pinocchio-after-a-couple-lies nose are sure to be recognizable to anyone who’s found themselves at one of his festival sets (or seen “Eyes Wide Shut”). In his case – or “their case,” if you are one who believes there are two of them – Claptone’s maskedmagician illusion is a just a small part of the allure, as the Claptone brand of vocal-focused deep house is simply dripping with magic.

Taking elements of indie-pop (including some notable vocalists of the genre) and synthesizing them with a deep house aesthetic, the Berlin–based DJ/producer act has carved out a unique style. Despite the purposeful attempt to be shrouded with an air of mystery to the public, Claptone’s music is filled with a distinctly human touch. The instrumentation is decidedly organic, often shying away from big synths and drops in favor of dreamy grooves, and bluesy touches. The end result is uniquely enthralling: a timeless nostalgia with an undercurrent of melancholy.

We channeled––er––caught up with Claptone to chat about his latest album Fantast, The Masquerade event series, and the difficulties of making a personal connection with fans when you don’t have an identity.

DJ Times: When did work on the album officially begin?

Claptone: Work on the album began around three years ago when Charmer, my first album, just dropped. There were so many ideas that I couldn’t see through in time so I compiled a folder of layouts. DJ Times: Why a second album? Claptone: When revisiting early ideas and themes, some concepts reoccurred and seemed to impose themselves on me. I had to follow this lead. To give you an example, there were two early songs/layouts that later did not make it on the album – “Into The Wild” and “Mountain and Lake.” Those set the tone, introduced the nature theme to me when played back to back and gave me a vision for the whole album, which imagery and motifs I would like to have, how it should feel. This arch could be showing me a path to my soul. But it collided so heavily with the harsh political realities that I had my doubts from time to time. Further down the line, I bypassed my doubts.

DJ Times: Go a bit into the title of the album. What made you decide on Fantast?

Claptone: Fantast as an album name is like Charmer just another part of my character, where charmer introduced me as a being flickering between being actually charming and some kind of snake charmer who gets you under his spell, Fantast oscillates between traits of character that you might interpret as a real genius sonic being, an amazing storyteller who’s able to take you to places your mind can’t tell if they’re real or a dream, or just a blatant bragging liar.

DJ Times: How did the creative approach differ from Charmer?

Claptone: Charmer and Fantast are two sides of the same coin: both give you a sneak-peek behind my

Claptone: After I approached the vocalists, I supplied the Fantast theme, or more of a mood board and images of what I planned to do, how I imagined the record to be. I did not want to limit their creativity, but open up a field of connotations, in order to have them find a point of view in that field to write from. The concept would hold the album together, as would the sound. With some lyrics I received created a whole new musical composition for them – others I just changed the layouts slightly. I did all that up to a point where I felt it was right.

DJ Times: Your event concept – The Masquerade – has really taken off. How has it grown and evolved over the past year or so?

Claptone: When I started with the first The Masquerade in Berlin in 2016, it was in the rather small Ritter Butzke club with only a papiermâché prototype on the big Claptone masks, which now grew into a whole stage setup with 12 LED lit masks and the big chrome Claptone mask flying above the DJ. Even back then, I brought MK, Perel, Dirty Doering and Mat.Joe to set the musical perspective for the event series. And I brought performers, stilt walkers, and dancers. All that is still the same, but has grown into a worldwide touring concept. Since then, I’ve hosted a stage at Tomorrowland with The Masquerade – and for dozens of other festivals. I’ve brought the event to Amnesia in Ibiza four times together with Elrow.

DJ Times: How do you create a connection with fans while still maintaining your air of mystery?

Claptone: It’s magic. No, but honestly, I am Claptone: People get in contact with me through social media and, at times, I get back to them and answer their questions, share their input and comments, like their posts. I am a decent being.

– Chris Caruso