Claptone

ByBass Dust Club

Claptone is one of the first House music artists I listened to when I got into EDM. And for…

claptone house artist spotify official image

Claptone is one of the first House music artists I listened to when I got into EDM. And for a little over a decade, the masked DJ has continued to produce hits and captivate audiences around the world. But there’s a catch – Claptone might be more than one person… In this Bass Dust Club biography, we’re going to uncover the meaning behind his plague-era golden mask, explore the producer’s rise to fame, and venture a few guesses as to who we think he might be. Grab your headphones (and your mask for privacy) and let’s get into this Deep House mystery.

Early Life & Background

Claptone, whose real identity remains a mystery, is a Berlin-based DJ & producer. Because nobody in the public knows his true identity, we can’t make any guesses or assumptions about his birthplace, childhood, or introduction to electronic dance music. So this story starts in 2011, when he first burst onto the scene.

Breakthrough in the EDM Scene

After presumably years of honing his craft and developing his unique sound, Claptone’s breakthrough came in the early 2010s. He released his debut single, “Good to You,” which quickly gained traction and caught the attention of both fans and industry professionals alike.

The success of “Good to You” paved the way for Claptone’s rapid rise to prominence. Wanting to keep his identity a mystery, he opted to wear a plague-era golden mask during his live performances and other public appearances. Fans loved it so much that they started wearing the same masks to his shows. There are plenty of theories about his real identity and why he wears a mask, but in an interview with Haute Living in 2019, he set the record straight:

“I never take it off, so for me, it’s a part of myself. I don’t really reflect on that. People can’t see my private life, which makes my life easier. The thing that limits my creativity is lack of time. It felt natural to wear the mask and was at one point a part of me. It wasn’t a conscious decision that it would give me more freedom. It just happened out of different circumstances.”

We’re assuming that the desire for privacy also played a role in his decision to wear the mask, but this quote gives more context. Creativity burnout is a common struggle among DJs & producers, so we’re stoked that Claptone is able to manage it in a way that suits his lifestyle.

After his first single, Claptone continued to solidify his position as a House pioneer with tracks like “No Eyes,” “Heartbeat,” and “Under the Moon.” He also remixed a handful of popular songs in other genres, most notably songs by Depeche Mode & Gorillaz.

Early in 2023, he launched his own label, Golden Recordings, with the debut release of the hit single “Euphoria.” Plenty of artists build their own record labels, all for varying reasons. But in Claptone’s words, he created Golden Recordings ‘to celebrate House Music and its everlasting golden era. To revel in its strong roots as well as its diversity and open mindedness, which bring forth new sounds and flavors every day. May it continue for another eternity in this and at least 3294 other parallel universes.”

A true man of the people – House music forever.

Signature Sound & Production Techniques

Claptone’s signature sound is a fusion of several genres, as is the case with most artists. But we’re not one to confine artists to a single genre – we love when these lines get blurry.

What Kind of EDM is Claptone?

Most of his tracks are best classified as Deep House & Techno House. He samples elements from Disco, Funk, and Soul as well, so it’s hard to say he’s “just” a Deep House producer. Most of his tracks fall into the 115-130 beats per minute (BPM) range.

Claptone is known for his meticulous attention to detail, which you’ll find is common among many Deep & Tech House producers. He spends countless hours in the studio, carefully crafting each element of his tracks. The music is three-dimensional in nature, using complex reverb, delay, and panning to immerse listeners in.

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Discography

He has a long list of albums, EPs, singles, remixes, VIPs, edits, bootlegs, and collaborations – check out his official releases on Spotify:

Tours & Live Performances

Claptone’s live shows are nothing short of extraordinary. Between his enigmatic persona, infectious energy, and a sea of golden masks in the crowd, he’s certainly paved his own path. He’s played major festivals like Coachella & Beats of Love, and toured multiple continents both as a headliner and as support for other artists. He’s also B2B’d with some of the best House artists in the world like Vintage Culture & Purple Disco Machine.

One of the highlights of Claptone’s live performances is “The Masquerade,” a Venetian-style party where guests’ faces are covered by masquerade masks, and they’re able to embody a new identity to live out their deepest, darkest desires. He’s taken this show around the world but its home is at Pacha, a popular club in Ibiza. If you still haven’t found your rave bae, this might be the place for you…

Personal Life & Off-stage Persona

We don’t know who Claptone is – he’s done a better job of hiding his identity than other masked DJs (we won’t name names). He’s chosen to separate his on & off-stage persona, which I’m sure many artists have considered at one point or another. Regardless, it’s no surprise that many have commented on just how passionate about his craft he is. He puts in countless hours in relentless pursuit of great House music.

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