Interview With Yellow Claw!

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you must be aware of who Yellow Claw are. The genre-defying trio comprising of Bizzey (Leo Roelandschap), Jim Aasgier (Jim Taihuttu) and Nizzle (Nils Rondhuis) come straight out of Netherlands and are responsible for the creation of some of the most ravaging tunes that have blazed up festival mainstages and dance floors alike. Known for their highly energetic live performances and willingness to push boundaries, the Amsterdam trap lords continue to move towards their goal to take over the world one rager at a time.

We caught up with Yellow Claw prior to their highly awaited debut performance in India this weekend to discuss their influences, debut album, upcoming releases and much more. Read on!

TBB: Your debut album ‘Blood For Mercy’ has done exceedingly well! What was the idea behind such a diverse LP?

Yellow Claw: We think releasing an album really makes you count as an artist, it’s like the last step you have to take to get to that next level. We also wanted to experiment more and wanted to show the world how diverse our music can be.

TBB: How do you constantly stay motivated and inspired to create such fresh and energetic tunes?

Yellow Claw: We get our inspiration pretty much out of our all day life, working with a lot of great artists, running a record label with the coolest kids we know, touring all over the world with your best friends. That is what keeps us motivated.

TBB: Your tracks are an eclectic meld of different genres, almost like a rich exotic dish being cooked. Where does that come from?

Yellow Claw: It kinda all started as a club night at Jimmy Woo – Amsterdam, and there wasn’t really enough music for us to play that fitted our parties, so we started playing a lot of hiphop instrumentals in the 70/75 bpm range. We would often mix it with the harder stuff like dubstep. Form there on we started producing our own music and we just  love to experiment with all these sounds. We actually never think about working in genres. We just produce and release what we like and what feels good.

TBB: You guys have been reckoned as the purveyors of trap music in Europe. In a continent where all forms of house, trance and techno dominates clubs and dance floors, do you think you guys have made a mark to spread the sound amongst the audience there now?

Yellow Claw: If you say so 😉

TBB: How does a massive Yellow Claw production come to life? Do you guys have roles assigned or is it more of an organic process that follows? 

Yellow Claw: It depends on a lot of factors, it comes pretty organically tho. Sometimes we work together in the studio but we work separately as well. For an example, Jim was in LA for three months, recorded a shit load of songs and came home with so much new music were we’re working on right now.

TBB: 2015 was a big year for Yellow Claw and trap music. And given the popularity the genre has achieved in the past twelve months, where do you think the movement is now headed towards?

Yellow Claw: We are mostly focused on creating new music at the moment, doing some super cool projects and collabs. And of course with the summer on it’s way and the festival season bout to start we’re going to be travelling a lot and do a lot of awesome festival hostings with our label Barong Family.

TBB: You have collaborated with bass dons like Major Lazer, Flosstradamus, DJ Snake and many more for that matter. Any dream collaborations yet to come to life?

Yellow Claw: Time will tell 😉

TBB: Yellow Claw has no doubt come a long way. What would you say has been your greatest achievement so far in your career?

Yellow Claw: Producing an album consisting of 16 tracks.

TBB: With an album done and dusted, a merch line under your belt and your home-grown label Barong Family running extremely well, what can we expect from Yellow Claw in the near future?

Yellow Claw: A new single and some other cool stuff. 😉

TBB: Who do you guys like more Batman or Superman? 

Yellow Claw: Batman!

TBB: You guys have an incredible fanbase in India and it has indeed been a long time coming. Anything you would like to say to the fans here?

Yellow Claw: INDIA THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER. WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!

TBB: What are your Top 3 #Bangin tracks at the moment?

Yellow Claw: 

Yellow Claw & Flux Pavilion – Catch Me ft. Naaz

DJ Snake & Yellow Claw – Ocho Cinco (unreleased)

Mike Cervello – Fuego (unreleased)

Yellow Claw are set to play in Mumbai on Sunday, 8th May, 2016 at Richardson & Cruddas.