DJ-Draven: Interview with Leaether Strip

Leaether Strip: Interview with DJ-Draven

2010 Sep 3

Few bands have been both a pioneer and also a constant dominant force in their genres of music like Leæther Strip. Being one of the creations of Claus Larsen, Leæther Strip has been a reflection of the talents that he has. This band has also been a mirror into who Claus is as a person and his feelings in so many respects.

Q: Is there a special meaning to the "æ" that has been symbolic to both Leæther Strip and Klutæ?

A: Only that it's a letter "Æ" you only find that way in Danish. Originally the letter wasn't used in Klutæ, but a few years after my first Klute album came out a British jungle techno act "stole" the band name, and many thought it was my Klute, so I decided to add the Æ to that name too, then people would know who is who.

Q: Many see you as one of the founders of both electro-industrial and EBM. What areas of music were influential to the facets that are seen in your music?

A: I can hear most of the elements of the music I grew up with in my songs: 70's glam rock, Punk, early electronic music, New Wave and New romantic. I started out writing really melancholic techno pop songs but my style got more and more dark and I started to use more Symphonic elements too. Maybe because I was very eager to learn. As I am self taught the only way to learn was to experiment, and I never got tired of that. I have a uncontrollable need to hear what I come up with next and that drive is the reason for my productivity. I am addicted to writing songs.

Q: Did you have a particular inspiration, person, or music that was an inspiration or motivation in creating the diverse, yet unique music you create?

A: I think it's a mix of all sorts of inputs, of music, art, books and films. I actually "see" my songs when I write them. Maybe again because I taught on my own without a teacher. Sure there are special people and bands I admire. Like Alan Wilder, Fad Gadget, Soft Cell/Marc Almond, Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy, and so many more.

Q: Much of Leæther Strip's music seems to hit many areas of the music world, yet much of it always has a haunting undertone or sometimes even a bit of an aggressive edge. How have you been able to set such a unique mood?

A: When I write the songs, I have no filter and no secrets. I am a very private person in my real life, but in the music I am an open book. Here I can get a release of everything I have one my mind and explore my own mind too. Yes I move a lot on the darker regions of life. I guess that what I need to get out of my system. And I think there is a lot to be angry about in our world.

Q: For a creation like Leæther Strip that has so many unique sounds, do you actually create the sounds themselves or are they part of an instrument/synth set? If you do create them, how what kind of creation process do you undertake?

A: When I started out there was no such thing as a "preset". I had my old moog and a lot of knobs, and I had no idea what they did to the sound I was creating, I just kept on turning the knobs until it matched the sound I had in my head. So I work a lot like that still, like I said I work in a very visual way, like a painter with his brush. So I have most of the sound ideas in my head before I start working on a song. But today there is so many amazing Synths to work with and that just adds to the fun. And that's what the whole songwriting process should be like - Fun.

Q: Much of the music has very powerful messages within it. To many it has sounded personal in nature. Would it be safe to say that it is also an extension of not just Leæther Strip, but also who Claus Larsen is as a person?

A: Yeah I am very personal in most of my songs, I sing about things and experiences I don't even talk to people who are close to me. It's a free room for me to talk and say anything I want without actually hurting the ones I love, and getting it out in my music is therapy for me.

Q: This is where I presume a bit for you have always been one of the nicest guys I have known to date. With how some of your music is direct and even appearing to be hostile at times, do people ever comment to you about the contrast when they actually meet you?

A: Thanks. Yeah I do get the "I never knew you were such a mellow guy" at times. I understand that. I even scare myself at times if I see photos or videos from a show. We all have a dark side. I get mine out in my music, some people with their fists or in other ways, and some numb that side of them with drugs. I am a quiet guy living in the countryside with my husband Kurt and our Dogs, snake and fish. I love the big cities and going to concerts but I need peace and nature around my home.

Q: Many bands make remixes and also have their music remixed as well. Of all the bands out there, Leæther Strip is one of that rare few that has excelled in this. However, what do you like the most: remixing, or having your stuff remixed?

A: I love remixing for other bands when I have the time. It's good for experiments and it inspires me a lot too. It is very time consuming because I only use the vocals from the bands, and create all new music around it. Getting my own songs remixed by others is also nice. When you work alone like I do it's great to hear one's song in a different light. So I can't really pick what I like the most. I've had the luck to get to remix some of my favorite bands in my time. I have just remixed for Ministry. One of my all time favorite songs "Everyday is Halloween". Other highs for me was remixing Gary Numan, Christian Death, Nitzer Ebb. But I always try my best no matter who the band is.

Q: For being a one man project, you have created a huge amount of music. This often entails touring and other toils of the music world. How have you been able to create so much quality music and also still have a personal life?

A: Because I take the music very serious. Its takes most of my time. And because I married a man who brings the bacon, I can dedicate most of my time to the 2nd love of my life. My music.

I doubt that there would be a Leæther Strip or Klutæ today if it wasn't for him. My music is always present in my head no matter what I do or where I am.

This is my life, and not many people understand that.

Q: Leæther Strip has had some challenges in the past with labels going defunct. Many of the bands out there often also fall as well. How have you been able to not only keep Leæther Strip alive, but make what have seemed like seamless transitions to other labels?

A: Yeah all that shit made me dump music in my life for 5 years and gave me a deep depression on top of that. I didn't touch a keyboard for almost 5 years back then. The only reason I came back was because of my husband, Kurt, and my label Alfa Matrix, who kept trying to bring me back to my music. In this scene you are very close to the label people, and after a while they turn into family. Then if that all goes to hell and you find out that who you thought was friends for life, was nothing more than a fake arrangement to keep me in line, and they actually stole from me, then it hurts so bad. I got very deep scars from that period of my life.

Q: Where do you envision Leæther Strip going in terms of style of music?

A: I cannot answer that very well. I never sit down and plan how a song is going to sound. I just let it take me to where ever it wants. I cannot run from my roots. I tend to roam around in different styles on my albums and that will continue. A good album for me is one who takes you on a journey that you want to experience over and over again. So that is my main goal with my releases.

I will also have my soundtrack "Dark Passages" out in November. The movie is just about done so I can finally get the music out too.

Q: I know that you are preparing to do a number of concerts. Do you have the label set up the concerts or is this something you are usually more hands-on with?

A: Yes the last 2 years I have played a lot of shows after being away from the stage for 16 years, because of a back problem. The original plan was to play the shows I could get in a 1-year period. But the demand has been huge, so we decided to ride this horse until it doesn't want to ride anymore, or my back problem blows up again. The label has nothing to do with the shows. I don't even have an agent. All the shows goes through me. And so far it's been more than amazing. I am also hoping to get to play in countries I haven't played in before.