T.H.E Interview – Yellow Claw

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From topping the charts with their innovative sounds to filling up arenas and stadiums at festivals all over the world, dutch trio Yellow Claw have only touched the surface of showing off their capabilities.

Bizzey, Jim Asagier and Nizzle have come a long way since hosting their own parties at the prominent Jimmy Woo club in Amsterdam back in 2010. Making a name for themselves from there, later signing onto Mad Decent and Spinnin Records, releasing EPs internationally, unveiling their mix of trap, hip hop, moombahton and dubstep inspired productions.

In 2014 they became label bosses with their very own Barong Family imprint, releasing exceptional tracks from a stellar range of artists. Now their journey as artists have brought them to the creation of their debut album “Blood For Mercy”. Yes its definitely time for a Yellow Claw album and we are enthusiastic that this album will be sure to engage with your senses at every party. The album will be out today on Mad Decent. We recently got a chance to have a chat with Yellow Claw about the ins and outs of “Blood For Mercy”. Take a read below.

T.H.E – Hi Guys, we appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. How are all of you and what have you been up to recently?

Yellow Claw – Making music. Touring. And since very recent; enjoying a long vacation in our favorite tropical place on earth.

T.H.E – Many would say “It’s about time we got a Yellow Claw album”! We’re excited so please describe “Blood For Mercy” for us.

Yellow Claw – Hahaha. We agree. Well, we are very proud of how it turned out. It’s a little bit of everything. Stuff people are familiar with and stuff that’s going to feel unfamiliar too. We basically always do whatever the fuck we want. But now we could do that with a whole album. We loved that process.

T.H.E – How long has the album been in the works?

Yellow Claw – For about 10 months.

T.H.E – What was the inspiration behind the album’s title?

Yellow Claw – Just a sentence we all love. Yes, sometimes it’s that easy.

T.H.E – We have heard more mellow sounds like “Run Away”. Of course it’s not all about the drop but, the song structure and message. What is the ideology of “Blood For Mercy”? What is it that you guys want listeners to take from your album?

Yellow Claw – Go hard or stay home.

T.H.E – In what way is “Blood For Mercy” different from your previous releases, from a production/sound design perspective?

Yellow Claw – Since its a full album not all of the songs are meant for the clubs. We never did that before. It gives a certain musical freedom so to say.

T.H.E – Do you think there is a winning formula for producing a dance music album? Why?

Yellow Claw – We don’t know. Or maybe we don’t know that we know. I guess we’ll find out once the album is out there.

T.H.E – What are some of the challenges you have faced whilst producing this album?

Yellow Claw – The challenge to make it feel as a whole. As 16 songs that are different but can be listened to in the same flow. That means starting over on songs a lot and even not putting certain songs on the album in the end.

T.H.E – Who have you worked with on the album?

Yellow Claw – From amazing new talented artists like KALIBWOY and Naaz to super pro’s like Tiesto and Flux Pavilion, back to R&B allstars Ty Dolla $ign and Tyga. We had a blast.

T.H.E – How have these collaborations helped you in shaping and conveying your intent for “Blood For Mercy” or was it just a matter of making creative music, anything goes?

Yellow Claw – Collaborations, to us, always work in the same way. Working with talented people inspire us a lot. And that lets us make new and interesting music. For this album it obviously worked for us in the same way.

T.H.E – Which tracks of the album did you have the most fun producing? Which are your favourites?

Yellow Claw – In the last days of finishing up the album we discovered we all love different parts of different tracks on the album. The chords on Roller the record, The vocal on the collaboration with Flux Pavilion etc.etc.

T.H.E – Are there any other points you want to add about “Blood For Mercy”? Upcoming gigs?

Yellow Claw – As soon as the Blood For Mercy album hits the stores we’re touring the world non stop and in a rapid 150 bpm pace. Keep and eye out on our instagram as we will keep announcing more and more show dates.

T.H.E – Thank you so much. Wish you the best with the full album release. All the best, cheers.

You can pre-order your copy right here.