Klutæ

Claus:  All the songs were recorded late Summer/Early Fall and I had it planned for release March 1st, but Kurt’s health and the Corona crap got in the way. It's a one-hundred percent self-release so I'm the only one doing the release things, like packing and mailing orders out, so I just didn't see it possible in March.  Kurt was in and out of the Hospital since December 19th, so I couldn't handle it.
Claus:  Yeah time flies. It will be Klutæ's thirtieth anniversary next year, so that's amazing. I still can't believe that I am still doing this shit. For being something I just started for fun, it really has made an impact on some people, and I have no plans of stopping any of my projects. I take them all very seriously, and I try to do my best every time. Klutæ is very important for me, I experiment in a different way than with Leæther Strip, and goof off when doing that I just wish I had more Klutæ gigs, I think that is where it really needs to be. I had two Klutæ gigs this year that got cancelled or moved to next year as all my other gigs.
Claus:  Yes, but I'm keeping those plans to myself. It’s a surprise!
Claus:  Unlike the older Klutæ albums, on "Queer for Satan", apart from one song 'Shit Music' all samples were found and put on after the main song / lyrics / parts were done, so I had to find samples that were suitable to the theme of the song. The Depeche Mode Sample (Master And Servant) on 'My Master Is Angry' was added because while checking out my mix in the car I suddenly started to sing that Depeche Mode part while it was playing, and funny enough, it was in the exact same key as 'Master and Servant', so I just had to add that little vocal part.

Claus:  The 'Shit Music' sample is from a YouTube video I remembered, where Iggy Pop comes out of a club enraged and hating on Techno music.  So that comment kinda shaped that song. 'Shit Music' is a sort of metaphor for today's endless bla bla bla coming from most media and news stations especially, including today's chart music. DJ's or Webzines / magazines who actually does research, find new acts to play and introduce to the dance floors are a dying breed. I guess I'm a grumpy old man, but that's how I got to find most of the bands I loved back in the day. Most people today want everything thrown into their face to even give a damn. That's very sad. Most people stopped caring that much about music as an art form, and yes, I am allowed to be angry about this, and no I'm not going to pay to be on your chart or be in your magazine or on your compilation, which is now common these days. There is so much new talent out there who can't get a break, and they just give up, and that's a crime!
Claus:  I also did a few on the "Hit'n'run" album. New Order's 'Blue Monday' and The Human League’s 'Circus of Death'.  I have thought about doing a full album of covers done under the Klutæ name / style. So maybe next year I'll start on that.
Claus:  The CD version was sold out, and since I'm not working with Rustblade anymore I wanted it released on Læbel. A lot of people kinda missed that album release for several reasons, so I think it needed a re-release, so I added the bonus tracks on this to make it a bit more collectible. It also wasn't promoted very well in the US especially so it just needed a second chance. It's almost sold out again, my gut feeling was right.
Claus:  Yes, it's at the printing plant now. It will be a 2CD release, very limited. I don’t have a release date just yet, but if people want this they should go and follow my Leaether Strip Bandcamp site, the followers will get first in line before it's released officially, if there is any left after that. It's been something I've wanted to do for many years, ever since I did the old cover of 'Testure' back in the 90's. And while I was locked out from seeing Kurt at the hospital I started in it, I needed the escape and I just kept going, not to have a full-blown breakdown. I was too crushed to really write new songs so doing covers instead really worked. Kurt only has me, and I only him, so if one of us crashes, it's over. 

Claus:  It's been good and sometimes stressful, the distance and communication sometimes is a problem, but I'm still with them, they have the rights on all my Zoth Ommog era Strip and Klute material plus they also have the Æppreciation series now, yes they have been very successful because my audience has been very supportive as usual, plus it has also given me a lot of new listeners, who never heard my stuff until they heard these covers. Not allowed to tell you what, but Cleopatra are working on something big, that will put a huge smile on some people! 
Claus:  Yes, I got four songs down now, I don’t really go for an ongoing theme on this one, I just see where it takes me. With instrumentals I have more freedom because I don’t have to worry about structure, you are "allowed" to anything really. That is also what makes it hard. I learn a lot doing instrumentals, and I have to ignore my thoughts a lot during the writing because my brain wants vocals.  It's a lot of fun and very inspiring. I still have a dream of doing soundtracks for films, I did a few for underground movies, but I'd love to get a chance to score a bigger production one day.
Claus:  Yes, we finished work on the next Mirland / Larsen album, and the next Am Tierpark is also recorded, both will be released this year.  John is also super busy with his own projects so productivity is not an issue yet. He has the same drive as I have. We need this to function.