EMPIRE GOES DANCING

EMPIRE is officially expanding into electronic music as the label acquires San Francisco dance label Dirtybird. The deal encompasses Dirtybird’s back catalog and future releases as well as its clothing, publishing and Web3 assets.

Producer Claude VonStroke, né Barclay Crenshaw, founded the imprint in 2005 and will continue to own and run the label’s live events and festivals.

“Dance music has always been a huge part of the music scene in the Bay Area,” said EMPIRE CEO/founder Ghazi. “Dirtybird embodies the independent ethos and understands the cultural nuances of all things San Francisco and dance music.”

“I’m so excited to join another incredible independent Bay Area music company,” added Crenshaw. “I will continue to A&R the Dirtybird label and direct creative for the music and clothing, while EMPIRE has the capacity and resources to grow the brand globally. This is a dream come true.”

The EMPIRE/Dirtybird partnership will be formally announced tonight (10/20) at ADE, Amsterdam’s annual electronic-music-industry conference, during an event at Space266. We, on the other hand, will be raving from our couch waiting for the edibles to kick in.