Barthezz

Barthezz, born Bart Claessen, was born in the Netherlands on 22 January 1980. Passionate about music from childhood, he took his first piano lessons at seven. In the late 1990s, captivated by electronic music, he saved during secondary school to buy his first studio equipment: a synthesizer, a sampler, an Atari computer and a small mixing desk, and converted the attic of his family home into a studio — the start of his musical journey.

After high school he studied music technology at the Utrecht School Of Arts. In 2001 his debut release, On The Move, established Barthezz on the dance scene: first a huge success in the Netherlands, then a worldwide hit released on Positiva (UK), Superstar (Germany), Avex (Japan) and Ultra (United States). The track reached the Top 10 in more than ten countries, earned two nominations at the Dutch TMF Awards and sold around 150,000 copies in Germany alone.

Infected (2001), the follow-up single, enjoyed almost equal success. These hits and numerous DJ appearances (Trance Energy and Impulz in the Netherlands, Innercity in New Zealand, as well as shows in Tokyo, Barcelona, Moscow, Beirut, Warsaw and Vancouver) propelled him to the top of the dance music scene.

After a long break he began releasing new productions under his real name, Bart Claessen: Persona Non Grata was the first release on Yakuza, a new label founded by United Recordings. The undeniable smash was Playmo in the summer of 2005, widely supported by DJs and featured on many compilations. This was followed by the sought-after bootleg of Need To Feel Loved, a remix of Always And Forever on Positiva, and the long-awaited When Morning Comes.