Last Sigh: You've already shown the world how much of a musical genius you are and have proved yourself to be an exemplary artist by creating your own record covers, do you have any other talents that you've got hiding up your sleeve?

Claus: Hmmm, well, I have an obsession. I collect fossils and stoneage tools.

Last Sigh: How and why did you start collecting fossils and stoneage tools? Tell us about some of the things you have in your collection.

Claus: As a kid, I actually discovered a stoneage burial site, and found fishing hooks in bone, flint axes and part of a skull. That started my interest in archeology. The fossil thing came later. I never really found any rare fossils but it's great fun, and it really takes my mind off things.

Last Sigh: I am aware that it is a dream of yours to create soundtracks for movies. What types of movies would you like to produce music for and have you come any closer to fulfilling your dream yet? Do you have any favourite film makers/producers? If so, who might they be and why?

Claus: I'm not really a Movie freak, at least not as much as I used to be. But I still hope for a chance to do a soundtrack for one. I would prefer it to be some sort of "dark side of the human mind" type of movie. My favourite Producer at the moment is Lars Von Trier.

Last Sigh: What movies has Lars Von Trier produced?

Claus: Europa, The Element of Crime, Breaking the Waves and The Kingdom. I know that you can get the videos in the States, at least I saw them the last time I was in LA.

Last Sigh: You have surprised your audiences in the past with dramatic changes in musical direction (eg. Serenade for the Dead). Could you let us in on the future of Leæther Strip and whether or not fans should expect something out of the ordinary relative to past releases?

Claus: I don't really know in what direction I'll be heading. The first couple of songs I've done for the next album are somewhat melodic, but that can change fast, so you'll have to wait and see. With all the label trouble I've had the past year, I have some aggression to get rid of [laughs].

Last Sigh: You have cited Dead Can Dance as one of your favorite bands. Do you see yourself using ethnic influences within your music or would you ever consider using ethnic or cultural instruments with Leæther Strip? If so, what would they be?

Claus: Now you just gave me an idea for a new track, THANKS! I did use a couple of ethnic sounds on "Serenade for the dead", and I probably will again if the right song pops up.

Last Sigh: Have you gotten any feedback from Marc Almond regarding 'Anal Cabaret' (SoftCell Tribute EP)? Or from The Cure with your cover of 'Lullabye?' If so, were they "pleased" or?

Claus: I found out that Marc is a real bitch!! He won't give me his home address, so I told him that if he wanted to listen to the EP, he would have to buy his own copy. I've also tried to get a hold of Dave Ball, but he was away doing some producing for some pop band. Cure hasn't responded either. The only feedback I got was from D. Gillmore (Pink Floyd). He really liked the version I did of "Learning to Fly". Imagine getting an e-mail from that man. Wooof!

Last Sigh: I think that your cover of 'Testure' is incredible. Why did you choose 'Testure' in particular and what sort of impact, if any, did Skinny Puppy have on your musical career?

Claus: Thanks. I don't know how much Skinny Puppy has done for my musical career. Probably some, but I heard my first Skinny song  in 89. But "Testure" is for me one of the best songs ever written, so it was a bit nerve wracking for me to cover it. Skinny Puppy was an amazing band!

Last Sigh: If you could work in the studio with ONE person in the music industry to make a track, whom would that be and why?

Claus: This may seem a bit far out, but I had a dream some months ago. I was in a studio somewhere in London, and suddenly Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) walks in and asks me to join his band. And I said "Yes," [laughs]. No, I'd have to say Marc Almond, even though he's a bitch.

Last Sigh: What is your stance in regards to people within the internet community using artist's music in the MP3 format and bootlegging tracks or even entire CDs? Do you see it becoming a big problem in the future?

Claus: Not for me anyway. If I was Trent Reznor or Madonna I would have a problem. I think that Mp3 is God's gift to all types of "underground" music, and the listeners of my type of music know that it's important that they support the scene by paying for the releases.

Last Sigh: http://www.leaetherstrip.com is without a doubt one of the most outstanding artist/band websites I have ever come across. How did you and the Webmaster Keith DuFresne manage to get together to work on it?

Claus: Last year I finally got hooked up the net. I did a search on Leæther Strip, and found Keith's site. It was great! I e-mailed him to thank him, and asked if he was interested in doing the "Official" web site, he was. Keith is amazing, I owe him big time!!

Last Sigh: With the nasty split from Cleopatra Records and other mishaps with people and organizations within the industry, how has this changed your view on the music industry as a whole and how has it affected the way you deal with people in the business? Are you any more or less "leary" of labels now?

Claus: OH man, I learned about the infected side of the industry years ago.  The problem with Cleopatra was that I didn't have a contract with them. Music Research had/has a licence deal, and that gave us major communication problems. Also, Cleopatra isn't really the label for me anymore. They are moving away from "Industrial" putting more energy into the "Dance" and "re-release" stuff. Metropolis is dedicated to my kind of music, so I have big hopes for this new relationship.

Last Sigh: With all your experience in the music business, do you have any advice for musicians starting out -- about getting signed, labels or production?

Claus: Just follow your heart. You'll get a kick where it hurts once in a while, but you'll sleep better.

Last Sigh: You have said in the past that you wish to start up your own record label but have 'chickened out.'  What exactly is holding you back and if it does transpire, what would its main goals be?

Claus: Knowing how much time I'd have to use on a label, I'm afraid that it will take away time from writing songs. And I'm not willing to do that just yet. I have a lot more to offer. Maybe later, cause I would love to help new talent get a chance to be heard.

Last Sigh: Where do you see yourself in the 21st Century and what do you think you will be doing? Do you have any "goals" for year 2000 for your music?

Claus: I don't have the guts to think that far ahead. I just want to be around, and hopefully still being able to write songs and release them.

Last Sigh: I found a quote of yours from a previous interview rather nteresting:|

"Religion is for me like an uncontrollable and fatal illness, it's killing us slowly but surely."

Would you care to expand on that? Do you have a sense of sprituality in your life?

Claus: I said that, wow, it sounds really intelligent. Spirituality is a painkiller, and sometimes we hurt.

Last Sigh: What is life like in general living in your town Vegger in Denmark with a population of only 250? Does living out there inspire your music in any way?

Claus: I love it here, I want to live here forever. It's never boring, well if you think that nature is boring it is, but I love it. I normally use 2-3 hours in the studio, then I take Ras the dog for a walk in the forest, and then back to the studio. Then Kurt [Claus' Fiance] comes home, and I spend the evening with him, until he has to go to bed. Then I surf the net for a few hours before bedtime. To some this sound's REALLY boring, but I do my best thinking where it's quiet and open. Sure I like the noise of the city, but only for a week at a time.

Last Sigh: What would you do on a day off that would be completely void of working on music?

Claus: Go fishing or shopping for CD's.

Last Sigh: Is there anything else you would like to add that hasn't been covered? Anything specifically you might like to express to your fans at this point in time?

Claus: Only that I still feel honoured that so many of you are still interested in an old fart like me. I can't tell you how much that means!!! And Ric L. I hope you choke on something.

Last Sigh: And lastly but most importantly, if you eat peanut butter, do you prefer *crunchy* or *smooth*?

Claus: Smooooth, like Kurt......

Last Sigh: Thank you so much! It has been both an honor and a pleasure to work with you Claus. Also a big thanks goes out to Alexander [Somnambulist], Pippi Longstocking, and Keith DuFresne.