In this episode of Industry Pets, I sit down with Bill Bartke-Croughan, the creator of the Dog Paw, a unique grid-based instrument featuring weighted keys, designed for expressive, hands-on music-making.
While Dog Paw may sound like something pulled from a pet shop, it’s actually a powerful, purpose-built musical instrument. The name itself is a tribute to Bill’s beloved American Bulldog, Hugo, whose presence and spirit helped inspire the name, a small personal detail behind an otherwise serious piece of gear.
Bill Bartke-Croughan and Hugo!
Dog Paw isn’t just visually distinct, it offers an innovative playing experience with weighted, velocity-sensitive keys and a layout that encourages tactile experimentation. It’s built to feel musical, responsive, and completely fresh for producers, performers, and sound designers alike.
The Dog Paw Instrument
Beyond Bill and Hugo, this episode also shines a light on something close to Bill’s heart: Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services. As our charity highlight, this organization supports the animals and adopters of Berkeley’s municipal shelter , providing supplies, outreach, and essential care for pets in need.
Learn more or support them here
For even more on Dog Paw’s creation and evolution, check out my article on AltWire, where I share the story of how Bill met Trevor , the other half of the Dog Paw team, and how their friendship and shared vision turned a spark of inspiration into a fully realized musical instrument:
Read the full AltWire article here
Bill’s story is a great reminder that even the most forward-thinking instruments can be rooted in deeply personal inspiration. Dog Paw may carry Hugo’s legacy in name, but it’s earning respect in studios and on stages all on its own.
For more information, visit Dog Paw Kickstarter page, get.dogpawmusic.com, and follow them on Instagram @dogpawmusic.