With its two biggest party promoters gone, the scene in Kaohsiung has hit rock bottom these days and the Vinyl Word hears many veteran DJs have even “hung up their headphones.” But the change doesn’t seem totally unfavorable for everyone. At least not for Glenn aka Glenn Jr. The Kaohsiung-based American vinyl junkie used to deejay regularly but lately he’s been busy on the production front, and the result for him has been quite rewarding.
Vinyl Word: What’s new, Glenn?
Glenn Jr: I just had my third release [Tribes of Eden] come out Sept. 12. It’s got four remixes done by guys from around the world [Columbia, Mexico, Spain, and Sweden]. Dancerecords.com says this track’s genre is “progressive electro tech house,” which is funny ’cause I was planning it to be a tribal track.
My next release should be [out] sometime next month. [The] track’s name is La La La, also on MAPA Sounds. This one’s tribal all the way. Also, I was shocked to find out that a great tribal house producer, Edson Pride, agreed to remix it. This guy is one of my tribal heroes. I love the guy’s work and feel honored that he agreed to remix the track.
VW: How would you describe your sound?
GJ: “Most of my tracks are in some way or form related to tribal. I’ve just had a lot of luck with this genre. I’m not sure why; maybe ’cause I like tribal so much? But I also love working with different instruments. I like to find something different, something somewhat exotic if possible, like some percussive instrument from India, a crazy-sounding horn from China or whatever. Add an exotic voice to that and I’m happy! And what genre will allow you to use all these? — tribal!
VW: How did you get into producing?
GJ: “I didn’t’ really start until two years ago I guess. I can thank Kaohsiung’s Syntax Error [now back home in Toronto] for getting me into it. He was making tracks and influenced me to start. Back then, the deejaying was doing pretty well for me, so I didn’t put so much time into it. But after Syntax Error left, and later Rob Solo, [formerly Kaohsiung’s other main party promoter] I found I had a lot more free time on my hands, so I jumped fully into producing.
VW: When is your next gig?
GJ: I am teaming together with Stingray and R-min for a new series of monthly parties. We’re going to do a weekly [Saturday] event for the month of November, on the 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th at a place called Dizzy. Basically trying to start up something in Kaohsiung. Try to get some of the younger crowd exposed to electronic music, since there seems to be a generation gap. It’ll be kind of like underground parties, and the music will be for people who like electronic music. Definitely nothing commercial or even resembling commercial dance music will be played.
Dizzy is at 170-6 Szuwei 4th Rd, Lingya Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市苓雅區四維四路170-6號). NT$150 entry.
On the Net: www.djglenn.com.tw; www.reverbnation.com/djglenn
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