Rhythmism.comQ&A With DJ GARTH (Sullivan Room, Saturday, December 17th)
by sleepy&boo
Tuesday, Dec 13th 2005, 04:48 PM
San Francisco's house music scene will forever be connected to the heady days of the mid-90s. It was a special time for partying, when the city's sound was defined by Full Moon all-nighters on deserted coves, nasty afterhours jams, and the unique fusion of deep house, breaks and classics that DJ Garth and his Wicked Crew cronies were spreading up and down the West Coast.
Those carefree days may be long gone now, but Garth hasn't hung up his turntables yet. Musically, he's even more of a trailblazer these days, heading up the hugely influential Grayhound Recordings label and working prolifically as a producer and remixer. He still draws a loyal following for his all-inclusive DJ sets, and he'll return to the Sullivan Room on Saturday, December 17th to show the crowd how it's done, SF-style. In anticipation of the night, Sleepy&Boo caught up with Garth to see where he's at musically these days and to get his thoughts on the revered "San Francisco scene."
You're probably best known for your role as one of the founding members of the Wicked Crew. You had such a great run together - why did you guys decide to put Wicked to bed finally?
You know when it's time. Thirteen years was a fitting number to end on. we had come full circle. There are 13 lunar cycles each year, so no sense in messing up the numerology.
Anyone who was at those infamous Full Moon parties still talks about them today. Is there one party that really stands out to you? Any particularly memorable jams?
The first-year anniversary at Grey Whale Cove was one of my favorites. We scored an immaculate beach, the moon was hanging out over the ocean like one of those over-the-top Biblical paintings, and we were surrounded by real friends and family. I knew then we'd have a long run because it was just catalytic.
From your perspective, what's the scene in San Francisco like these days? Did you have a hand in the recent Love Parade at all?
There's a solid underground thanks to certain folks keeping it real, but for the most part it's predictable lounge/club fodder. But then there's Burning Man and the freakfest that that inspires. San Francisco will always share a bed with counter-culture. I played an after party for the Love Parade. That was close enough for me.
You've still got a lot of fans hounding you for the old mixtapes you
released. How many requests do you get for them? Do you ever listen to the old tapes?
I get about 5-10 [requests] a month and always send them what they're after right away. I still get a kick listening to some of the old recordings. Not just mine, but Jeno, Thomas, Harvey...the music and the parties were unbelievably inspired.
Congrats to you and all the Grayhound artists on the recent 50th release. Where do you now envision the label heading? What are you hoping to accomplish as a label owner?
Obviously there'll be more online sales in the digital format - that's a
whole new nut to crack. But I'll keep releasing limited vinyl pressing for the connoisseurs, though it is getting harder to justify it. We have some albums in the pipeline. (see below...)
What's been the biggest challenge about running a label as diverse,
soundwise, as Grayhound?
I realized early on you can't please everybody all the time. So my criteria is basically 'do i dig it?'
Are there any of your own new productions or remixes on the horizon anytime soon? What's on your plate for 2006 so far?
My third mix of the Grayhound catalogue is called 'Unleash the Hound' and comes out in Spring 2006. Then there'll be a dub/downtempo album featuring more of the experimental music that's only been available on vinyl until now, and select remixes I've been involved with that complement the theme. After making 40-odd records I took some time out from the studio and am getting back in to it now with a remix for the Glimmers.
With tracks like "The Price", Grayhound has been one of the few "dance" labels to tackle something more serious than just the pursuit of pleasure. Do you think house culture should be more politically minded?
I could certainly do more. We all could. If we don't stand up and say something, who will give a shit? We know the world's fucked up. This is our medium. Use it or lose it. I have a song '7 Days Without Kayan' on Om/NextAid's 'reboot' compilation. It's a worthy project; all the music was donated to help African kids orphaned by aids.
Musically, your sound has evolved a bit over the last few years: you used to be known primarily for pure house sets, but you've definitely added a bit more styles to the mix. How do you approach your DJ sets these days? Any particular sounds you're really feeling lately?
I can't be falling asleep at the wheel. Incorporating great dance music from the last 30 years is way more fun these days, and with some of the envelope-stretching shizzle out right now by Maurice Fulton, Lindstrom, Idjuts, Emperor Machine, Rub-n-tug, the Glimmers, DFA, Weatherall, etc. the disco ball is ship-shape. I consider myself a house jock, but for me it's just a tempo so anything goes. All's fair in love and war.
You're still a vinyl purist when it comes to DJing. Do you ever see yourself incorporating CDs to your DJing arsenal?
Hell no! CDs are for your mum.
DJ GARTH @ SULLIVAN ROOM
SATURDAY DECEMBER 17TH
FOR MORE INFO, CLICK HERE
Those carefree days may be long gone now, but Garth hasn't hung up his turntables yet. Musically, he's even more of a trailblazer these days, heading up the hugely influential Grayhound Recordings label and working prolifically as a producer and remixer. He still draws a loyal following for his all-inclusive DJ sets, and he'll return to the Sullivan Room on Saturday, December 17th to show the crowd how it's done, SF-style. In anticipation of the night, Sleepy&Boo caught up with Garth to see where he's at musically these days and to get his thoughts on the revered "San Francisco scene."
You're probably best known for your role as one of the founding members of the Wicked Crew. You had such a great run together - why did you guys decide to put Wicked to bed finally?
You know when it's time. Thirteen years was a fitting number to end on. we had come full circle. There are 13 lunar cycles each year, so no sense in messing up the numerology.
Anyone who was at those infamous Full Moon parties still talks about them today. Is there one party that really stands out to you? Any particularly memorable jams?
The first-year anniversary at Grey Whale Cove was one of my favorites. We scored an immaculate beach, the moon was hanging out over the ocean like one of those over-the-top Biblical paintings, and we were surrounded by real friends and family. I knew then we'd have a long run because it was just catalytic.
From your perspective, what's the scene in San Francisco like these days? Did you have a hand in the recent Love Parade at all?
There's a solid underground thanks to certain folks keeping it real, but for the most part it's predictable lounge/club fodder. But then there's Burning Man and the freakfest that that inspires. San Francisco will always share a bed with counter-culture. I played an after party for the Love Parade. That was close enough for me.
You've still got a lot of fans hounding you for the old mixtapes you
released. How many requests do you get for them? Do you ever listen to the old tapes?
I get about 5-10 [requests] a month and always send them what they're after right away. I still get a kick listening to some of the old recordings. Not just mine, but Jeno, Thomas, Harvey...the music and the parties were unbelievably inspired.
Congrats to you and all the Grayhound artists on the recent 50th release. Where do you now envision the label heading? What are you hoping to accomplish as a label owner?
Obviously there'll be more online sales in the digital format - that's a
whole new nut to crack. But I'll keep releasing limited vinyl pressing for the connoisseurs, though it is getting harder to justify it. We have some albums in the pipeline. (see below...)
What's been the biggest challenge about running a label as diverse,
soundwise, as Grayhound?
I realized early on you can't please everybody all the time. So my criteria is basically 'do i dig it?'
Are there any of your own new productions or remixes on the horizon anytime soon? What's on your plate for 2006 so far?
My third mix of the Grayhound catalogue is called 'Unleash the Hound' and comes out in Spring 2006. Then there'll be a dub/downtempo album featuring more of the experimental music that's only been available on vinyl until now, and select remixes I've been involved with that complement the theme. After making 40-odd records I took some time out from the studio and am getting back in to it now with a remix for the Glimmers.
With tracks like "The Price", Grayhound has been one of the few "dance" labels to tackle something more serious than just the pursuit of pleasure. Do you think house culture should be more politically minded?
I could certainly do more. We all could. If we don't stand up and say something, who will give a shit? We know the world's fucked up. This is our medium. Use it or lose it. I have a song '7 Days Without Kayan' on Om/NextAid's 'reboot' compilation. It's a worthy project; all the music was donated to help African kids orphaned by aids.
Musically, your sound has evolved a bit over the last few years: you used to be known primarily for pure house sets, but you've definitely added a bit more styles to the mix. How do you approach your DJ sets these days? Any particular sounds you're really feeling lately?
I can't be falling asleep at the wheel. Incorporating great dance music from the last 30 years is way more fun these days, and with some of the envelope-stretching shizzle out right now by Maurice Fulton, Lindstrom, Idjuts, Emperor Machine, Rub-n-tug, the Glimmers, DFA, Weatherall, etc. the disco ball is ship-shape. I consider myself a house jock, but for me it's just a tempo so anything goes. All's fair in love and war.
You're still a vinyl purist when it comes to DJing. Do you ever see yourself incorporating CDs to your DJing arsenal?
Hell no! CDs are for your mum.
DJ GARTH @ SULLIVAN ROOM
SATURDAY DECEMBER 17TH
FOR MORE INFO, CLICK HERE
