Welcome Kenny to DMC world, you hail from Toronto in Canada, an amazing city hosting the world’s tallest building. You began your career running illegal warehouse parties in the city…what were those like?
“Not expensive for starters, definitely underground and based on music as opposed to people goin’ out to get wasted… it was a time where everything was new, where house music was new and everyone just wanted to be a part of it. It felt more like you were a member of an exclusive club…made for a really special vibe…”
‘Taste For The Low Life’ your debut album out in May, electronic madness – talk us through it…
“The album really encompasses everything I’ve been influenced by over the last 20 years of listening to and playing music. It’s definitely more on a Techy/House tip. There’s everything from The Beatless tracks with piano solo’s to bassline driven house cuts with vocal samples, it’s really just a true expression of where I’m at musically after two decades in the business. I’m really happy that it’s coming out on a home grown Toronto label No.19 Music, and everyone involved seems to be really excited and pleased with how it turned out.”
Tell us about JMK – your early trio DJ act…
“JMK consisted of Jeremy Beckman, Mike Sitchon and yours truly. That whole thing came together really organically, the three of us just had the same taste in music which at the time was Deep House & garage. because we were really young (18/19 years old) and just starting out we weren’t being hired as often as other dj’s so we were left no choice but to do our own parties… and so began the “family tree” parties.”
You have had residencies at some of the biggest clubs in Toronto – such as the after-hours Buzz and Industry (one of the biggest clubs ever where you played with Daft Punk, Tenaglia and Basement Jaxx) – what nights stand out from your nights packing out the city’s clubs?
“Jeff Mills at Industry in ’98 during one of the worst snow storms I’ve ever witnessed in Toronto… I was fortunate enough to close for him that night/morning and the energy in the club was just electric. Something about Canadians when there’s a bad snowstorm, we tend to go a bit crazy.”
How important has been Tiga Sontag, Turbo Recording’s label manager to your career?
“Vital. He put a lot of faith in me when he asked me to record the Toronto Mix Sessions compilation for Turbo. Being the only artist from Toronto to have ever done anything on the label opened a lot of doors for me and he was kind enough to promote me through the label which allowed for some very extensive touring.”
Your production work is legendary. Kicking it off in the early 90s working with Noel Nanton for Jinx Records, work for Roger Sanchez’s Narcotic label, recording as part of Method Men and Unabomber and remixing for the likes of Strictly Rhythm, Azuli and Manifesto – what do you think has been your best personal release and best remix?
“I would have to say aside from the upcoming album, it would have to be the recent remix of Jonny White’s ‘Dominatrix’ that was released in January of this year. there are other’s I really liked at the time they were released like ‘Disco Biscuit’ on 83 West but the more recent work I’m doing runs much deeper for me.”
Disco, Garage, Electronica and House – all synonymous with your sound. But what were the artists/albums you grew up listening to… who influenced you?
“This is a tough one… I’ve been around for a while now. I’m influenced by all kinds of stuff right across the board…if I were to just list a few off the top of my head….for house, Masters At Work for sure…for Techno, Richy Hawtin for sure..and everything quality in between.”
What artist would you want to remix/produce with that you haven’t so far?
“That’s almost too broad a question. There are so many talented guys who I would love to work with. I’m working with a lot of Toronto artists right now, like Jonny White and the rest of the No.19 crew. Aside from that, I guess it would be cool to work with someone from the oldschool or anyone who would be considered a pioneer in their genre…”
What are the big 10 tunes in your box right now?
“I’m not one to spoil the surprise for any reader who might also be at an upcoming show. But I can tell you my record bag, and it is an actual bag full of records spans the last 20 years of great music.”
You’ve spun the world…what has been the best club you’ve played at ever?
“FOOD in Belgium with Richy Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Dave Clark and Green Velvet takes the cake….doesn’t get any better.”
What other Canadian DJs do you rate?
“Well there’s the obvious… Richy Hawtin, John Aquviva, Nick Holder and old friends like Peter and Tyrone who I grew up listening to. Then there’s who I consider to be the new wave of proper talent representing Canada now. Guys like Jonny White are leading the way in letting the world know that we’ve still got a real underground and quality producers and DJ’s coming out of the North. All the artists on the No.19 label like James Teej, Nitin, Carlo Lio, Teeloo, Adam Marshall. Then there’s also guys who have picked up and moved out to Berlin but to me remain representatives of Toronto, Jeremy P Caulfield, Mike Shannon, Jeff Milligan and the Wagon repair crew.”
What is next for Kenny Glasgow in 2009?
“Working on a Logan Six album! You can get a taste of what that should sound like listening to Logan Six feat Kenny Glasgow – ‘Can You Feel’ on the ‘Taste For The Low Life’ album in May. I’ll also be doing something for the My Favorite Robot label along with other remixes for No.19 along the way.”
Taste For The Low Life is out May 18th on No.19 Music.
