Words: Miljan Milekić
Gil Glaze may not be the most obvious choice for an interview on our website, but don’t worry, he’s one of us. Melodic deep house producer from Zürich, Switzerland is known for his crazy sets, but also for his love for extreme sports. Snowboarder and mountain biker himself, he knows to provide the perfect soundtrack for both powder and dirt. So, we decided to catch up with him and see what’s he all about.
Hi Gil! First of all – you just came back from your shows in NYC and Boston. How was it?
Gil: It was amazing! I organized this tour last minute as I did not plan to go to Miami Music Week until I received some bookings. Since I was already going to the US, I quickly hit up some of my residencies to make a quick stop in New York and Boston.
I know this is a kinda boring thing to ask the artist, but as our website mostly focuses on extreme sports, punk rock, and underground electronic music, can you tell our readers more about yourself?
Gil: Sure! I am 24 years old and currently live in Zürich, Switzerland. I produce melodic deep house and tour frequently in Europe and America. I’ve done a couple of remixes for major labels and one which I did for The Chainsmokers hit 2.5 million streams on Spotify. I also got to join them on their recent Australia tour!
To be honest, I haven’t heard of many electronic artists from Switzerland. Can you tell me more about the scene in your country?
Gil: It’s quite a funny scene over there. You either have hip-hop clubs or underground/techno clubs. We have a lot of DJs, but not many of them made it internationally. The most well-known ones would be Luciano, EDX, Nora En Pure, DJ Antoine, and Remedy. Zürich, the city where I was born and raised has a very competitive scene, so DJs don’t really like to work with each other or help build one another!
Your career is not a typical one. Early on you went to Scratch Academy in New York and LA. How much did the experience help you to know music is your thing, and to pursue your career?
Gil: Quite funny because little do people know I started on turntables. Scratch Academy was amazing since I got to learn a lot of the skills behind DJing and was focused on being a “DJ.” I always knew music was my thing, but I was terrible at playing instruments and I never knew how to express my love for it. I started promoting nightclubs in Zürich and that’s when I discovered the guy behind the booth playing music! That was the point I enrolled at Scratch Academy.
How would you describe your music, and who are your biggest influences? Saying you play deep house would be easy, but your music is much more. How do you keep finding the balance between a big, commercial sound, and the urban, underground edge your music has?
Gil: My music is melodic deep house/future house. I always love to include a piano in my music to give it that emotional and melodic vibe. My biggest influences are Steve Angello, Don Diablo and lately, I love what San Holo has been putting out!
Music is not your only passion, I have the information you are really passionate about winter sports and biking. Being from Switzerland, a country with amazing nature, do you think it’s a good way to embrace it the right way?
Gil: It’s funny because when I lived in New York, for 5 years it was all about going to the gym (Equinox). When I returned to Switzerland I realized we are not really a big “indoor gym” country and rather enjoy being outdoors! That’s when I started to go mountain biking at least once in two days. Last summer, I did a 7-8 hour ride from Zürich – Chur. This summer I plan on riding up the Julier-pass. As for snowboarding, I’ve always loved it – been riding the most of this season as the snow in Switzerland has been the best this year.
How do you find the balance between making music, playing shows, and sports? Have you ever thought about taking biking or snowboarding to the next level?
Gil: (laughs) No, I just do it for fun! Would never think about going professional as I am not much the “Daredevil” type.
What’s in your headphones while you’re riding?
Gil: When I am snowboarding I have been listening to a lot of future bass/hip hop for some reason. When I am bike riding I love listening to Nora En Pure’s ‘Purified Radio.’
With music and extreme sports being closely connected, can you see yourself playing at events like Snowbombing, X Games, or Air + Style in the future?
Gil: Would love to! I saw X Games on Youtube and the shows look insane as well as the production they pull off!
A month or two ago, Red Bull and their biker Max Stöckl made an amazing project where he went down the World Cup Ski Course in Hahnenkamm, reaching the speed of 106km/h on a downhill MTB. Did you see it, and would it take for you to try something like that?
Gil: Something that I’ll never understand is how those guys can do that! Mad respect to them, as you couldn’t pay me anything to do that! (laughs)
Follow Gil Glaze:
Website: gilglaze.com
Facebook: facebook.com/GilGlaze
Instagram: instagram.com/gilglazemusic
Twitter: twitter.com/gilglazemusic