Hey DJ! Friday Q&A: DJ Galen
By Jennifer Maerz in Q&A
Fri., Jul. 3 2009 @ 6:36AM
Who doesn't love sunsets, right? Especially in San Francisco, where things take on a pastel hue no matter the season. DJ Galen seems to dig sunsets a little more than most: he's planned huge parties for the past 15 years aimed, in part, at watching the sun go down and the dancefloor temperature rise. Whether he's promoting parties on hills, boats, or at regular old clubs, his Pacificsound crew's gained lots of Sunset worshipers over the years.
For 4th of July, Galen helps host Sunset Independance, a waterfront party at Jelly's with Detroit super duo Octave One. Festivities start at 4 p.m. and last long after the stars and fireworks shoot across the sky.
Name: DJ Galen (Galen Abbott)
Club night(s): Pacificsound Events/Sunset Parties
Style(s) of music you spin: Free-Form, Underground, Deep, Tech, Moody, Soulful, Acidic House
So what's your story, in 100 words or less? I founded the SUNSET party and the Pacific Sound System (now Pacificsound) in the Spring of 1994 with a vision of a free party with a down to earth vibe while also developing my burgeoning DJ career. Now with two partners, Solar & J-Bird, we produce many differing events, including the SUNSET Boat Party on the San Francisco Bay.
I have DJ'd around the world and alongside countless renowned artists. In 2004, I graduated from San Francisco State University, with an Electronic Music/Business Management degree. I have been producing dance music since 2000, and in 2007 I partnered with then rising star Claude VonStroke of Dirtybird Records to remix 'Jam on It' by 80's sensation Nucleus. I also released my first debut solo EP, Playing Games on Utensil Recordings, with remixes by Claude VonStroke and Rob Mello.
Name of a track you can't get out of your head: Slick Rick -"Children's Story"
Name of an artist you're currently championing in your DJ sets: Motor City Drum Ensemble
Since you've promoted countless Sunset parties, what's your best memory of watching the sun go down? That's tough since we have had so many amazing times over the years. But one that stands the tests of time is our 3rd year Season Opener at Pt. Molate in Richmond. This was a park on the water by the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge that had great views of Marin and magical sunsets. It was a particularly warm and balmy day/evening with a couple thousand people strong, dancing away. As the sun went down there was an eclipse of the moon on one side of the sky and the Hale-Bopp comet zooming along on the other. We rocked three decks and DJ'd into the night.
Where did you once host a party you'd never get away with throwing now? The Eucalytpus Grove in the Golden Gate National Recreation area above the Cliff House. We had to move our Sunset Party because we lost our previous location. Not sure why we thought we could get away with it here but we did. The rangers came by, they were surprisingly nice, and said to stop by dark. There was about 500 people dancing til the sunset.
Musical mantra: "Let me see your booty shake..uh huh"
Favorite DJ experience: I love DJing in different cities around the world but there's nothing like playing a SUNSET party, outside, with your friends, and the San Francisco/Northern California vibe around you.
Worst request: I'd say one i just laugh at is when a clueless partygoer feels the urge to make a request. It goes something like this:
Me: (DJing, playing house music)
Clueless: (Waves at me and says:) "Excuse me...excuse me."
Me: "Yes?"
Clueless: "Could you play some house music?"
Me: (Giving a blank stare back to partygoer like I don't know what they are talking about...)
Worst club faux pas you've committed: I'd say the most embarrassing is when you are really rocking a great mix and once finished you pick up the needle of the tune you just mixed into. Ahh noooo...Almost every DJ i know has done this at least once. You are usually just as shocked as the dancers so I just drop the tone arm, make a guilty smile and keep on grooving.
Most treasured vinyl score: I collect classic reggae, funk, soul and disco too and have a number of gems that I love. Right now I've enjoying my mint 12" of Bananarama - "Cruel Summer" with the "Summer Dub" in the B side.
What other music-related projects are you currently working on? I have a new EP coming out on Tango Recordings called Don't Stop with remixes to follow.
What's something happening in the local music scene that should be getting more attention? The San Francisco Police Dept. and the ABC's attacks on live music venues and nightlife culture.
What elements would your fantasy club night entail? Well, I have a lot of ideas for clubs and they all depend on location. But, I would love a state of the art, indoor/outdoor venue, on the top of a tall building or hill with amazing views. However for San Francisco, if we could get a least one medium size venue, with great sound, the ability to book underground talent, to an urban crowd, in a nice comfortable environment...that would be a dream come true!
Next time we can see you spin: The SUNSET Campout 2009: 3 days of music, art, camping and swimming. More info at: going.com/sunsetcampout2009 & pacificsound.net
For 4th of July, Galen helps host Sunset Independance, a waterfront party at Jelly's with Detroit super duo Octave One. Festivities start at 4 p.m. and last long after the stars and fireworks shoot across the sky.
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Name: DJ Galen (Galen Abbott)
Club night(s): Pacificsound Events/Sunset Parties
Style(s) of music you spin: Free-Form, Underground, Deep, Tech, Moody, Soulful, Acidic House
So what's your story, in 100 words or less? I founded the SUNSET party and the Pacific Sound System (now Pacificsound) in the Spring of 1994 with a vision of a free party with a down to earth vibe while also developing my burgeoning DJ career. Now with two partners, Solar & J-Bird, we produce many differing events, including the SUNSET Boat Party on the San Francisco Bay.
I have DJ'd around the world and alongside countless renowned artists. In 2004, I graduated from San Francisco State University, with an Electronic Music/Business Management degree. I have been producing dance music since 2000, and in 2007 I partnered with then rising star Claude VonStroke of Dirtybird Records to remix 'Jam on It' by 80's sensation Nucleus. I also released my first debut solo EP, Playing Games on Utensil Recordings, with remixes by Claude VonStroke and Rob Mello.
Name of a track you can't get out of your head: Slick Rick -"Children's Story"
Name of an artist you're currently championing in your DJ sets: Motor City Drum Ensemble
Since you've promoted countless Sunset parties, what's your best memory of watching the sun go down? That's tough since we have had so many amazing times over the years. But one that stands the tests of time is our 3rd year Season Opener at Pt. Molate in Richmond. This was a park on the water by the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge that had great views of Marin and magical sunsets. It was a particularly warm and balmy day/evening with a couple thousand people strong, dancing away. As the sun went down there was an eclipse of the moon on one side of the sky and the Hale-Bopp comet zooming along on the other. We rocked three decks and DJ'd into the night.
Where did you once host a party you'd never get away with throwing now? The Eucalytpus Grove in the Golden Gate National Recreation area above the Cliff House. We had to move our Sunset Party because we lost our previous location. Not sure why we thought we could get away with it here but we did. The rangers came by, they were surprisingly nice, and said to stop by dark. There was about 500 people dancing til the sunset.
Musical mantra: "Let me see your booty shake..uh huh"
Favorite DJ experience: I love DJing in different cities around the world but there's nothing like playing a SUNSET party, outside, with your friends, and the San Francisco/Northern California vibe around you.
Worst request: I'd say one i just laugh at is when a clueless partygoer feels the urge to make a request. It goes something like this:
Me: (DJing, playing house music)
Clueless: (Waves at me and says:) "Excuse me...excuse me."
Me: "Yes?"
Clueless: "Could you play some house music?"
Me: (Giving a blank stare back to partygoer like I don't know what they are talking about...)
Worst club faux pas you've committed: I'd say the most embarrassing is when you are really rocking a great mix and once finished you pick up the needle of the tune you just mixed into. Ahh noooo...Almost every DJ i know has done this at least once. You are usually just as shocked as the dancers so I just drop the tone arm, make a guilty smile and keep on grooving.
Most treasured vinyl score: I collect classic reggae, funk, soul and disco too and have a number of gems that I love. Right now I've enjoying my mint 12" of Bananarama - "Cruel Summer" with the "Summer Dub" in the B side.
What other music-related projects are you currently working on? I have a new EP coming out on Tango Recordings called Don't Stop with remixes to follow.
What's something happening in the local music scene that should be getting more attention? The San Francisco Police Dept. and the ABC's attacks on live music venues and nightlife culture.
What elements would your fantasy club night entail? Well, I have a lot of ideas for clubs and they all depend on location. But, I would love a state of the art, indoor/outdoor venue, on the top of a tall building or hill with amazing views. However for San Francisco, if we could get a least one medium size venue, with great sound, the ability to book underground talent, to an urban crowd, in a nice comfortable environment...that would be a dream come true!
Next time we can see you spin: The SUNSET Campout 2009: 3 days of music, art, camping and swimming. More info at: going.com/sunsetcampout2009 & pacificsound.net
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