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My Interview with Glenn Morrison
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| euphoria |
It's a pleasure to speak with you Glenn. I am intrigued by your ability to juggle involvement in so many aspects of the music industry.
Thank you for the kind words, pleasure as well on my end.
At what age did you decide that you wanted be involved in the Electronic Music Business?
That's an interesting question actually for me because I've always been involved in music throughout my life. When I was 4 I started my classical piano lessons, and until the age of 14 I was competing nationally, and finished my ARCT by then (highest level possible through the Royal Conservatory of Music). So the transition for me into the electronic music world was really inevitable once I started listening to the music. Around 15 years old I started working at Release Records, so technically I suppose that would be the time I "entered" into the music industry.
Who are some of the artists that have influenced your music?
It's hard to say exactly, but everything from musicians like Mozart & Chopin to Nirvana & Pink Floyd to Notorious BIG & Mobb Deep to The Prodigy & Nine Inch Nails to Paul Oakenfold & Sasha to EDM labels like Hooj Choons & Guerilla Records. It really extends far the influences. I'm a musician so I just soak up what I love and somehow it reflects in how I perceive the musical canvas if you know what I mean?
How did you team up with Deadmau5; and how do you like working with him?
We both live close to each other here in Toronto, so it was just a matter of meeting through friends and from there a wonderful duo was born. We made some bombs last year, and a bootleg we made wound up being a real success on the international stage, aside from the originals.
As an emerging artist, how did you go about getting your tracks signed?
Well that part was never hard for me thankfully, as working at Release gave me all the contacts necessary for that stuff. At the end of the day it ultimately comes down to making bombs and tracks you love. A&R's will always come to you; good labels will always come to you, if you're making great work. The people that shamelessly self-promote themselves is just so tiring today I feel. I think they're more intrigued by the glamour of the club life then actually the music.
How did you first begin creating movie scores and music for video games?
That was actually born from working with a lot of older friends of mine who really had deep connections in that part of the industry. From there I did a lot of pro-bono work initially, just so I could show them how hardcore (or not) I was! That led to so many amazing projects thankfully, where I did tracks for Mercedes Benz, Hugo Boss, Chanel, you name it. That work I love doing so much because it really expands your mind and makes you think outside of the rigid structure that is dance music.
Which video games, and movies feature your productions?
I think the most notable one is currently in Midnight Run for the PS3 & Xbox360 gaming consoles. Then there are a couple tracks that I'm making for the next 'Diablo' game on Blizzard Entertainment (very eerie break beat material). As well I have 2 tracks on last year's fall collection for Hugo Boss, and 3 tracks on the Mercedes Benz SLK500 convertible model CD. Movie-wise, there is a Hollywood film called 'Pox' which features something on my record label.
What is the most exciting place that you have performed to date?
That is a hard question to answer because I've been truly spoiled by the places I visit! I'd have to say that Brazil is my favorite country though at the moment. I've been there around 6 times now, played over 40 shows, and each time I go there it's incredible.
You are a producer, DJ, and the CEO of Morrison Recordings. Are there any other aspects of the business that you are attempting to explore?
Yes, I've started a new company recently called ie:Morrison Agency, which is a production management agency company that looks after a handful of producers and manages their work portfolio. Currently I'm managing Robert Babicz, Bruce Aisher, Bill Hamel, Paul Keeley, Ludovic Vendi & Astrid Suryanto. The new website is amazing and will soon be up – www.iemorrison.com
What challenges did you face as you began pursuing the creation of Morrison Recordings?
I think it came down to marketing and promotion for me that was the most difficult struggle. The business side has always been easy for me; it's more so living a good and intrinsically fulfilling life that has been always a work-in-progress if you will.
Will there be any additions to the label that are worthy of mention this year?
Absolutely! We have tons of amazing vocal bombs being released this year, remixes by Bruce Aisher, Robert Babicz, Michael Cassette of tracks by Musetta & Pan. As well we have an amazing 16 Bit Lolita's remix package & Bruce Aisher's remix package of Astrid Suryanto's Distant Bar. These will undoubtedly be some of the biggest vocal bombs this year, so I'm excited for when they drop.
Who works on your team at Morrison Recordings, and how did you go about selecting the members of your staff?
I have around 4 people right now that closely work with the daily operations of the label. Andrew Mckeough is a longtime friend of mine, and he just looks after some general A&R work and daily updates on website maintenance and things. Astrid does a lot of the website graphic design and major updates – she is the aesthetic of my company. Adam Nathan was my old boss at Release Records, and he is just the man. Very wise and more for knowledge and ideas than anything else. Everyone in my team is very close to me, as I have a philosophy that I treat my business like family, and my family like business.
I hear that you plan on attending Harvard. How is that working out for you?
Fantastic, thanks. I took a deferral because initially I was supposed to go in the Fall of 08, but the music industry has been treating me so well it would be absurd to put this all on hold. If anything it looks better that I'm actually developing my businesses, and I can always go later. I'm still 22 years old, everyone that I was going to go to school with in the fall was late 20's early 30's, so I'm in no rush.
What does your tour schedule look this for this summer?
It looks lovely actually! Aside from the North American gigs this month and last, I'll be in Europe on the 12th to play in London at the Pacha for the Azuli Night. Then I fly over to Ibiza to start my residency at the Amnesia club on the 15th. Shortly after that I fly to Hungary for the Kecel Festival, then off to Asia for a couple gigs, then off to Brazil for a couple more, then back to Ibiza again for the residency. It's never-ending really, I think I'm booked up until around late September by now.
Is there anything else that you care to share with us?
Yes actually that I love so much all of the kind emails and myspace comments that I get sent on a daily basis. This means the world to me, and makes all of the hard work so worthwhile. I can't express how much it means to me, so thanks to everyone who supports me and has believed in me, it's the lifeblood of my impetus here.
Thank you for your time. I wish you the best of luck with your label, and future projects!
Thanks and take care for now! :) |
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| shaminii |
| I didn't know he was making tracks for video games. |
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| stan229 |
Did you know that if you aired this interview before last saturday that you would ruin Blizzard's big surprise of announcing Diablo :)
Woulda gotten TA a lot of fame |
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| euphoria |
| yes... I told my hubby about it an he's a huge gamer and happens to love Diablo. This WAS sent out and originally and was supposed to the posted to a mag site a few days ago but they have been busy over there and it never went up so their loss on the "fame" I suppose. So I actually just got impatient and posted this to my myspace a few days ago and then here. |
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| RoBDaWG |
| NEW DIABLO!!! YAHHHHH |
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| jsl9 |
| Glenn morrison is only 22?! insane. He sounds very mature, well beyond his years. |
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| Victor Dinaire |
| Saw him play yesterday in Miami w Armin. Did an excellent job |
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