DJ Max Glazer

Scratch: When and how did you get into DJ'ing?

MG: I basically got into DJ’ing as a hobby. I have a very short attention span and could never listen through an entire album, so I figured this way, I could just play/listen to whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. It wasn't really a conscious decision to become a DJ until much later, and by then, it wasn't even really a decision, because I was already DJ’ing for a living.

Scratch: How old were you when you started?

MG: I was around 16 when I first started DJ'ing.

Scratch: How did you learn?

MG: I didn't know any other DJs so it was hard getting started out…wasn't really anyone to learn from. I just sort of had to make it up as I went— trial and error.

Scratch: Did you go to shows?

MG: Well, I grew up in upstate NY and there weren't any shows to go to. Every once in a while I'd get into the city and check shows, but it was rare.

Scratch: What did you do to get better?

MG: Just really practicing in the bedroom, then a house party here and there. Like I said, never took it seriously until I was a good deal older and had moved to the city. It was then that I took any opportunity to DJ anytime, anywhere that I could. I really learned how to be a club DJ by opening up for Doo Wop. I learned a lot from watching how he rocked a crowd. At the same time I started going to a lot of clubs, listening to Funkmaster Flex, S & S, Clark Kent—that generation of DJs who could really rock a crowd.

Scratch: Speaking of playing in the city, what are your favorite spots to play?

MG: I mean, over the years, I've always loved playing at Speeed, because it’s just real grimy—no dress code and people are really there to party. Everything else is not so much spots, as specific parties. Spa on Tuesday nights was one of those parties that I used to love DJ'ing.

Scratch: How much do you feed off the crowd when you're playing?

MG: 100%. For me, as a club DJ, it's all about the crowd. Not what I wanna hear or what my boys wanna hear. It's all about the people in the crowd having a good time, and being able to figure out what you can play that's gonna make them have the best time possible.

Scratch: How about worldwide? I know you've toured all over. Any favorite spots around the globe?

MG: Yeah, I love playing in Jamaica... the vibe and the energy down there is crazy. It's also a challenge, because the crowds down there are tough on the DJs. London is great and Japan is always off the hook.

Scratch: Having been in the DJ game for years, what would you tell people who are just getting into this art form?

MG: First off, you really have to be doing it because you love music and love DJ'ing because it's not all fun and games. It's a great job, but it's a lot of work—late nights, no sleep, a lot of carrying crates. If you really love it, you just gotta get out there and make connections. It's really political, so you have to know the right people or you're not gonna get much work…and of course, be on point with the skills—that's a given, but that's definitely not all it takes.

Scratch: In the past, you've written for magazines like The Source and Vibe. What else do you do outside of DJ'ing?

MG: I've pretty much retired from writing, but aside from DJ'ing, I do A&R for Sequence, an indie label. I'm learning a lot of the business side of things—publishing, licensing, etc. I've also been working on production with my federation crew—Disco D, Kenny Meez and Curly Locks. Me, Disco D, and Cipha Sounds produced a remix of Pharell and Jay-Z's "Frontin" which featured Vybz Kartel and Wayne Marshall. We've done a lot of underground dancehall remixes, so we're working on crossing that over into the mainstream.

Scratch: Has your work been well received?

MG: Yeah, we've gotten nothing but good feedback on all of the stuff, so now just trying to make the move into some original productions, even some songwriting.

Scratch: Seems like the natural next step for many accomplished DJs like yourself.

MG: Yeah, I mean, I never wanna stop DJ'ing, because I love it but at the same time, gotta diversify, as long as you enjoy it.

Scratch:Do you have a website? How can people get more info about what you are doing?

MG: www.djmaxglazer.com