We spoke to Glasgow artist Frazi.er about the Glaswegian techno scene, SYMBØL, and touring.
Glasgow has always been a city for music lovers. Voted the UK’s top cultural and creative centre, the green glen is known as a haven for music events. In the early 19th century, more dance halls existed here than anywhere else in the UK. The cities’ love for the live venue seems to have continued into the 20th century too. Karl Whitney, writer of Hit Factories: A Journey Through the Industrial Cities of British Pop, explained that Glasgow’s thriving music scene is due to its many small-medium sized venues.
The techno scene has been no different in this respect. In the late ’80s, seminal techno group SLAM held an event at the 200-cap venue Tin Pan Alley. From there, the scene began to grow due to Scotland’s relaxed licensing laws. This allowed venues such as Sub Club, The Arches, and others to grow. A combination of relaxed licensing laws, record stores, and a love of promoting local talent made Glasgow an ideal breeding ground for musicians. Artists such as SLAM, Harri & Dominic, Sophie, Jasper James, and Kode 9 all came through Glasgow’s fertile music scene.
Frazi.er, like those before him, has also become a standout name in UK music. He has released on premier techno labels such as Second State, Sleaze Records, and Detroit’s Motech Records. He has also become a regular feature of the influential techno collective EXHALE, and has performed at Terminal V, Riverside Festival and Teletech to name a few.
This love for the small-medium sized venue is encapsulated by Frazi.er too. His current residency at SYMBØL, a 200-cap venue on Sauchiehall St is evidence of this. Much like the venues mentioned in Karl Whitney’s article on the Glasgow music scene, Frazi.er’s plans for the venue are to showcase underground nights, push local talent, and bring a solid focus back to clubbing and the music. It seems that despite the differences in genre, there is an unwritten and unspoken agreement in the Glasgow music scene to push itself forward, and artists like Frazi.er plan on continuing the tradition.
You recently hosted your CONCEPT event at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on NYE. How does it feel when you see how successful these events have become?
It’s amazing to see the coverage and exposure it’s picked up globally, that’s what I found the craziest. The first one got a special shout out in parliament too which was mad.
Do you have any advice for the aspiring promoters out there? Is there anything that you wish you knew before you started?
Just stay true to your sound and vision. Everyone is so obsessed over jumping on trends and are in it for the self-success. Nothing happens overnight, and if it did you wouldn’t be ready to grow properly.
As someone who has worked their way through the ranks of the Glaswegian techno scene, how does it feel to know you will be sharing the stage with SLAM?
This is massive for me. Growing up we always went to the famous Slam tent and the parties they used to run. They are the masterminds behind Soma Records and have evolved through generations, so I’m really looking forward to this. I actually think we both play a sound that will work well together. You can expect some high energy grooves with a lot of power!
Talk to us about SYMBØL. What are your plans for the space and why should people care about it?
SYMBØL is 200 cap basement club which will be a great hub for the city. It will be great to showcase some underground nights but also push local talent as well. People should care about it because we are putting a solid focus back on the clubbing element and the music. It’s not just about going to an event because it’s hyped or trending.
The electronic music scene in Scotland has always been a strong one. Who are some emerging artists that we need to look out for?
Yes 100%. I think OUTFLIGHT are still so underrated. They’ve been pushing an underground groove sound for a while, and now that this sound is starting to get more hyped it should help them grow. I always love to see people caring to be artists and not just DJs. E.dn & Kabay are great talents too, check them out if you’re not familiar.
You have done a lot of gigs over the years. Where is the best place you have performed and why was it special?
It’s hard to narrow it down. The Hydro is unmatched with the buildup and workload that goes into it, but playing in Seoul and Singapore was amazing. they’re both on the other side of the world with a proper strong community that knows their music!
What other projects are you working on for the coming year for fans to get excited about?
I will at some point launch a LIVE set or alias focused more on Detroit/dancefloor techno. I will always be developing new event concepts as well. A Transparency follow up is a must!
A fun one to finish off. If you were stuck on a desert island with only one track, what would it be?
It’s got to be Bicep – Glue or Future Sound Of London
Frazi.er’s next release will be ‘Corrupt Nation’ an EP on Dave The Drummer’s old school label Hydarulix on the 21st April