We were lucky enough to catch up with DJ Wool (aka Glen Brady) on the eve of his new release to discuss his recent move from Brooklyn to Berlin.
Today marks his first solo release on Plant Music since 1998’s 100% Pure New Wool, the same year he won Irish DMC Championship. He is one half of The Glass and also mixed Tittsworth‘s recent debut album 12 Steps.
DJ Wool recently sent a remix care package our way with these instructions, “Play this in the club and you will be the most talked about DJ around!!!!! THIS IS A SERIOUS BANGER!!!”
DJ Wool | The Star of East Berlin | (Sharkslayer Remix) (click to preview or right click save)
Nicky Digital: Was there a noticeable difference in your creative process since you’ve moved to Berlin?
DJ Wool: The creative energy in Berlin is definitely different than in NYC. Where NYC is always Now Now Now, Berlin is more like Soon Soon Soon … This can be a little frustrating when you first get here with a crazy efficient NYC mindset but I’m slowly starting to dig it … it’s slow but things still get done.
First thing you have to get used to in Berlin is winter … It’s not particularly colder than NYC but it gets darker a lot earlier and its gray as gray can be from October til May. This definitely effects your creativity, though not necessarily in a bad way…
Are the parties very different in Berlin?
Even though Berlin is one of the main party capitals of Europe, I don’t actually party that much … at all?? Well I do when I’m djing…
As far as djing goes, the reaction here is very different to NYC … Electronic music is the big thing here and people are serious about it … There’s a high standard of djs playing regularly and people are out to dance!!!
If you’re not out partying what are you keeping busy with?
Most of the time I’m locked away in my studio … I’ve calculated that I’ve done the same amount of writing and song production in 6 months here that I did in 2 years in NYC.
What do you miss about living in New York City?
I miss cycling over the Willyburg Bridge everyday and I miss skateboarding around Brooklyn … I also miss getting crazy wasted with all the homies … Big Up!!!
… and what don’t you miss?
Bottle Service and the constant barrage of people coming up to the dj booth asking me to play Britney Spears…
Either way I love New York and I love Berlin. Both places are filled with creative energy and good vibes … you just have to take be positive and enjoy how different each city is and its all gravy!!!!
DJ Wool’s new album, The Star of East Berlin is available as of today on BeatPort and
» Pre Party Jamz Volume 16: DJ Wool