Five Questions with Grej

Toronto’s Greg Harrison is an percussionist/ composer who is also know as Grej. Grej is a solo project of Greg’s creating experimental electro-acoustic music. He recently released a video for “Part 3” off of his new album, i/Variations. The video was choreographed/performed with dancer Mateo Galindo Torres with artist Carlos Delgado. To find out more about Grej, check out our newest segment of Five Questions With below!

Care to introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Greg Harrison – I’m a freelance percussionist/composer in Toronto. Grej is my solo project of experimental electro-acoustic music.

Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.

My music is probably best categorized as experimental, although it draws on many different styles of music. I like experimenting with crossing genres , especially between electronic and classical music. My compositions almost all come from improvisation and experimenting. I love making or tweaking acoustic instruments to create unusual/ interesting sounds. Lately I’ve been obsessing over boutique effects pedals which always caters to spontaneity.  Once I have a pallet of sounds to work with, I usually start constructing a piece/ song.

Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?

I’m doing an EP release next weekend in my hometown for FUZE fest (Fredericton, NB Aug 11-12). This particular music will be partly a “DJ” setup with live processing of cymbals, glockenspiel and other auxiliary instruments. I left a fair bit of room for improv in each piece- which will keep me on my toes.

If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?

They are all very different from one another- but Part 3 has a bit of it all.

Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?

I love Tim Hecker. He’s a big inspiration. I just finished reading his dissertation on the history of megaphonics which was really cool. Otherwise- just some of my friends bands – RALEIGH and Motherhood in particular.

Connect with Grej:
Website
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