INTERVIEW: GLO curates Going Under: Culture Reset for Vivid: "Black music and black culture is and always has been at the pinnacle of what drives creative scenes in so many places around the world"
Image: Jordan Munns
Sydney based GLO is a R&B singer and songwriter who also comes from a background of dance and choreography. She has performed as a dancer for major stars including Solange Knowles and Anja Nissen and was Movement Director for Sampa The Great’s ‘Black Girl Majik’ video.
She released her first single in 2019 ‘Self Love’ with Saskia and followed it up in 2020 with ‘Transmute’, a mesmerising R&B track with a insistent beat and an entrancing vocal performance from GLO.
Tomorrow, GLO will curate Going Under: Culture Reset at Mary’s Underground in Sydney as part of the Vivid Festival. The Going Under series invites artists to curate a night that dives deep into their Sydney/Eora and to tell the stories and experiences of their community.
Culture Reset is a Black Odyssey through space and time delivered from the perspective of the black diasporic experience. GLO has assembled sound and movement artists that evoke a connection to culture and will allow the audience to venture into a night of Black centric rhythms.
We recently caught up with GLO to chat more about Culture Reset and her feelings on the cultural and musical scene in Sydney.
Hi GLO! So great to be chatting with you. How is life treating you at the moment?
Hi! In all honesty, life has been a challenge, that’s for certain. In the thick of it, my support system reminds me that my woes will see calmer waters and I’m very grateful for that.
You will be curating Culture Reset as part of this year’s VIVID Festival at Mary’s Underground. How did you come to be involved with this?
Literally one day, my manager called me and said, “Hey so you’ve been asked to curate your own event for Vivid at Mary’s Underground”... and I’m pretty sure I screeched.
In the first few months of 2020, my homies and I supported Giles Peterson at Mary’s and it went down as one of the most memorable gigs of mine. The fire alarms went off during our set, we had to improvise and as time progressed, the fire brigade arrived and was posted up outside. It was memorable to say the least. I’ve had so many fun experiences as a punter going to Mary’s for many nights full of live music, DJ sets and dancing til the morning. Two years later I’m wearing a different hat, which I’m so happy to be a part of.
Can you tell us a little about what people can expect to experience at the show?
I’ve asked some of my favourite artists to be a part of Culture Reset because it's so exciting to see where the music scene is heading and who’s really leading it.
This night is a space I feel is important in my journey to keep creating. To be able to curate an all black lineup is huge for me, as I’ve dreamt of being able to put on an event by us for us, and this won’t be the last of it. So you can expect good music and good vibes!
What is the main message or emotion you want people to take away from the show?
The main message is visibility and representation. I definitely want people attending to feel inspired and to feel good. Life’s awkward sometimes, so let’s shake it off for a few hours, you know?
The show is delivered from the perspective of the black diasporic experience. Why do you think its so important for Australia to continue to discuss the experience of the black community?
Black music and black culture is and always has been at the pinnacle of what drives creative scenes in so many places around the world. From hip hop to soul to house music, the originators of these genres were Black Americans. Prior to that, you can trace very crucial elements of Hip Hop to Jamaican immigrants/pioneers who would “toast” over music at local gatherings around New York in the 70’s.
I love learning about how everything is so layered within music history because the ones that came before us were fighting the fight and created musical time capsules while doing so. It irks me that people in music don’t care about none of the above and only care about making something so sacred easy for consumption and profitable.
The Sydney cultural and live scene is only just coming back after COVID. What are your perceptions about the cultural and live music scene in Sydney?
As always, the community has done what it does best and shows up/shows out and creates space for us to come together again. Like anything, there is always more room to grow but it’s been nice seeing a few shows and seeing people again.
What, if anything, do you think Australia, both from the government and from us the general public, need to do better when it comes to our cultural landscape?
If I write down all the things that could be done, you’d think I’m lowkey running for office. That being said I’ll keep it short.
First up, that outdated school system we have going on…that’s got to go. We don’t completely value creativity in the education space. I remember I didn’t want to do any of the creative subjects i.e music and dance for my last years in school because it would scale my grades poorly. Your girl ended up redoing all those subject in real life for a living!
What advice would you give to any young black kids that want to take up a career in music/the arts like you?
It’s definitely a challenging road (and the darker your skin tone the harder it gets) but keep good people around you, keep the good spirits around you and keep the love for yourself maintained.
It’s no secret the music industry does not have a reputation of being a safe space for women, in the main because it has been run by older, white, straight men since its inception. What are your thoughts on gender equality and sexism in the music industry?
Well darn, I’m a darksin black woman which is truly my greatest gift and also a huge challenge for me in the industry and also life. My thoughts on gender equality can’t be conceptualised without including my thoughts on race (bell hooks taught me that and shout out to Sunny Adcock for putting me on).
Overall I have seen a lot of change come out of people speaking up and the importance of discomfort. It’s been nice to see the systems break down here and there. In my own realm, I make it a point to surround myself with really balanced males as I’ve worked with mainly male producers and musicians (I have an all male band). I have gotten to a point in life where I do not have space to tolerate structures that uphold whiteness and the patriarchy. My literal existence is the antithesis of that!
What else is coming up for GLO in 2022?
I’m working on me and my health at the moment. I’ve realised more and more that if the internal ain’t right, the external won’t be either.
Going Under: Culture Reset curated by GLO is on Thursday June 9 at Mary’s Underground, Circular Quay, Sydney. Tickets are on sale now.
To keep up with all things GLO you can follow her on Instagram.
