An Interview with Stryke
Written by Doug Jones   
Tuesday, 15 June 2004

Greg “Stryke” Chin is one of several Christians who are actually making it in the secular dance world as both a producer and a DJ. His music has been released on such labels as Hooj Choons, Guidance, Isophlux, Platform, and Fluential among others. He is also the founder, brainchild, and owner of Substance Recordings. With his classically trained music skills and sixteen years of DJing experience, it was truly an honor to interview him for Tastyfresh.com.

Tastyfresh: What's new with Stryke? (latest releases, collaborations, & touring)

Stryke: Well, it was a slow start to 2004.  I moved to a new house and moved the studio as well.  For the first time, I have the studio in my house, which is strange, but good.  It took a while to get the studio up and running, but thankfully, everything is up and working now.  I'm currently in the middle of mixing and producing an album for an artist named Eric Barnhart.  It's not electronic at all … more contemporary rock stuff.  On the Stryke end, there are a few things …

  • A remix I did for French techno group Trium will be out later this year. The track is entitled T10.
  • A remix I did for Atlanta based Areotechnica Records will be out later this year. The track is entitled Stormkilla.
  • I signed a digital distribution deal with EDM Digital to make my Substance Recordings label available as digital downloads. I also inked a deal with them as an exclusive artist. You can find exclusive and unreleased Stryke material there that you won't be able to get anywhere else.  In a few weeks, I start recording an album for EDM for download only … entitled The War of Art.
  • I'm in the process of signing a new song called Everything Is You to the Stereo Productions label in Spain
  • My single with Murk entitled Time is out later this month on UK label Subversive.

Touring wise, I've been pretty quiet, mostly due to the fact that I signed as a resident to the new Nocturnal club in Downtown Miami. I turned down all dates for spring and summer to build up the residency.  However, the club still isn't finished, and we've decided to open in October as well.  So my tour dates right now are still being rebuilt.  I just came back from a great gig in Puerto Rico and there's currently a tour being worked on with myself, Noel Sanger, and Jesse Skeens (Medway).  That should be fun. I was just elected to the board of governors for the Florida chapter of the Grammy's.  I'm pretty excited about that

Tastyfresh: Who would you credit as your influences?

Stryke: Musically, my influences are pretty diverse … Chopin, Vangelis, Depeche Mode, John Beltran, Jeff Mills, etc … On a non-musical plane, I'd have to say that my father is my biggest influence.  He's such a great man, with a big heart, and such a love for God.  He inspires me every day. Also, Paulo Coelho (Brazilian author).

Tastyfresh: What has been your biggest temptation and/or struggle in your daily walk with the Lord while being a DJ?

Stryke: I'd have to say that my biggest struggle is keeping my personal relationship with the Lord at the forefront.  My schedule and my life in general tends to be pretty hectic.  I find myself often putting everything else on the back burner … family, friends, and my walk with God.  It's something I've noticed and have been trying to keep that relationship at the forefront.  You'd think something as simple as going to church on Sunday wouldn't be a big production.  But, after Djing for 4 or 5 hours and getting back to the hotel at 8 AM, the last thing you want to do is go to church.  But, I am making the effort.  That's just one example. 

Tastyfresh: What was the process in getting signed to Substance or other labels you have been involved with?

Stryke: Getting signed to Substance was easy, since I own the label.  I made myself an offer I couldn't refuse (laughing out loud). As far as the other labels I've signed to, they all called. I've been truly blessed. When Josh Wink called about doing some stuff for Ovum, I thought it was a practical joke. To this day whenever Josh calls, he always reminds me that it's really him on the phone so I won't hang up on him. The Hooj signing with Oscar G. (Murk/Space resident) happened as a fluke. Oscar and I finished Hypnotized and kind of sent it to them as a joke. We were shocked when they called back right away and wanted to sign the track and us to an artist deal.  It's been pretty much the same with the other labels as well (Guidance, Adrenalin, etc … )  Either they call me to do some stuff or I send some music up to them and wait for a call back.  

Tastyfresh: What are some of your career accomplishments?

Stryke: Being asked to remix Madonna and INXS were both really honoring for me. Although the mixes were never commercially available, I am still honored to have been able to do them.  Getting the opportunity to work with 2 of my musical idols, John Beltran (on 2 of his albums) and Miami House legends Murk.  Just being able to do what I do on a daily basis (even through all the struggles) is what I consider my biggest career accomplishment.

Tastyfresh: Where is dance music going?  What styles are hitting in the future in your opinion?

Stryke: I'd like to think that dance music as a whole is becoming more cohesive. Barriers are dropping.  I hate the whole idea of pigeon holing music. It takes away the true purpose of what music is, which is communication. I love the fact that I'm hearing more techno textures in house tracks and more house textures in trancier and progressive tracks.  I love the fact that people are having a harder time labeling stuff and just starting to call it really great dance music!  that's where we should continue to head.  As far as future styles?  I'm in the so called techno corner.  I'm seeing techno rear its head down here in South Florida, and it's something I've been championing for years.  So, I'll say techno.  However, as I said before, it's just all about good music.

Tastyfresh: Who is Christ to you?

Stryke: Besides my personal saviour and ultra cool guy?  I've always envisioned him as a kind of older brother or father figure (to the infinite power). He's always been there to guide and comfort me. The important thing for me is to always remember that he's there for me not only in times of despair and struggle, but in times of total happiness and joy.  Of course I always cry out to him when things are bad … but I'm learning to thank him and praise him more in the good times as well.  He's just the one who never fails.

Tastyfresh: What DJ, you have seen perform in the last year, is going to blow up and why?

Stryke: Hmmm … I'd have to say Domingo Castillo.  He was doing a really cool Sunday night with his manager, Ramon Crespo at Jazid in South Beach. Domingo is an excellent DJ.  His musical style is really diverse.  From IDM to deep, minimal techno, to house, he makes it all flow together so well.  He has a very smooth, serene feeling to his sets; but it has a really great energy at the same time.  Not many DJs can do that.  Domingo does it like no other.  I want to see him blow up big time.

Tastyfresh: What is the most disturbing aspect of the international dance scene today?

Stryke: Although I don't see as much drug use as I used to (maybe I just try to shield myself from being exposed to it on any level), I still think that it's the most disturbing aspect of the international dance scene.  I think the drug use then creates a negative catalyst for bad decision making, life choices, etc … It's a trickle down effect. 

Tastyfresh: What do you feel you have left to accomplish in the electronic dance scene?  Where do you want to be in 5 years?

Stryke: Just making more music. I never ever thought I'd come this far in this career, so I try not to put any specific goals to attain.  That's not to say that I'm not driven. I just want to focus on always making the best music possible and giving the best possible performance. Always.

In 5 years, I think I'd like to finally have settled down with a wife and some children (and lots of dogs).  I'll continue producing, performing, and doing the music business side of label ownership. I'd also like to really start scoring video games and film.  I can then finally use my classical training to its full potential.

Tastyfresh: … and 5 quick answers please

  1. Best venue you have DJed at? 
    Le4Sans in Bordeaux, France
  2. City with the best scene?
    Bordeaux and Paris, France
  3. Best DJ you have seen live and where?
    Jeff Mills at Bed WMC 2004.
  4. Best or favorite all time record? 
    That's a tough one.  For home or car listening I'll say John Beltran's Morning at the Window (I was in Heaven) for the dance floor I'll say Jam & Spoon's Stella But of course that changes every minute of the day ;)
  5. After DJing at a party … What is your food choice? 
    I've been trying to eat and be healthier … so I'll say a good bottle of spring water. But, if I'm being bad … good food from whatever city/country I'm in.  In Jacksonville, that would mean some corn nuggets with Bill Sikes and the gang!

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