Interview: Miss Lily's Resident DJ Max Glazer On The Shop's One-Year Anniversary

Can you speak on the differences between broadcasting to listeners from a studio and DJing for nightlife crowds or concertgoers? Broadcasting to listeners from a studio couldn't be more different than DJing for live crowds. I'm not working off the energy of the crowd or room. I have to sit there alone and decide what I want people to hear without having that immediate crowd response. With radio, I have the freedom to play music that people may not already be familiar with and hopefully grow it to the point where it can work in a live setting. I can play unknown artists and songs that may not otherwise get the exposure. In a live setting, it's all about creating and building energy in the room. I want people to have the best possible time they can. I want them to be having such a good time that they don't even leave the dance floor to get a drink or use the restroom. I want people to look up when the lights come on at 4 am and say "it's over already?" Do you have any notable anecdotes or memories from DJing at Radio Lily this past year that you'd like to share? There are so many things that come to mind but my favorite moments have to be when artists stop by and I throw on a riddim [rhythm] and they do their thing. Having Sean Paul on the mic while I DJ live on the air will always be a highlight. Another great moment was when Konshens, who is the hottest up and coming dancehall artist, came through and practically did an entire concert live on the radio. Of course there was also the time when Spike Lee walked in wearing New York Knicks gear from head to toe, smiled and said "this looks familiar" referring to We Love 108 FM, the radio station manned by Mister Señor Love Daddy (Samuel L. Jackson) in Do The Right Thing. That was pretty amazing. You're not the only Radio Lily DJ: have the other DJs' musical tastes influenced your own and vice versa? Do you feel that you're cultivating a sense of community not just among Miss Lily's patrons and Radio Lily listeners but also among DJs celebrating Caribbean music? I run the station, along with DJ Autograph and DJ Select, and we are always sharing music. Autograph specializes in dancehall classics, while Select is more eclectic across all genres, and I'm the hardcore dancehall guy. I'm always listening to what other people are playing on Radio Lily and picking up things that I can use in my sets. We've got a great team of DJs from roots and rockers, to soca and Latin, and we've definitely built a unique musical community.
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