In this episode of Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with Glynn Tolley for a brilliant journey through more than three decades of dance music, club culture, production and promotion.
Glynn's story begins long before the superclubs and packed dancefloors. From making pretend radio shows on a reel-to-reel recorder as a child to DJing school discos, saving for his first pair of Technics and eventually warming up alongside the likes of Sasha, his route into dance music was anything but conventional.
The conversation moves into Glynn's early production career and Within a Dream's "Where Is the Feeling?", a record that sparked major-label interest and eventually found its way to Kylie Minogue. Glynn shares the remarkable story behind the track, the record-industry politics surrounding its original release, and how Kylie eventually recorded her own interpretation.
Then comes Leeds.
Glynn recalls becoming involved with Sundissential, initially helping create a safer environment for clubbers before becoming increasingly involved behind the scenes. From there came Funkessential and, following one of the more colourful chapters in the story, the birth of Kiss Da Funk.
What followed was an extraordinary period in UK clubbing. Glynn and the Kiss Da Funk team brought David Guetta to the north of England before he became a global superstar, booked Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso before Swedish House Mafia existed, brought Eric Morillo back to Leeds and even became the first promoters to bring Avicii to the UK.
There are plenty of classic behind-the-scenes stories too, from club politics and financial gambles to Ibiza madness and the characters who made the era unforgettable.
Finally, Paul and Glynn discuss the resurrection of Kiss Da Funk after almost 12 years away, and why a generation of clubbers is finding its way back onto the dancefloor.
Join the History
Hit play and hear the stories behind one of UK clubland's great success stories, told by someone who was right in the middle of it.
And if you were there the first time around, Kiss Da Funk is back, with the next event at Mint Warehouse on 26 September.
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What is Hard House History?
Welcome to Hard House History, formerly known as When I Grow Up, hosted by Hard House icon Paul Glazby. This podcast dives deep into the evolution of the Hard House movement, exploring the music, the culture, and the unforgettable nights that defined an era. Join Paul as he reconnects with the DJs, producers, promoters, and fans who built the scene from the underground up. Whether you lived it or are discovering it for the first time, Hard House History is your front-row seat to the beats, stories, and energy that still move dancefloors today.