I'm really excited to introduce the GLASYS Live Challenge! This is a live video contest for ALL musicians with some AWESOME prizes which include a brand new Korg Minilogue Analogue Synthesizer, a Moog 108M Clusterflux and merch from Dave Smith Instruments.
Check out the introduction video and rules HERE!
In exactly one week I'll be opening for the incredible Haley Reinhart at Lola's Room (The Crystal Ballroom), really looking forward to this one! Joining me on stage will be two of Portland's finest musicians - Micah Hummel on drums and Alex Meltzer on bass.
Get your tickets HERE before it's too late!
Click the image for more details.
I combined a couple of ideas from my Finger Twisters video into a complete piece, and recorded a live piano version using Nord's "Mellow Upright" sample (my favorite).
I'm planning to record an electronic version of this tune on my next album. Hope you enjoy!
The comments on my Game of Thrones live cover inspired me to create a proper mashup of two of my favorite TV show themes - Game of Thrones and Stranger Things. I had a blast recording this and recreating the sounds using my DSI Prophet 6 and Nord Stage 2! You can download a free MP3 from here.
The video was produced by the amazing John Thompson (Ballooga Media).
I had a blast working with T-Pain in the studio over the last few days! He's a seriously talented musician and a great guy, I'm stoked to have had the opportunity to collaborate with him.
Can't wait to share some of the sounds we recorded... but in the meantime, check out the Instagram videos he posted from our sessions, and this cool article on Hot New Hip Hop!
@tpain #repost #day2 #staytuned @drem00n I guess I'm now #FonkyFangasMcgee
A post shared by GLASYS (@glasysmusic) on
I had fun jamming over an acoustic performance of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift, check it out:
I'm a big fan of Game of Thrones (like most people in the world, I guess :P ) and I got so excited about the upcoming season that I simply HAD to do a live cover of the theme (composed by Ramin Djawadi). Hope you enjoy!
You can download a free mp3 of this performance here.
Last night I had the privilege of opening for The Avalanches at one of the best live music venues in Portland, The Crystal Ballroom. The crowd and energy were amazing, thanks to Soul'd Out Productions and everyone who came out for a truly magical experience!
Photo by Brian Haines
This post is overdue, but these last few days have been so crazy and overwhelming (in the best way possible) that I didn't even get the chance to update my website!
For those who don't know, a few days ago I posted a new video where I jam to a T-Pain song on Reddit. The video reached the front page, went viral with over half a million views on YouTube, and received a crazy amount of press including a feature on the GRAMMY's website!
I'm utterly blown away by the response and would love to thank everyone who has shared/supported/purchased my music in the last few days from the bottom of my heart!
Here's a short new song I wrote using an amazing vocal harmonizer I just got called Manipulator (designed by Polyverse Music and Infected Mushroom.) This video made it to the front page of reddit videos and got the attention of hiphop artist T-Pain. Hope you enjoy!
Here's a new video consisting of 10 short musical ideas, some of which explore simultaneous keyboard playing and finger drumming. The ideas were performed live using my DSI Prophet 6, Nord Stage 2 EX, Therevox ET-4, AKAI MPK mini II, some pedals and a Melodica.
I posted this to Facebook a couple of days ago and it already has over 50,000 views and 500 shares (including a share by Dave Smith Instruments) - I'm overwhelmed by the response, thank you so much to everyone for the amazing support!
I'm really excited to be opening for the incredible Jacob Collier this Sunday (April 23rd) at The Alberta Rose Theatre! Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets are going fast, get yours here before they're gone!
Update: The Soul'd Out Festival show at Holocene was cancelled by the headliner due to a medical emergency, but I'll be joining the bill at the Star Theater with Ghost Note and Coco Columbia on April 20th instead! You can grab some tickets HERE.
Photo by Purvis/Stinson.
I'm honored to be part of Soul'd Out Festival's lineup this year! I'll be playing on April 19th at Holocene with the talented Blossom and the amazing duo from NYC, Denitia and Sene.
Get you advance tickets HERE!
I'll also be returning to Seattle on April 2nd for a show at The Substation with local bands Fian and Ida Bay. Always a pleasure playing in that beautiful city!
You can find more details on the Facebook event page.
I received my 64 Audio A6 In-Ear-Monitors a week ago, and have already played two shows with them. They sound amazing! It's so refreshing to hear yourself well on stage.
Really proud to be endorsed by these guys. If you're considering getting a pair of IEMs, you should definitely check out their products!
I am thrilled to be part of MOGO Music Festival's lineup tonight! I'll be playing at The Secret Society with two killer local acts: Korgy & Bass and Coco Columbia. Get your tickets here!
We've even prepared a special GLASYS - Korgy & Bass collaboration for the night, with The Secret Sea on guitar. Check out this short teaser video, it's going to be so much fun:
Furthermore, our show got some cool recommendations in the local press! Tour Worthy wrote that "With Glasys’ gorgeous keyboard compositions and Korgy & Bass’ fuzzy hip-hop, this could be the show of the year" (link) and the Portland Mercury recommended the show in their "Things to Do" segment:
Time for some updates!
I had a fun live session on KBOO's Monday Sampler a couple of days ago. They have a great staff and very impressive studio!
And, speaking of radio stations, today I found out that my song 'The Great Abyss' was played on KEXP by DJ Ashley. This is the first time my music is played on the popular station, so needless to say I'm pretty excited by the news. :)
Tonight (Thursday) I'm performing at Bunk Bar with local Portland bands DAN DAN and Earth World. Both bands sound great and I'm looking forward to hearing their sets. Come say hi if you're in the area!
Click on the flyer for details:
I got to be a guest on the KGW Channel 8 (NBC) show Live at 7 last night, talk about my upcoming shows and even jam a little with news anchor Cassidy Quinn on my Nord keyboard!
You can watch the full segment here:
I'm so happy to announce that I'm now endorsed by four amazing gear companies - Nord Keyboards, 64 Audio, Fusion Bags and Dave Smith Instruments!
Photo by Purvis/Stinson, GLASYS Logo by JP Downer
If you've seen any of my videos, you know how much I love my Nord Stage 2 EX HP76 keyboard.
64 Audio is a company that makes incredible high end in-ear monitors, and I have a pair of A6's on the way! Can't wait to try them out.
Fusion Bags is a UK based company that makes top quality gig bags for most instruments (as well as laptops, DJ gear). I've been using their Keyboard 06 model to carry my Nord around for over a year now and it's proven to be the best bag I've ever owned. Lightweight, comfy, durable, has backpack straps and tons of room for cables and accessories... if you're a musician and you're in the market for a new bag, I highly recommend checking out their catalog!
GLASYS with the Fusion Keyboard 06 gig bag.
Dave Smith Instruments make some of the most beautiful and amazing analog synths in the market today. I've fantasized about owning the polyphonic Prophet 6 ever since it was announced, so needless to say I'm incredibly happy to be endorsed by the company. And look what showed up at my doorstep yesterday... expect some new videos featuring this beauty soon!
Proud to be on this list!
Just came back from an amazing week in California. What an experience! Here are some of the highlights:
1. Met some awesome people at the Artist Relations Endorse Expo, including the company's found Randy Fuchs, YouTube star Nathan Alef and GRAMMY award winner Salvador Santana. Also signed an endorsement deal with 64 Audio, can't wait to receive their amazing in-ear monitors!
From left to right: GLASYS, Randy Fuchs, Nathan Alef
2. At NAMM, I got to meet some legendary synth engineers (Tom Oberheim and Dave Smith) as well as lots of amazing artists. I also won 2 VIP tickets to Moogfest from Moog, really looking forward to that!
Tom Oberheim (Photo by Jeni Wren Stottrup)
Dave Smith
3. One of my favorite moments was jamming on a jazz standard at the Nord booth with the amazing pianist Robi Botos. Nord (who recently endorsed me) shared some of that jam in their NAMM 2017 highlights video:
4. This one isn't NAMM related, but it happened while I was there and put a big smile on my face. My debut EP was reviewed by Northwest Music Scene:
From the first bar of the title track of Glasys’ debut EP The Pressure, it is already clear that Gil Assayas is a musician of rare talent and skill. The Portland based Assayas is possessed of rather intimidating piano chops and assembled an impressive collective of musicians for the project.
