Greg Gow: "I am still as enthused about my label as I was when I founded it"
For over two decades, Greg Gow has been a driving force in the evolution of North American techno, carving out a distinctive identity through his uncompromising sound, artistic vision and dedication to the underground. A Juno Award-winning producer, recognized with the 2023 Best Single award, Gow has consistently pushed creative boundaries, establishing himself as one of Canada's most respected electronic music artists.
His productions have found a home alongside some of the most influential names in techno, including Christian Smith, Adam Beyer, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Dubfire and Radio Slave. Equally compelling behind the decks, his raw, hypnotic and high-energy sets have taken him across the globe, performing at internationally renowned venues and festivals such as Movement Detroit, Watergate Berlin, Output New York, Ushuaïa Ibiza, Club Space Miami and Creamfields.
Deeply connected to his roots in Toronto, where he maintains a residency at the legendary Vertigo, Greg Gow continues to play an essential role in shaping Canada's electronic music landscape. From the dancefloors of North America to stages across Europe, Asia and South America, his journey reflects a relentless commitment to techno and its ever-evolving possibilities. More than just a pioneer, Gow remains an artist driven by curiosity, passion and an enduring connection to the music.
Your latest release, Trendds / Tooth Extraction EP, explores new sonic territories. What inspired this project, and what was your creative approach?
Trendds/ Tooth Extraction, released in September 2026, is five tracks of stripped-back raw, deep, hypnotic techno for serious DJs and listeners. In Trendds, the 90s Street Mix and Dub Lane Mix are intended to send the same important message, one with sampling from Dave Morales, the godfather of New York House, and the second purely musical. As Morales says, current electronic music “is what it is”, rather than what it can and should be at its mesmerizing best.
In Tooth Extraction, as my compositions often do, I was telling a story - in this case about the extraction of tooth #46. I tried musically to capture both the flow of the dental adventure and the seriousness of the predicament.
Your sound blends Detroit techno influences with your Toronto roots. How has this combination evolved throughout your career?
While staying true to Techno’s 90’s roots and adhering to the core components of Detroit Techno, which I love so much, increasingly I am adding and emphasizing new dimensions to my compositions. In particular my music makes greater use of simple minor chords and is rawer, dubby, hypnotic and soulful.
You’ve been inspired by and collaborated with legends like Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson and Carl Craig. How have they influenced your musical journey?
Over my lengthy musical career the most important and lasting influences and relationships have come from the Detroit Techno sounds of founder Derrick May and his colleagues including Kevin Saunderson, and Carl Craig. They have been my mentors, especially friends from the very start. I came under their musical spell of DMay & Robert Hood others in the late 90’s. Their Detroit base was only a four hour drive from my Toronto home and I often made the trip. By about 2010 I was welcomed to May’s Detroit team and in that capacity composed and released the well received track The Bridge which is Detroit techno to its core. Certainly there are UK and Berlin influences on my music but Detroit is more predominant – especially its hypnotic blend of high energy and soul.
Since 2001, Restructured Recordings has been an important platform for underground techno. How has your vision for the label changed over the years?
It’s been a minute since I founded Restructured. Twenty five years later I am still as enthused about my label as I was when I founded it. Restructured started out as a vehicle for me to share my own compositions and to collaborate with other selected composers and performers. The common denominator was techno with soul, a high energy, hypnotic sound. Now, full circle, Restructured is more focused on the creations of Greg Gow. My home base. That said, in the coming months Restructured will feature a new release of collaborations with selected returning artists and some newer to the scene.
After winning a Juno Award in 2023, what are your goals for the next chapter of your career, both as a producer and DJ?
I was honoured to receive a JUNO Award for my single “I knew Techno”. It’s great to be respected. But, like other fields, in electronic music the culture is all about what have you done lately and I am moving forward aggressively both as a producer and a DJ. My focus, more than ever, is on producing quality electronic music compositions that people enjoy and which inspire, even compel, them to move to the music. With the support of my international booking agency NY AERA (https://nyaera.com) I am hoping to have a greater presence in and greater impact on the European electronic music scene in 2027 and beyond. My upcoming six track release on Radio Slave’s RSPX label features predominantly outboard equipment rather than “in the box”. Also in 2027 my music will be featured on Planet Rhythm, with the drop date still to be determined.
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