11.11.2020
This week’s guest feature is a special one – featuring not one individual but six! The members of the crew 5th Dimension Detroit have been doing big things, and will definitely keep that trend going. They’ve got the work ethic and hunger to make their mark on the Detroit electronic music scene.
I wanted to highlight them as a group as they have been catching my eye via their events (The High Dive, Tangent Gallery, Dequindre Cut, Atwater Beach) and talent – and because they also lean towards a darker techno vibe which is near and dear to my heart.
The six members are as follows:
- Zen Zero / Chris Macom
- VSRL / Calum Bryans
- RIRKIN / Glen Kirkland
- Ian Bern / Jan Bern
- Adam Charles
- Andrea Kalajian
Fresh off a successful last event at Tangent Gallery called Lunacy on October 10th which included heavy hitters like T.Linder, Henry Brooks, Volatile Solvent, Jitter, and the 5th Dimension crew — they are prepping for more this Saturday, November 14th, once again at Tangent Gallery. This time for an event called Transcend, featuring Dru Ruiz, Jerry Downey, Yosua, Eric Swi, Eric Koslosky, and the 5th Dimension crew.
The six of them came to my home for a group interview – where we talk about things like when they were formed, what “5th Dimension” means, what would happen if the six of them were stuck on a deserted island together, their favorite memories so far as a crew, attacking the music industry as a collective vs. as an individual, how they all met, events coming up, their view on open air events now due to COVID, lanyards, and more.
This interview is a bit longer, as there are six voices chiming in, but it’s definitely worth the read. On Friday, there will be SIX recipes posted from each of them as well instead of just one. So get your kitchen ready!
Be sure to check out their super tag set they recorded featuring all six of them, on SoundCloud now.
detroit.dance: Go around and introduce yourselves with a short few sentences each, including what draws you to music.
Glen: All right. My name is Glen. I was born in Indiana, I grew up in California, and then moved to Detroit a couple years ago. What draws me to music is the vibe and the people.
Jan: My name is Jan, I was born in Germany. What draws me to music is the people and the love; bringing people to dance and enjoy the music with me.
Calum: My name is Calum, I was born in Scotland and I’ve lived in a lot of places. I moved to Detroit two and a half years ago. What draws me to music is definitely the connection to people that you make while sharing it. And I just love to dance. So, that helps a lot.
Adam: I’m Adam Charles, I was born in West Bloomfield, and I’ve always loved music, it’s been a part of my life since a very young age… starts with trance, and then you get involved with more genres, then you learn about the culture and then it becomes, you know, a group of people now you can network with and make friends with it.
Chris: I’m Chris, born and raised in the Detroit Metro area. What draws me to music – it has to be the meditative qualities of it. Like, you know, no matter what went on during your day or during your week, or what you have going on in your life, you can kind of flip on some music and be taken to another state of mind and another state of consciousness.
Andrea: My name is Andrea Kalajian. I was born in the Metro Detroit area, and I guess what draws me to music is the sense of letting loose and freedom that you get from, getting into the beat or vibe, and then also people coming together and becoming a community. You don’t feel like you’re so much alone, but that you’re part of something much bigger than yourself.
detroit.dance: When was 5th Dimension started, and where did the name come from?
Chris: Fifth Dimension started as an idea that I had, to create a production company that’s doing events. Basically I was starting to throw a bunch of different events, and I just wanted to put something a little bit more professional behind it to promote the event. Something different that was just, you know, beyond my DJ name or like a personal thing that I was doing, to establish more of a business and a company. And then after that, from throwing events, I met all these characters through that, and we slowly joined forces. Now we use that name to promote us all as a whole.
detroit.dance: So, what brings you guys together?
Calum: Techno!
Adam: To be honest it really kind of all culminated when we were all independently going to open decks night at The High Dive. I mean that’s kind of really why that place has become such a focus is because it’s the Nexus for all of us. And as a result, we’ve recognized each other as quality and we’d like to work with each other.
Andrea: It’s a great place to network, meet people, and collaborate. Create something.
Calum: Yeah, I think we’re all really fresh. Other than Chris we’re all pretty fresh in the party scene as far as throwing events, so that kind of brings a certain level of unity together, I think. We all just met each other this year so I think it’s a cool relationship, we’re building.
Glen: Yeah, I agree I think for some of us, who aren’t from around here, to be able to walk into a place [The High Dive], and kind of have this family atmosphere, it means a lot. Not knowing many people around here and having that family vibe, really helped bring us together and keeps us together as well.
detroit.dance: Do you guys have a collective sound that people should think of when they think of 5th Dimension?
Chris: Well, I’d say that we definitely have more of a techno sound going on. I think right now it’s slowly being developed as we go. We try to mix up our sets a lot, where we do different tag teaming sets with each different member, and switch them in and out to get to that point where eventually, we do have that unified sound. I’d say right now it seems to be more of like a techno/eclectic oriented thing. We definitely try to do something that’s a little outside the box and not the same thing that you would see if you went to any other event. So I think right now we’re kind of focusing on doing that and keeping outside the box. I think slowly we’ll start molding it more into a cohesive thing. But right now we’re in the works of molding that together into something more cohesive.
Calum: Yeah, I think I think that we’re moving towards that hard, rich, danceable techno that you don’t even necessarily hear out quite as much as maybe we’d all like to hear out…something that hits a little harder, a little darker, but still keeps you dancing not just headbanging.
Andrea: Exactly. Again, it also depends on the venue too like we played a pool party, during the day, and it was nice to hear that people have the ability to play some other genres that will lead into techno and have it be that banging and rich beat.
Adam: Since we all share “Heater” [weekend event at The High Dive], it’s more of our place to experiment.
detroit.dance: Do you feel that there’s a difference when you attack the music industry as a collective of people versus an individual?
Calum: Absolutely
Adam: Definitely. I mean, as Andrea and I were running “Heater”, we were kind of seeing how hard it was to really kind of get something off the ground. And then, learning from him [Chris], and the group, and all coming together as a whole; it’s been a big difference what we’ve done.
Andrea: I think multiple heads are definitely better than one. People have different connections to different people, or the ability to do certain tasks or have different ideas to contribute. I think as a collective you’re stronger. Versus just being one individual trying to do everything, because then you’re spreading yourself thin, and I mean how successful can you be?
Calum: I think what I always recognize is we’ve all got different experiences, lots of different expectations and visions, and we can’t all just launch into our own visions, we got to work collectively to manifest that. But in doing so, you make a very good foundation for throwing a good party and having good plans in the future, and bouncing off of each other, using each other’s energy, and that’s so much better than trying to do anything alone because it’s so exhausting doing anything alone.
Chris: Yeah, being a DJ in Detroit, you’re kind of forced to do everything on your own. No one’s going to book you, no one’s going to come to your show just because you’re throwing an event. So you have to work really hard individually as a DJ, so it’s hard to break through into the broader scene. Being together with multiple people all doing that for a unified goal, definitely helps to increase everyone’s reach a little bit. If everyone can bring in 10 people to the party, and we have seven or eight of us – now it’s a party.
Calum: Especially as us three [Calum, Glen, Jan], specifically, we just got here, just got to the area. Man like, without this, this collective we definitely would not be throwing the kinds of parties we are and getting the attention we are.
detroit.dance: Is there any possibility that you’ll keep growing and adding more people to 5th Dimension, or is it just going to be the six of you for a little bit?
Chris: For right now it’s definitely going to be just us. We have a lot of things going on right now with events, and, you know, managing everyone right now. It’s not difficult, but there’s a lot of people involved right now. Which is good for what we’re doing, but to add anyone else into it at this moment would make things a little bit more difficult, because we all want to play every show and have the opportunity to play sets at every event… but definitely in the future as things grow we’ll definitely pick up some people. If we feel it fits right.
Calum: Ask us again in like six months.
detroit.dance: Do you have any events coming up that you’d like to talk about?
Calum: Yeah, so this Saturday we have our Transcend event at Tangent, bringing out Dru Ruiz [Cultured Citizens], Jerry Downey [Sexual Tension Detroit], Eric Swi [Litework], Eric Kozlowsky [Litework], Yosua your friend actually who was featured on this as well.. And all of us. So that’s gonna be really cool, our second show at Tangent… our second real big show.
Adam: We’ll have heaters, fire, pyromancers…
Jan: And good music!
Chris: Good music and whiskey will keep us warm.
Glen: We’ll have some chili and mac and cheese and stuff there too. But yeah, that’s our next big event that’s coming up here which we’re really excited about. We’ve been doing a weekly at the Dequindre Cut for a couple months now I think maybe almost three months. That organization wanted us to come to their new location which is on the Detroit Riverfront next to the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater – Atwater Beach. There’s an outdoor space and then there’s an indoor space. We’ll do an outdoor event [Sunday Nov. 8th] and then we’ll start in December on Saturdays using the indoor space where they have some food vendors as well. That’ll be our new Saturday spot so we’re looking forward to that. We’re happy to have the opportunity to be there.
Andrea: After that [new Saturday event] our crew will probably all be at the High Dive, like a back-to-back like we have been doing with Heater.
detroit.dance: For your last event Lunacy at the Tangent, you had these cool little lanyards for everyone. Will you be doing that again and who thought of that?
Calum: Yes, ma’am. Thank you for reminding me that I start working on those. I started working on them the night before, on that Friday, and it took me like three hours to make 20 lanyards Then I realized it was gonna take me all night, I had to go back to the liquor store. I was like, “I don’t have enough beer for this.”. I made them because I’ve got a stack of lanyards from all the parties and festivals I’ve played, and it is my favorite thing to sometimes go through them or show friends, all these different lanyards. Some of them are really well made, really well professionally done and some of them look like absolute shit. That just shows you what kind of party you were at or how well that party was thrown. Immediate flashbacks to the shit show it was, or the absolute amazing time it was… and like the coolest green room in the world. So it’s just a memento that you can carry around with you and sticks with you forever. They don’t take up a lot of space, and being able to pass that on to other artists and attendees if they want, you know, it means a lot to me.
Chris: He also made him so he feels and looks important. VIP here!
Calum: Won’t get you in anywhere, but…
Chris: This is MY party!
Calum: I was just giving them out to everybody eventually, I made too many.
detroit.dance: What are some goals that you have – in general for you all working together and for the future?
Chris: We have ideas to get a label started in the future for releases of our own stuff, and also with people outside of Michigan and within Michigan as well, that we feel like would fit our sound. And also to try to get us to branch out outside of Michigan to reach a broader audience. Yeah, so the label is definitely a possibility, possibly even like artist management, in the future. Right now we’re pretty much just trying to throw events and use those to get our name out there. But the possibilities are really endless, so I guess we’re just going to feel that out organically as we keep moving, and if something seems right we’re gonna go with it.
Calum: Yeah, a goal for me is definitely to have that name recognition to the point where we can start focusing on booking out-of-state talent. And currently all of our efforts are on what kind of Detroit draw we can get from the artists we’ve booked. Obviously there’s so many other artists across the country that I’d love to bring out personally. Chicago, Milwaukee, even just in the Midwest. So getting that name recognition and being able to open up our doors to DJs from all across the country, that would be huge for me personally.
Chris: I think our main goal as 5th Dimension in general, is to use this broad umbrella to promote us all. So we have kind of a launch off point for each of us individually, and we can each get our name recognized, get booked by other people, get out there in the world, and kind of all use 5th Dimension to expose us individually.
Glen: Yeah, I agree. I think we also have a goal of, you know, just throwing these events. We’re just kind of keeping them going, and want the next one to be a bit bigger. We always kind of mix up who else we incorporate with our events. It’s not just us, right. So I think we like to get a good mixture of good talent, especially like in the area now. So, just to continue to do that and progress with each event that we have – not necessarily about numbers or anything like that but just to throw good parties where people have a great time.
Andrea: And to be able to have those artists, and to be able to collaborate with them I think is really awesome. To bring people together, have a good time, and forget about problems – it’s a beautiful thing to see. So I think the goal is really just bringing people together now.
detroit.dance: What have been your favorite moments so far, working together?
Adam: For me it’s, it’s been Dequindre Cut. That’s been the most frequent/exclusive thing that we’ve done. And there’s been so many good times, but when I think back to it now that it’s kind of over with, you know, looking towards the future I’m just gonna be like “Wow I remember this, and I remember that”… the whole experience was a great start.
Calum: For me, it was 6am at the Orange Room after we had done the fucking Cut all day until like 10pm, and then gone to The High Dive, and then set up at the Orange Room until 6am with Glen and Chris….and looking at both of them, and looking like shit, and being totally exhausted and not even able to stand anymore. But we made it all the way through until the party ended. Felt like shit, but people were loving it. Chris absolutely fucking slayed from like, four in the morning till 6am or however long he played for… and then we looked each other like, “Dude we got to go, been doing this for like 18 hours now it’s time to leave.” Then we cut the speakers off and packed up.
Andrea: Was that the night we ended up in Jan’s backyard?
Calum: No that was, that was after Lunacy.
Andrea: That was my favorite memory. When the neighbor was all “HEY!”
Calum: Go into that one!
Andrea: Yeah, we had a long day of playing and it was after Tangent [Lunacy show], and it was really a successful night… it turned out beautiful. We all went back to Jan’s place, we were playing back to back and decided to take the music outside. We thought it would be okay, but the neighbors ended up getting upset.
Chris: You got to be specific though, the neighbor came out, furious, and he started banging on the side of the house, screaming at the top of his fucking lungs.
Jan: Yeah, I heard the word “asshole”.
Glen: The same time as Jan’s roommate coming down and simultaneously yelling at us, “What are you doing at 6am?!”
Jan: We were so wasted.
Chris: And we were barely taking any of them seriously at all.
Jan: My favorite thing was also on that day and it was that party at the Tangent [Lunacy]. Because I felt like lots of people were having a good time. And I think, due to this whole COVID thing, it’s very important that people can enjoy themselves. I definitely felt that people had a good party. What was/what is badly needed.
Glen: I think, a bit off of what Adam said earlier, we’ve had some amazing times at the Dequindre Cut, bringing a lot of people down even when the weather didn’t work with us so well… people still came and had an amazing time when we weren’t expecting it. I think that’s some of the greatest like kernels and memories. Then again yeah, when we threw our event at Tangent [Lunacy]. It was definitely a big risk – it was like everything we had earned until that point we had on the line; we had $5 left. Which I was like, you know, “Come on guys”. And to sit there at a moment when the place was slammed with people and everyone having a great time, smiling, good vibes all around…. that was just a moment I’ll never forget. We came together to do a good photo, and I just felt like this is my family right here. That moment for me was really huge. Won’t forget that one.
Chris: Yeah, I think for me one of the defining moments was actually a more chill/slower night at The High Dive where Derrick Carter ended up there, and me and Glen were playing records with him at the very end of the night, after his show at Aretha. It was just kind of nice because it showed our outreach and how small the world really is when you start getting into the technol world… that you could be an arm’s length away from a legend at any moment. As long as you play it cool and keep your nose clean, you’re gonna be right there spinning next to them. Very, very good possibility.
detroit.dance: What’s your view on being the people providing a platform for DJs to come in with your open deck night at The High Dive?
Chris: Well for the open deck night, we started that because within the techno scene, especially in Detroit, there can kind of be like a lot of barriers into getting into it as a fan, and as like a DJ as well. When you’re going into a new place you’ve never been before, everyone’s kind of very clique-y and know each other, and they can kind of turn their noses up at new people. So we thought that it would be a good thing to do. To help break down all the barriers and have a completely open deck night like that, has done that. Because we get a lot of people from out of state, or they’re new DJs, or they’re coming from out of the country, and they’re trying to get their feet wet in the Detroit scene…the Tuesday’s can be a good launching off point for them to meet new people, meet other DJs, and potentially get better gigs. A lot of people have come through that have been really good, and we booked for some of our other events, and it’s done very very good. There’s a lot of really good DJs out there and really good producers that might not have the connections in the scene. Or they’re not in with the cliques or in with a tight circle. It just helps to have a night where there’s no barriers, anything goes… it’s like just come show up. Everyone’s very open to what other people are doing, very respectful of the different sounds and people’s skill levels. So it’s a good way to get your feet wet into the scene, especially if you’re new to the Detroit area or trying to make it as a DJ.
Calum: Yeah, I really like it because it’s a good way to funnel people who come up to you in advance, and they’re like “I’d love to come play, I’d love to get involved”, and I can just say, “Go to The High Dive on Tuesday”. If you really want to be involved, go The High Dive on Tuesday. One of us will be there. Play your shit. And it really shows what you can do live. Don’t send me your SoundCloud. Go to The High Dive on Tuesday.
detroit.dance: If you could change the red lighting in The High Dive, what color would you change it to?
Calum: We have a running joke that all you need is one red light. I wouldn’t change it.
Andrea: Rainbow. With some cool prisms.
Adam: I wouldn’t change it either, I like the red.
Jan: Here and there, at the DJ booth, we had this purple light.
Glen: Yeah there is a purple light we like to throw in there too, but it goes good with the red as well. But we kind of like the red I think.
Chris: I think I’d rather it be completely dark. One hundred percent.
Calum: Just one strobe, right in your face.
detroit.dance: With COVID it’s important to have open air events – Which is what you have done at Tangent and the Dequindre Cut. So overall, what are your feelings on the whole transition the industry is doing now with more focus on open-air events?
Chris: I think the only really good option right now is to do it outside. No matter how cold it’s gonna get, you can put on a jacket, you can light a fire, bring some heaters, drink a couple shots of whiskey and dance. That can warm you up. I think being inside anywhere right now is risky. Anything that we can do to keep it outside, we’re definitely going to make that happen because we definitely do not want anybody getting sick at any of our events. It’s a tightrope to walk right now anyways, going anywhere. There’s a possibility of getting infected going anywhere. But at the same time, businesses need to survive. People need to work. People have to go to work and make their money… this is our job and people also need to support their local businesses. Whether it’s stopping by, sitting on the patio, and having a drink, and then leaving… that can help out a lot because after this is all said and done, if we keep doing what we’re doing, there’ll be nothing left.
Jan: People need to enjoy their lives as well and that’s kind of our mission.
Andrea: It’s necessary, especially with all the stress, there’s been a lot of depression and social isolations. If we can do it in a safe, positive manner like we can help each other out. We’re social beings. Of course, only with safe interactions. And I like outdoor venues anyway because they have that renegade vibe.
Calum: I miss sweaty clubs and warehouses for sure, but I do love being outside and in the fresh air. If you can do the sound design right with bringing a big enough rig, it’s still gonna sound good, and the subs will be pushing fresh air, and it feels amazing.
Adam: When it gets dark in the fires light up, it changes everything.
Calum: Yeah, I love it because like you can all cram around the stage, and then you only have to walk 10 feet and then there you go, you’re out into the open, still hear the music, smoke, get a breath of fresh air, take a break. There’s not a real break from the party like if you’re inside of a club, you go outside and then you’re outside the party. The party is now wherever you are close to the stage, and if you want then closer to the fresh air.
Chris: That’s why I like it – instead of being six feet away from people if you want to you can be 20 feet away from people. We all have to go to the store and go get takeout and stuff and it’s hard to say that you’re six feet away from people. When the public’s walking around you people are walking right into your space…and at least at that outdoor electronic music event, if you want to you could be 20 to 50 feet away from people if you want to.
Glen: Yeah, I think, when our home base closed down because of COVID, we were at that moment kind of searching for somewhere we could go and continue what we love to do. We did some socially distanced events at The High Dive and they were fun, but it’s hard to get people there. So when we got the opportunity to do the Dequindre Cut, people were pretty interested in coming down and having their own space and bringing their dogs and it worked out really well.
Calum: That place is a gem.
Glen: So yeah, we’re always interested in something like that. We love being outside anyways.
Andrea: It’s sweet too because we’re right by that bike path. So you get a lot of people that wouldn’t normally stop, coming in and enjoying it.
Glen: We get a lot of older people too. Going like, “Man I really had so much fun in the 90’s listening to this stuff, I didn’t know people still play this stuff.” And we’re like, oh yeah we will be here every Saturday.
detroit.dance: As members of the electronic music community and as a collective, is there anything you feel like we could improve on as a community, or things that we’re doing well as a community?
Adam: From what I have personally seen, just a little too much of a lack of enforcement of indoor safety measures. So I wish that there would be a little bit more interest in that.
Glen: I think something we kind of touched on before which just kind of comes with it is, you know, a lot of people are very clique-y and they’re not super open to other people. Just in general. I feel like it can be very high-school-esque; I think that’s kind of lame. And that’s not how we are. That’s not how a majority of the artists that we work with are, we’re all very open, just very real people. We’re not going to block anybody off, definitely not because we don’t know them… we’re not going to block them off because of the type of music they’re into or anything like that. I think we’re a very open group. And we’re a decently eclectic group as well. We’re open to shooting the shit with anybody. I don’t notice that much with other groups. I’m sure there are groups that are like that, of course. But I think we need some more open community, a more loving community, rather than, “I want to step on your toes to like be better than you”, because that’s not our goal. We don’t want to step on anybody’s toes. We want the best for everybody.
Chris: To bounce off of that, I feel a lot of the industry’s lack of openness has to do with that there really isn’t a real industry in Detroit. Everybody involved is also a DJ or producer, mostly they’re all DJs… the promoters throwing the parties are also a DJ, if they’re doing some kind of a website or something like that like they’re also a DJ, or the people that work in the club or the bartenders they’re also DJs. So what happens is, there’s a conflict of interest because there’s competition with other DJs. To put other DJs onto your event can be kind of a conflict of interest, whether it’s jealousy, trying to gate keep, etc. I think what could be better is for more people that aren’t DJs and artists to get involved in the Detroit industry. Whether it’s a record label or running a blog, or like what you’re doing with detroit.dance is beautiful because you’re not biased towards other DJs in the scene, because you’re not a DJ that’s trying to compete for that spot. It’s hard because there are so many DJs and there’s so few places to play. People might come here during Movement and they think it’s a mecca for electronic music. But really, after that weekend’s over, there’s like three clubs. So there’s three clubs and then there’s 3000 DJs that are all trying to compete. And all the promoters that are putting on those events are also DJs. So that kind of creates a cliqueiness within itself, because now booking outside of your crew, or outside of your people is a conflict of interest. It’s taking away your shine. So I think what can help is to get more of an industry in Detroit, of people that are non DJs that support the scene.
Andrea: I would like to see more collaboration, and less competitiveness. Things are more successful if you can work together, versus working against each other. Maybe this group is connected with these people, our group is connected with these people. Then you’ve got more openness to community. I’m not saying competition is a bad thing either, because that’s what is a driving force too. Creating more venues would be nice, or more platforms to expand our reach.
Jan: I think what can be developed in the future, having to do with COVID is all these outdoor parties, like Jerry [Downey] did or like we are going to do – just to make sure that people still can enjoy and dance and party in a safe manner. I think that’s something that everyone has to consider and maybe develop more spaces to do so in the future.
detroit.dance: If the six of you ended up on a deserted island together, how would that play out?
Adam: We would probably start fighting about who is going to play first.
Chris: I would murder everybody and just be the only person left.
Calum: Me and Jan would make a really big fire right away.
Jan: I would, I would try to make the biggest fire.
Calum: Jan would definitely make a big fire. He wouldn’t look for food and he’d starve to death, but he’d have a big fire. I’d probably cut myself on something. Bleed out, get an infection, and die.
Glen: No, I think we’d do pretty good. I think a lot of us like to be outdoors anyways and we have that natural instinct of being out there being kind of wild, wild people. And I think we’re decently okay with delegating as a group, certain things without getting too butthurt about stuff.
Calum: We’d be democratic until the power goes to my head.
Chris: Glen would try to make love to everybody.
Calum: He’d fall asleep in my arms every night, for sure.
Glen: Everybody gets a piece.
detroit.dance: If you were on a game show as a group, what game show would you be on?
Glen: Legends of the Hidden Temple.
Everyone: That’s the one!
Make sure you check out 5th Dimension’s Destination Detroit (The High Dive), and their SIX Recipes by Request that will be posted on Friday.
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