As the founder of Sunset Sound System, Galen helped shape a movement by bringing people together in public parks, beaches, and boat decks long before pop-up parties became a trend. What began as Sunday gatherings in Berkeley with a generator and a stack of records has evolved into an internationally respected event series—and the acclaimed Sunset Campout Festival.
Photo credit: Galen – Official
Rooted in San Francisco’s 90s psychedelic scene, Galen developed a style that blends classic disco, post-punk, roots reggae, and house into genre-fluid sets that reflect a deep respect for time, space, and people. His musical selections feel spontaneous yet purposeful—crafted for the moment rather than the ego. As a producer, his collaborations with Claude VonStroke, Justin Martin, PillowTalk, and others reflect a groove-driven, bass-rich approach that continues to evolve.
Now based in Amsterdam, Galen joins EG and Listed for a special ADE 2025 fundraiser in support of children impacted by the crisis in Gaza. In this conversation, Galen opens up about the legacy of Sunset Sound System, the lessons of community, and what he hopes people carry home after a night on the dancefloor.
EG: Welcome, Galen, it’s a pleasure to have you here for this special ADE fundraiser event. We’re grateful for your support. Let’s begin…
Galen: Thank you so much for having me. Appreciate being involved in such a mindful event.
EG: Galen, where are you joining us from today, and how does it feel to bring Sunset Sound System vibes to Amsterdam?
Galen: I’m currently residing in Amsterdam. Although I’m very new here, I look forward to continuing my musical energies as a DJ and music producer by connecting with like-minded people to create enhanced experiences and continue what we’ve established with Sunset Sound System.
EG: The Sunset Sound System has always been about community. How does that philosophy connect with tonight’s purpose?
Galen: Supporting a community creates a collective and exponential energy that truly lifts the people tuned into that frequency. It’s a word that lately is very loosely used to portray a caring system, but is often misappropriated to groups not fully embracing the true meaning. It’s a collective energy that can be used to dispel strife in the world and is an ethos I’ve always lived by.
EG: What’s the most powerful experience you’ve had watching music bring people together in difficult times?
Galen: I believe there are many ways music can bring people together, whether it’s from a collective experience such as a night in a club, an outdoor renegade party, a festival whether in nature or urban, plus so many more concoctions, all having the ability to bring people together not just on the dancefloor but in the overall experience that is based in music. The nature of electronic music is rooted in having communal dance floor experiences, to get out of your day-to-day analytical mind and be more connected to your body and your heart center. This alone can wash away the anxiety of our existence and reinvigorate oneself to be more compassionate to the people around you. Not all dance music events or experiences carry this mindset, given how corporate and egoic the global scene can be. But if you focus on the roots of house music, where it came from, and use that as inspiration in your endeavors, it truly can unite and uplift on a grand scale.
EG: West Coast underground culture has its own spirit. What part of that do you carry with you wherever you play?
Galen: It really does, and it’s something that is ingrained in me and sometimes overlooked as the status quo since it’s where I’ve defined my musical prowess. Even though I learned to DJ from an influence and perspective of Chicago, Detroit, and UK house, there is a groove element that is distinctly West Coast. I’m only made aware of it when someone comments on the uniqueness of the sets I play in other parts of the country and world.
“The nature of electronic music is rooted in having communal dance floor experiences, to get out of your day-to-day analytical mind and be more connected to your body and your heart center”
EG: What’s your personal ritual before stepping into the booth for a meaningful night like this?
Galen: For almost every set I play, I take some time when I’m organizing my music and also before the set to imagine, to the best of my ability, what the party is going to feel like. I ground myself and mindfully transport to what it’s going to feel like and how I want to participate in uplifting the energy that is already there. I take every set seriously and am always prepared to pivot on the spot to what is happening in real time.
EG: Can you recall a track you played that completely shifted the energy of a room in an unforgettable way?
Galen: ‘Sylvester – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’. A San Francisco legend whose song continues to inspire and lift you up almost 50 years later.
EG: How do you hope the crowd in Amsterdam will respond to your set at this fundraiser?
Galen: I’ve played here a couple of times, and both my sets have been well received, so I hope to keep riding that wave of responsiveness by bringing a fun dancefloor vibe rooted in my deep acid house sound and the mixing skills I’ve developed for over two decades.
EG: What’s something you’ve learned from your community in San Francisco that the global scene could benefit from?
Galen: We can all help each other succeed in life, work, and family, and this doesn’t conversely mean taking energy away from your own beliefs and endeavors.
EG: Beyond music, what gives you a sense of hope when the world feels heavy?
Galen: It’s the resilience we possess as humans. Despite the ignorant, close-minded, us-versus-them mentality that can seem pervasive, we also have the ability for deep caring, unbridled creativity, and strength that can be channeled into relentless positivity.
EG: If you had to describe this ADE night to someone in 20 years, what would you say?
Galen: Seeing as this is my first ADE I can only deduce from other experiences and what I’ve read, but the excitement from so many friends and colleagues has me buzzing. So I hope I can remember it being just that—a glorious night of connected dancefloor antics for a wonderful cause.
“Despite the ignorant, close-minded, us-versus-them mentality that can seem pervasive, we also have the ability for deep caring, unbridled creativity, and strength that can be channeled into relentless positivity”
EG: On a personal level, how does it feel knowing that your set tonight will directly support children facing unimaginable challenges?
Galen: As I’ve touched on earlier, supporting marginalized communities and especially children who are faced with so much gloom and doom has me hoping this can help bring even the tiniest bit of relief. But it’s the awareness that it raises that hopefully sparks more people to jump in and help in these atrocities.
EG: When the lights go down and people leave Duke of Tokyo on October 23rd, what’s the one feeling or message you hope they carry home with them?
Galen: I hope there is a feeling that it was an uplifting and connected evening. You meet new people, and we create a collective energy that can be broadcast into the world. Where we inspire each other to bring this goodwill into the rest of our lives and keep spreading it, whether it’s at the grocery store, your workplace, or in all the minute interactions we have daily.
EG: Thank you, Galen, for joining us in making this fundraiser a reality. Your presence means a lot.
Galen: I have only the utmost appreciation for being part of such a special and thoughtful evening. Thank you!
Galen will perform at EG and Listed’s ADE fundraiser on Thursday, October 23rd. Grab your tickets here.
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