Syd Gris

Founder

One of the longest running fun creators in the Bay Area music and underground arts scene, Syd is known as a Renaissance man of the West Coast burner scene, and with good reason. Not only is he the co-founder (in 2003) of the legendary Opulent Temple collective (best known for their premiere sound stage at Burning Man), he is also founder of Opel Productions, (2002) which has been consistently throwing club events and parties with purpose in San Francisco for 20 years.

He also is a child psychologist with a Doctorate in transpersonal psychology, outspoken promoter on social issues, and of course - a DJ.
On the DJ tip, Syd is known one of the West Coast's top talents with years of quality sets and vibes under his belt. You’ve seen him at Burning Man (of course), but also Lightning in a Bottle, Outside Lands, Bottlerock, Wakarusa, WTFestival, Fabric London, Love Parade and countless more. From Carl, Armin and Tiesto to Gorgon City, Hot Since 82 and Diplo, he's played with everyone and knows what to do with a wide range of dance floor moments.

In his day job, he helps run a mental health clinic in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco that focuses on assessment and treatment of kids in the foster care system, and keeps a part time private practice. He's also a husband and dad with 2 kids in SF public schools.

Links:
Spin article about Syd's role in sound at BM - https://www.spin.com/2015/09/syd-gris-burning-man-interview/

Interview about sound camp history and related topics on Burn.life - https://www.burn.life/blog/interview-with-syd-gris

Copy of a 2009 article that appeared in DJ Mag, an international publication on dance music and it's culture, written by the Editor in Chief at the time-
https://www.opulenttemple.org/dj-mag-feature-on-opulent-temple/