A dazzling Bedrock release from Israeli shores…
Hi Guy, welcome to the magazine. So tell the DMC World, how did this path to electronic stardom begin, what artists first got you into the dance sound in your native Israel?
“Hello there Dan, I was first exposed to electronic music in late 90’s and fell in love right away, I always loved music but to hear music that is so emotional and that you can dance to it at the same time was like magic! I got to hear more of that music at Love Parade that used to take place in Tel Aviv and I think at that time Trance music was at its best and so original. Also, around the same time I was exposed to the first releases on Bedrock, Hooj and so many other great labels.”
Did you come from a musical family?
“I always knew my family used to have a passion for music and loved it, but no one really turned it into a living. I have a brother and sister and we all learned how to play keyboard when we were at very young age and I remember everyone used to be passionate about what music they loved. It was definitely a big part of our daily life.”
What were the early clubs and DJs you were checking out?
“One of first was actually when John Digweed came over with Phil Thompson (Moonface) to Tel Aviv. I think I was around 17 at that time. When I turned 18 I started going out a lot. There was an age limit in Tel Aviv, but the city had a massive import of DJs, Love Parade etc that I could go to and I didn’t miss any, it was just amazing!”
Was DJing / producing always going to be the career of choice, or did you have other options?
“ALWAYS! I started “trying” to produce when I was 13 and took a DJ course when I was 15. I loved collecting music and playing it to friends. I always had music with me on a Walkman or Discman. I spend loads and loads of time working on music and dreaming about hearing it in a club with people dancing to it. I think I was kind of hypnotized by a dream.”
When did you first become aware of the John Digweed Bedrock sound?
“When “Heaven Scent” came out. It’s like these days, you find something you love and then you research more into it. I was looking for more Bedrock records, more John Digweed mixes, compilations, info, whatever I could find! It was all new, and so good.”
A great new package swinging our way on the Bedrock label, three of the standout tracks from 2011’s brilliant ‘1000 Words’ album. Talk us through the mixes?
“I’m very happy to be on this release with such great artists. To have Hybrid doing a remix of a track of mine is unreal! Sian did a superb job on “My Thought of You”, I love his work, he delivers great drive on all his productions and took my original mix into his own mind and made it a proper Sian track. Kassey Voorn’s remix won last year’s Bedrock remix contest for my “Azimuth” track from “1000 Words”. I think it’s a hard track to remix and he did a great job, he’s a very talented producer and I was really happy to have him on this release.”
Tell us about the recent gig with Digweed at Warung in Brazil?
“Wow…. In Brazil they call it “The Temple” and when you get in there you understand why. It’s not only because the party and the crowd are amazing, the venue itself, the tent, the nature around, the size… its like a monster coming out in the jungle, I had an amazing time there! To play there is a dream, to play there with John is a fantasy! Without question, I hope to go back there.”
What is your current Top 10 you are spinning?
1. Guy J – Shining
2. Andy Ling – Fixation (Guy J Mix)
3. Magit Cacoon & Nunu – Soul Motion (& Me Mix)
4. Guy J – High (Marc Marzenit mix)
5. BP – Ballerina
6. Guy J & Henry Saiz – Meridian
7. Guy J – Soul In Arp
8. Guy J – Pathos
9. Guy Mantzur – Rubber Man
10.Guy J & Miriam Vaga – Fly(Hybrid Soundsystem Remix)
What gig are you really looking forward to playing at in 2012?
“Every gig has something special, I can tell my next one is something I’m looking forward as its a boat party in London. I love the fact you get on the boat and you obviously stay till the end, so you enjoy a proper time out. It’s my second time this year and after last time, I’m sure it will be a fun one!”
What other DJ/producers are doing it in Israel at the moment?
“Israel has great producers such as Guy Gerber, Chaim , Shlomi Aber and Gel Abril, who are all doing great work, you should look out for Guy Mantzur & Sahar Z who already had some great productions last year. Also, some great DJs like Muzarco, Yariv Bernstein and the guys from Punch Music are a great crew of talented people who are building their name right now.”
What is your Guilty Pleasure song?
“One of them is Mattafix – To And Fro.”
How would you describe your DJing and production style?
“I play with Ableton and love the fact you can mix different styles with it. I think it also comes to my productions, I don’t focus on one style, I feel creative and see what comes out. I work sometimes on a deep track, on techno, progressive and can come to downtempo, there aren’t many boundaries to music today and everyone can feel free to do what they want rather than trying to stick to one genre.”
Not many people know this, but Guy J is really good at…
“Cooking. I love the kitchen, for me to make food is same as making music, you create something, its a process and at the end you want to share it and hope the person you give it to, will enjoy it.”
So we come back to yours after the club, what 10 Back To Mine tunes do you play us to carry on the groove?
1. James Holden – Break In The Clouds
2. Daft Punk – Revolution 909
3. Schwanbeck – In Deep Sh
4. Deniz Kurtel – The L Word (Guy Gerber Mix)
5. Lanoiraude – Waitin’ (Charles Webster Mix)
6. 16B – Escape
7. Kevin Yost – Persistence
8. H Foundation – Hear Dis Sound
9. Bedrock – Heaven Scent
10.Soul Providers – Rise (Mas Collective Dub)
What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Hard to answer that, I believe in every track I play at the same time in the same place that it will be the finest one, there is more than 1 best track out there.”
What is next on the production front from you?
“This year I’m starting my own label (a sub-label for Bedrock), so there is a lot of original material that I want to release there. I have done some remixes of a few old time favourites that will come later this year. I can say I’m very excited about the label as it will be a great opportunity for me to deliver more music.”
Guy J
Shining / 1000 Words
Featuring Sian, Hybrid & Kassey Voorn Remixes
1. Guy J – Shining 08:08
2. Guy J – My Thought Of You (Sian’s Telepathic Mix) 07:28
3. Guy J & Miriam Vaga – Fly (Hybrid Soundsystem Remix) 09:25
4. Guy J – Azimuth (Kassey Voorn Remix) 08:08
(Bedrock Digital) BEDGJDIGI01
Release: 16/01/12
