Shlomi Aber Interview: the fun part of being a DJ is to live the moment

In the era of the internet and the crashing down of geographical barriers form a metaphorical vanguard, what has occasionally happened is the steady decline of regional musical palettes. Not so with Israel. A country that has a cosmopolitan influx of different cultures naturally has managed to forge a unique sense of identity in the world of electronic music, with a psychedelic edge to the classic traditions of Detroit and Chicago creating a raft of artists focused on groove and melody.

Alongside his brethren Guy J, Chaim and Guy Gerber, Shlomi Aber has piloted this template across the globe in recent years. Just at home creating sparsely populated grooves as he is sonorous techno, his Dj sets have also spotlighted an effervescent take on dancefloor dynamics. With him scheduled to touch base in Liverpool shortly for Rubix, we caught up with him to discuss the science behind his productions, his past dalliances with the Scouse city and the joys of the late nineties Jerusaelm club scene.

Hi Shlomi, thanks for speaking to us. You’re due to play RUBIX in Liverpool soon. Is it your first time in the city? What can people expect from your set?

Hey guys, thanks for the invitation! No, I have played the city before for Circus, but indeed it has been some time since my last show in Liverpool. I can't really predict what will happen or what I will play, as the fun part of being a DJ is to live the moment and enjoy the thrill. I will go with the flow as I always do, it very much depends on the room and the crowd. But you can expect that it will be very techy and rolling.

How have you found the UK when you’ve been here to visit, and how does it compare to the rest of the globe?

I love playing in the UK, places like London and Manchester have always been good to me. I’m a fan of the general vibe the people here project when it comes to night life, parties under tunnels or street parades. It’s one of those places where that kind of partying and the music as a whole started, so I always enjoy being here.

Where else have you got gigs coming up in the future?

We are still in the summer time, so Ibiza is on the table for few more shows including the closing parties. On top of that I’ve got gigs at Bologna, Rome, Bucharest, Tel Aviv, London and more to look forward to in the next month as well.

Having produced on a variety of labels over the years, are you envisioning a label when you make records? Or is it more a case of placing the finished product somewhere once it’s done?

I never think what I will do with a record while I'm producing it. As is the case with my DJ sets, I don't like pre planning as that can only damaging the art in the music in my eyes. Once the track is finished, my label Be as One will always be the first priority, and then if it doesn't fit, I will then direct it to the label I think can maximize the record and where I feel the music itself will feel comfortable in.

What would you pick out as the remix or production you are proudest of over the years, and why?

That’s like asking a parent which of his children he likes the most!

I like many of them from different reasons, for example ‘Freakside’ because it has become my trademark over the years, or ‘Sea of Sand’ on Cocoon as it’s such an exceptional piece of music. Then there is both ‘Sketches’ and ‘Groove Mechanism’, maybe because I played them the most? It’s a very tough question to answer.

Any other production news for us to look forward to?

Indeed, I have an EP coming up on Ovum next month, followed by a remix for Defected which has a beautiful vocal. And then I’ll close the year with a collaboration with Guti on Be as One.

And finally, dream situation time. You can go back to any period in clubland history, and play at any club. Who would you have playing alongside you and what tune would you drop that would define the evening?

What a great question, I will definitely go back to the human 17 in Jerusalem around 1999. Definitely the best club in the world and probably the best period for music. Which tune will I play? Mmmm, tough one… maybe my old "Basic roots".

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