This post is also available in: Nederlands (Dutch)
During ADE 2015 Israeli DJ/producer Guy J did a few shows in Amsterdam. A few weeks before we had a short chat about his first gig. “The crowd was young, open minded and hungry for new music.”
“My first gig was in Amsterdam of course! Where-else could it have been? (laughs) “So, not very surprising. I was 21 years old at the time and very nervous.”
Love for music
“The crowd was young, open minded and hungry for new music. I had brought along four friends for some moral support. I wasn’t really interested in impressing women at that time. Music was all I cared about. Everything I do, is out of love for music.”
Over and over
“I had prepared my set very well at home, by listening to new tracks over and over again. All with the goal of accomplishing the perfect musical journey.”
John Digweed
“You wonder if I had a mentor or teacher? Not really. In those days, I just listened a lot to many well-known DJs. Especially John Digweed’s show on Kiss 100 FM has been a huge influence on my own development.”
Self-confidence
“That first gig was mega! I immediately understood what makes The Netherlands so unique. It made me happier and it tasted like more. I’m glad to say that I didn’t make any huge mistakes. I did learn that it’s wrong to think that a lack of confidence is a bad characteristic. Because it’s not. The most important thing I learned that night is that I have to be original every time again.”
“Among other places, you can see me during ADE in the Recycle Lounge. Recently I had another fabulous night at that venue.”
This interview is originally published on DJMag.nl October 8th 2015.
More Guy J?
The true beauty of electronic music is that it has no limits. It exists to be molded into whatever the creator desires. Few embrace this luxury with more precision and care than Tel Aviv’s Guy J. Over the past decade Guy J’s seminal sounds of the moment have extended infinitely and will transcend beyond even his wildest expectations. With origins from the heart, Guy J’s sculptures of melody have developed a soul and a prolific life of their own. Inspired by a simple desire to be a part of Tel Aviv’s flourishing club scene, famous for it’s wild enthusiasm and uninhibited atmosphere, Guy launched his music-writing career at the early age of 14. Voluntarily confined to his home studio—aptly named “The Cave”, Guy worked tirelessly to develop his skill set and still approaches each production as if it were his first.
From a dance floor perspective, Guy’s unearthly DJ mixes have helped propel his prominence globally. Guy has the freedom to melt together melodies from all genres thanks to his production prowess and masterful touch with Ableton’s revolutionary software. There are few as proficient in the art of progressive DJing as Guy J. Opening major events for John Digweed. Spinning back-to-back with all-time great, Hernan Cattaneo. Headlining gigs around the globe, most notably in the house music oasis of Argentina, where Guy has reached a level he thought he could only dream of. His list of ultra-impressive accolades is extensive and continually growing, yet Guy J remains his emotional and modest self. It’s impossible to find even the slightest bit of pretentiousness in either Guy’s personal or professional approach.