Interview with DJ AroZe about his life in music

Hailing from the melodic hotbed of Tel Aviv, Ofri Gayus aka AroZe came up through the progressive underground with impressive releases on top and leading labels such as Steyoyoke, Plattenbank Records, ICONYC Music, Manual Music and more.
AroZe draws inspiration from a range of musical styles that have influenced him on his global travels, both in front of and behind the DJ decks. Fans and contemporaries noted a distinctive sound and pristine polish to his creations, mainly between Progressive House and Melodic Techno, AroZe’s music tends to permeate both scenes rather effectively.

Starting his path under the guidance of top artists like Stereo-Underground, Khen, and Audio Junkies. As well as being supported and played by highly respected artists and DJ’s such as Maceo Plex, Hernan Cattaneo, Paco Osuna, Eelke Kleijn and Rafael Cerato just to name a few.

AroZe steps making him one of the top newcomers of these last years. While paving his early steps in the global scene, the road towards the peak seems inevitable.

We were lucky enough to get the chance to talk to Ofri about his life in music and we got to know him on a more personal level.

Tell us about your earliest musical memory?
Well,  I am referring the question to my earliest electronic memory 🙂

When I was a little kid, around 10-11 years old, I was touring the states for the first time with my family in a big RV, I had my compact disc player with me and I was playing the “Discovery” album by Daft Punk over and over. Of course, my musical taste has changed a lot since then but I can still whistle today most of the melodies from that album.

At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself, “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”
It started from disco vibes for a brief moment and continued to Pryda and deadmau5. From there it started to kick into the vibes and melodies of today. I think it’s crucial for an artist to be loyal to his inside feeling –  if it doesn’t feel right, it ain’t right. So I’m guessing it’s safe to say that I had this feeling pretty much a lot and it’s changed from time to time.

Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
I’ll go from the present to the past 🙂

1. Pryda – Opus.

2. Eminem – Relapse

3. PLASTIKMAN – ‘SHEET ONE’

4. N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton

5. Michael Jackson – Off The Wall

What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?
Well, I’m using mainly my Moog for the basses and FX and the Snow Virus for leads and pads. Other than that, I  use several intense Vst’s by Arturia and usually synthesize a lot of my sounds myself via Analog etc.

What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?
Let me rephrase it – What am I’m doing when my motivation to create is a little low? I have an excellent two answers for you:

1. The movie Whiplash (If you haven’t seen it – GO NOW..) – “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job”..

2. Every movie that has soundtracks by Hans Zimmer.

Other than that, other forms of art, usually spice up the imagination.

What is your opinion on the ever-spreading sub-genre vine? Are there too many? Do you think there’ s perhaps a sub-genre that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
Eventually, Electronic music is electronic music, you can name it ‘this’ or ‘that’ but four on the floor will be four on the floor.

I think that 2019 is defined by mega DJ’s, and every mega DJ has its own niche and from there a sub-genre is growing.

It’s not bad but eventually, it will unite under one big headline – Electronic music, as always.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
At first, I started my path as a DJ, from there I took a break to explore what it means for me to create my own sound, so I can say that my choice will be to play my own music that I created in my studio in front of a crowd.

As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
The music business is like any other business, If you’re a friend of this guy and connected to the other guy your chances to get played and heard is bigger than your fellow mate that doesn’t know them.

But If you believe in Karma and have strong goodwill, I believe you can achieve success (Of course that success is a relative concept 🙂

I would personally like to give the young DJ’s the chance to play in front of a big audience, and I hope to do so in real life. Maybe one day I’ll have enough money and time for it – to build a rookie stage and move it from one big club to another all over the world and let young and talented DJ’s & producers get the exposure they need..

Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?
They aren’t so “upcoming”  but already established – but I really think Township Rebellion are the best producers out there today. I think they will be at the peak of the top a few years from now.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Well, keep checking my profiles as I have a lot of releases on the way, and today I just finished a 3-track EP that is on his way to a huge German label so, a lot is in front of us.

Famous last words?
Young is the future.

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