Tel Aviv-based DJ/producer Guy J, who is known for his spate of releases on John Digweed’s Bedrock label and helming the Lost & Found imprint, is heading across the Atlantic this week to play a trio of DJ dates in Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Montreal.
“It’s going to be the second time for me [DJing] in Philadelphia and Washington, DC,” he shares via e-mail from the road. “The [dates] I have [played in the past were] great — good crowds and good clubs so I’m looking forward to play[ing] there again and get[ting] to meet more people.”
Montreal is a bit of a different story for him. “I’ve played some of my longest sets there and I love it! Stereo is one of the best clubs in the world for me and the AIM Festival is a new experience that I’m really happy to be part of.”
In July the Israeli mixmaster will embark on a tour of South America. The run includes four dates in Argentina. How did Guy become so popular in that country?
“The feeling you get in clubs is much more intimate and you feel connected with the people — even if it’s two or three thousand people in a club it’s still connected. The festival experience gives a new dimension to your music, but clubs are the real deal.”
“The Argentinians are very, very passionate people,” he estimates. “I think the most passionate in the world from what I know and my music has a lot of emotions and that’s something that connects with the people I think. I get a lot of messages from Argentinian fans about how the music affects their life and is part of their life.”
Although Guy is booked to play Paul van Dyk’s We Are One Festival in Berlin and the Extrema Festival in Holland, his current itinerary is focused on clubs. He says playing for mass crowds is fun but nothing beat commanding a dance floor at a club.
“The feeling you get in clubs is much more intimate and you feel connected with the people — even if it’s two or three thousand people in a club it’s still connected. The festival experience gives a new dimension to your music, but clubs are the real deal.”
As he jets around the world this summer, Guy’s other priority is finalizing his next artist album. Though he won’t say if the full-length will include any guests, he confirms “it is all original music by me for now.”
With this month seeing Lost & Found issue Roger Martinez’s “Downriver” / “Trans” on June 29, the label also has a remix package of Guy Mantzur & Sahar Z’s incredible Time album, the return of Brooklyn producer Brian Cid to the fold and what Guy describes as “a beautiful track by Bluesoul and many more things” on the horizon.
“I want all the tracks to be out there for people to hear,” he concludes, “because I know Lost & Found is going to give real music to the industry.”
Guy J plays Flash in Washington, DC on June 25, Hacienda Lounge in Philadelphia on June 26 and AIM Montreal Music Festival on June 27. His five-date South American tour begins at La Feria in Santiago, Chile on July 15.