Ido Morali [Interview]

Ido Morali is an Indie Dance and Electronica music DJ and producer based in Tel Aviv. Morali, one of Tel Aviv’s most esteemed DJs began his career ten years ago as the resident of one of Tel Aviv's leading underground clubs, the Bootleg. At the age of 22, he continued to hone his craft at Beit Maariv, sharing the booth with some of the world's finest DJs. Since then, he continues to play important clubs and big stages in Israel and beyond, alongside artists such as Dixon, Âme, Guy Gerber, Whitesquare, Moscoman, Jennifer Cardini and more.

Ido is the founder and content manager for Tel Aviv's well-respected Mondo 2000 club and is part of the pioneer "Gavoa" collective. He is also an integral part of the "Rabbits in the Sand" Israel Burn camp, known for it's music.

He constantly strives to improve upon his already impeccable technique; This together with his broad musical style ranging from pure House, Acid and Groove, results in memorable gigs at colorful clubs and festivals around the world such as "Circo Loco", "Lunar" "Disco Halal" more.

With a recent contribution to 01FRBL's 'The Sound of Tel Aviv' collection, Progressive Astronaut caught up with Ido to learn more about the release of ‘To Carry On’, his studio process, inspirations, and more. Enjoy.

Hi Ido, thanks for joining us today. What is your current mood and what was the last piece of music you listened to?

The mood is excellent, lots of work and lots of releases that should come out soon, at the weekend I will celebrate my birthday at the Slippers club and host the pair of deejays from Mexico who are my good friends - Paulor & Kalexis alongside the local Israeli Dj’s Uriah klafter and Sassi

How has your spring been so far and what are your plans for this coming week?

The spring was great like every season there are ups and downs and this is our profession but I enjoy every moment and am happy to play in front of an audience that comes every week to the parties

Tell us about growing up in Israel, how did that affect your journey into electronic music, and who from your home country inspired you when you first discovered your love for electronic music?

Electronic music met me from a very young age and over time it met me in clubs, it went through a lot of gunners until I got to a place where I feel the most fun and right for me and the inspiration for the way of creating is completely the duo Red Axes who opened the gunner in my country and they are quite groundbreaking for me who always reinvent themselves And it's fun to see them.

What are some of your best memories from first going to clubs? Were there specific nights or sets that really made you feel you wanted to pursue electronic music?

The truth I will say, Jennifer Cardini Day opened up the feeling for me to engage in this thing. Her presence in the position of charisma and music is something quite unusual. She is quite one of my favorite Dj’s in the world

If you were a tour-guide for nightlife in Tel Aviv, what would be the clubs you’d take the people to see and what local DJs do they need to hear?

So, as diners, I would take them to Mondo2000, which is a restaurant club that combines food and a party, to Sleepers, Drama, Shallvata, and also to a club that was renovated from the old breakfast, today called Alter. The artists I would highly recommend are Magit Cacoon, Uriah Klapter, Sassi, Chaim and more. The truth is that electronic music in Israel is quite a hit.

If you are not DJing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

Focused on fitness and wellness.

When you were first getting started in production did you have someone help you or are you completely self-taught? And what would you recommend new producers do to help with the learning curve of production?

I would recommend starting artists to believe in themselves and go with it to the end. Yes, I was helped by many colleagues like Niv Ast and Lonya.

You have a new track ‘To Carry On’ out now via 01FRBL, tell us about it and how it showcases your current sound.

The trippy sound that attracts more to the expanses of sunrises is what gave me the inspiration to create the track and it very much connects to the sound I'm looking for and playing

What does writing a track look like for you? Could you walk us through the production process on ‘To Carry On?

Writing the track starts with the kick and the bass, which for me is the most important thing for the rest of the track, after that I look for the hook in the track that will continue and give its uniqueness

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate later on? And how much improvement and refinement do you personally allow until you’re satisfied with a piece?

A track ends, I send it to colleagues who are my friends and who will listen and give their opinions and also to consult with them. As soon as I feel complete with the track, I release it to the world

What task do you enjoy the most when producing and what would you prefer someone else to do?

I prefer another person to do the mix for the track, who will listen and give his tone.

Now let’s talk about DJing for a moment, it’s a unique discipline at the border between presenting great music and creating something new with it, between composition and improvisation to an extent. How would you describe your approach to it? And does this vision translate as a duo?

In my sets I look for something new, that moment when the audience will go home and I'll arrive, I heard something special here that will accompany them on the way back from the party, sometimes it turns out for the best, but sometimes it also doesn't connect and that's perfectly fine

How does the decision-making process work during a gig with regards to wanting to play certain tracks, the next transition and where you want the set to go? How far do you tend to plan ahead? Or do you at all?

I quite like not coming with a pre-prepared set, I think it's too robotic and prefer to come freestyle because that's how I feel the audience and what's appropriate at that moment and not to go back on sets.

Can you tell me a bit how your work as a Dj Has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

I started being a deejay before I got to the studio and made music as a producer, I wanted to get to the point where I know and know what fits and what characterizes me in terms of sound and that way I could approach production in a more correct way, there are people for whom this approach is more suitable but I know quite a few who started the opposite way And in my opinion there is no right way for this, everyone should know what suits them best

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists?

Red Axes

Roman Flugel

Ivan Smagghe

Patric baumel

Manfredas

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

I really like art and fashion and really connect with sports

What does the remainder of 2023 hold for you guys? Anything you want to share with us?

The Midburn Festival that takes place every year in Israel which is similar vibe like Burning Man.

'To Carry On' is available now via 01FRBL: https://bit.ly/3oSDpLr