Is there too much public interest on how artists play the social media game; and is music starting to take a back seat? Gel Abril shares his opinion.

Hi Gel, tell us about you

Gel Abril: I am 39 actually turning 40 at the end of December. I am living in Berlin right now. I’ve been DJing since the age of 13 and producing for 13 years now, so quite long time .

What made you get in to dance music?

Gel Abril: I was listening to a specific radio show when I was younger. It was the only one that only one that aired dance music, early House etc. From the first moment I heard the show I would then waiting every day to hear it. I was excited to hear the music. When I was 13 my mom fixed me up a job as an assistant painter during the holidays and I worked the all summer to buy 2 Technics turntables (used). Slowly I started to play for my class mates birthday parties and I also used to travel around with older DJs, helping them out and sometimes playing with them. That’s the story in a nut shell .

Where was your first gig?

Gel Abril: Well my first gig was at age 13 in my home town, Holon, which is 10 min from Tel Aviv. Although I guess the really important one was at 16, playing to 1500 people at the Fifth Avenue club in the city. Back then it was full on excitement, good times!

Talk to us about your latest release and the inspiration behind it.

Gel Abril: My latest release is called Back Up, on Joris Voorn and Edwin Oosterwal’s Rejected label. It was a natural flow, sound wise, from the first release on my label Closed Circuits and was, in a way, going back to my roots production wise. More groove based material that fits great in my sets!

https://soundcloud.com/changeunder/cupremiere-gel-abril-alphabet-rejected

What’s the music scene like where you’re based and how often are you playing?

Gel Abril: I moved to Berlin 3 months ago and I guess some would say is the best place for artists. So many of them are here and it’s a nurturing place for inspiration and creativity. The club scene is basically Friday till Monday, nonstop in most clubs 🙂 Israel is where I am coming from and have played for more than 20 years and its also an amazing place and has a great warm scene of its own. I play every weekend in a different country and I play in Berlin once a month or so.

Tell us about your DJ setup

Gel Abril: 3 cdjs pioneer nexus, 2 technics turntable 1210 Allen & Heath Xone 92 mixer.

Which other DJs or producers are you really liking right now?

Gel Abril: There is a young talent from Poland called Oskar Szafraniec who I signed to my label. He is really good producer. I also like Christopher Ledger and on the DJ front Barac is really great, exactly for my taste.

What’s been your biggest achievement

Gel Abril: I would say to continue to do and live out of what I love the most. That’s the best feeling in the world 🙂

Tell us one thing that’s really pissing you off about the current scene and why?

Gel Abril: Well one thing that bothers me I guess is the whole social media game. There is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and it’s a bit over the top. I’m fully aware that this is part of the scene and everyone does that because its required, but I miss the days when only the music was speaking for us.

What can we expect from you soon

Gel Abril: A new release on Suara, Rejected release coming this week, a remix and ep on my label and a collaboration with Oskar Szafraniec which is something really special. Good things coming next!