In the bustling center of Tel Aviv, a young and talented musician named Idan Perez discovered his passion for music and developed an uncanny ear for sound. It was only a matter of time before Perez, now known by his stage name PEREZO, became a prominent figure in the local electronic music scene.
Driven by his talent and relentless determination, Perezo quickly gained recognition not only within his community but also on an international scale. He captivated audiences with his electrifying performances at renowned events such as Rumors, Marco Carola, Hashmaliko, and Flying Circus.
In 2020, Perez took his passion for music to a new level by founding One of Us, a vibrant community of like-minded artists. Together, they organized exceptional music festivals in Israel. Buoyed by this achievement, they expanded their horizons and started hosting parties in exotic locations such as Mykonos and Costa Rica.
Recently, EG had the opportunity to catch up with Perezo and delve into his latest production ‘Michal’, as well as his future endeavors and projects.
EG: Hi Idan! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Perezo: I’m fine, thank you very much for inviting me to be interviewed, happy to be here. I am now in Athens, Greece. I have a show here tonight
EG: You just played in New York a month ago, right? What was that experience like?
Perezo: Yes I played gospel in New York. It’s an amazing place and I haven’t been in New York, I think in 8 years, so it was exciting to see how things have changed and progressed. The city has its own charm and is one of my favorite cities on the planet
EG: How does it compare to the scene in Tel Aviv? What does the scene over there look like at the moment?
Perezo: The scene in Tel Aviv over the last 5 years keeps growing and developing with many artists from around the world coming. I think we are at a good pace, there are still many things to improve and we will be there. The Israeli crowd is a happy crowd so it’s fun to play here
EG: By the way, what were your first steps in Tel Aviv like? How did you get into DJing and music production? What were those first interactions like?
Perezo: I was a DJ first before I started making music. I used to play at The Cat and Dog, and in a few other places where the scene wasn’t the same at the front as it is today. But I continued to persevere, bring my different color and sound and they noticed me because they knew there was something a little different here. Even today I am every day learning, developing, and improving. There is no end to it.
“A lot of music is going to be released in the future, I’m in the studio all day and I don’t stop creating”
EG: Speaking about productions, your last release was ‘Don’t Want’ on YHV’s ‘Indie House Dance Summer 2023’ compilation. What can we expect going forward? Is there anything you can anticipate on that front?
Perezo: Actually there is also another EP that came out on CRRCT VIEW named after my wife ‘Michal.’ A lot of music is going to be released in the future, I’m in the studio all day and I don’t stop creating. I have a release in December on Wyld Card records, and in April after that, I have a release on Blue Shadow Records. The two mini-albums feature music with new sounds that I’ve been playing for six months in clubs and festivals and they’re definitely going to be hits.
EG: Right now, social media seems to be shaping careers in a way that the music, or the actual content can’t…What is your relationship with social media like? How do you navigate these murky waters?
Perezo: The truth is, I have now hired a team that will deal with it and do it in the best way possible. I am an artist and I prefer to deal with art and not let such and such noises disturb me. Of course, I also have to be involved so that it will be authentic and real. The world is progressing and we have to move forward with everything.
EG: Speaking about visual aspects…What do you think about the current trend that has seen these larger-than-life visuals take center stage? Are they overwhelming the musical aspect instead of just “enhancing” the musical experience? Are they the future of electronic music?
Perezo: I don’t look at it as something new because Eric Prydz did it years ago, but now they have taken screens and are promoting it very much. It’s part of a show. I don’t know if it detracts or adds, maybe there are artists who push more underground and there are artists who push it to be photographed correctly and it works for them. I think there is a place for everyone and everyone will bring their own future to electronic music, and this is a lovely thing in my opinion. There is no end to this or that creation. What’s important is that the music must be good, everything else is an accessory.
EG: Also, the incorporation of AI in electronic music seems to be on the rise, whether it is on the music, the album covers, and beyond. Do you have a particular stance on this?
Perezo: I always believe in progress. We used to create music once in a program called Sony’s Acid, and since moving to Ableton things are much easier for us in terms of creating. There are more possibilities and we are progressing both in sound and in performance. The main thing is to keep the most important thing and that is the music. This is my opinion on the matter.
“I am every day learning, developing, and improving. There is no end to it”
EG: What’s next for Perezo? Where can your fans catch you next? What’s still in store for the rest of the year?
Perezo: I have a show in Zanzibar this November, December in Costa Rica and Tulum, and then some gigs in Miami and New York. After that, I’ll head to Paris, and of course, I’m not giving up my performances in Tel Aviv, which I really like.
EG: Thank you for your time, Idan! We’re excited to see what’s in store for you. Take care!
Perezo: Thank you! I will continue to be at the studio and try to continue to bring my sound and color to the fields of the years. And make you happy always!
Perezo’s ‘Michal’ is now available via CRRCT VIEW. Stream and download here.
Follow Perezo: Soundcloud |Spotify | Instagram | Youtube
