Renowned for his unparalleled artistry in the underground electronic music scene, Yair Zarmon, the Israeli DJ, producer, and former club promoter, emerges as a captivating force unifying the vibrant realms of Tel Aviv and New York. With a profound ability to fuse these diverse influences into his productions and DJ sets, Yair has become a true visionary in the industry.
From serendipitous encounters with musical luminaries such as Guy Mantzur and Guy J, Yair’s journey as a DJ unfolded organically, igniting a passion for the underground soundscape. Inspired by icons like Sasha, John Digweed, and Deep Dish, he embarked on a quest to create sonic journeys that transport listeners to ethereal realms.
While Yair has graced the stages of illustrious cities like Tel Aviv and New York, he recently embarked on a hiatus, channeling his energy into music production. His latest EP, ‘Paradise,’ has earned resounding acclaim, captivating audiences and critics alike with its versatile elements and enthralling narratives. It is through this ability to merge storytelling with impeccable production that Yair distinguishes himself in the global DJ community.
In this exclusive interview, we explore the intricacies of Yair Zarmon’s musical odyssey as we delve into the depths of his creative process, uncovering the inspirations that fuel his artistry and the vision that propels his forward momentum.
EG: Hi Yair, welcome to EG. Where are you right now?
Yair Zarmon: Glad to be here. I’m right outside of Tel Aviv and enjoying Springtime with the family.
EG: How did growing up in Tel Aviv and New York influence your taste in music, and how do you incorporate those influences into your productions and DJ sets?
Yair Zarmon: Both cities have had a tremendous impact. Israel has been at the forefront of electronic music for decades, and New York, well, is New York 🙂 I’d say that Tel Aviv is primarily responsible for exposing me to progressive house since the early 2000s, but I’ll always cherish New York for helping me curate a taste for almost every other kind of genre in underground electronic music. Being fortunate enough to experience an array of venues in New York over the last two decades, and taking into consideration the evolution of house music over that time period, I’d say that it had a massive influence on my productions and DJ sets.
EG: What was the defining moment that made you want to pursue a career in music, and how did you get your start in the industry?
Yair Zarmon: Even since I was a kid, I always pictured a moment when I would play music in front of a crowd. Whether it was while listening to mixed CDs or live sets, my imagination led me to dream of a day when I would be behind the decks.
I can’t exactly remember what led me to purchase the initial equipment, perhaps a motivation to begin a hobby that I always dreamed would materialize into a full-time career. It was a random message to Guy Mantzur that helped spearhead my first personal interaction with a music producer I had been a fan of, that also led to my very first time playing at an underground club, which also happened to be one of the most sought after venue in Israel for any aspiring electronic music DJ.
EG: Can you describe your creative process when producing music? What inspires you and how do you go about translating those inspirations into your tracks?
Yair Zarmon: I take most of my inspiration from personal experiences and attempt to translate them as best I can in my productions. More often than not, I’ll have a pretty vague idea of the direction I want to take, but that often changes. I also prefer to not listen to any electronic music for a while before producing. I find that it causes me to produce a more generic rather than creative sound.
“Whether it was while listening to mixed CDs or live sets, my imagination led me to dream of a day when I would be behind the decks.”
EG: How do you approach crafting a DJ set, and what are some key elements that you aim to incorporate into your mixes?
Yair Zarmon: I’m a believer in versatile sets. Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy an 8-hour techno set that would normally sound the same to anyone who isn’t familiar with it, but, in my sets particularly, I strive to incorporate a series of emotions that can tell a good story, with the crowd in the passenger seat.
EG: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a DJ and producer, and how did you overcome it?
Yair Zarmon: Time. Juggling family with careers takes a toll on the mental and physical body. I always put family first, but sneak in as much work as an artist as I can.
EG: How has your background in club promoting informed your approach to DJing and producing?
Yair Zarmon: Promoters need to hustle, and so do aspiring DJs. What I learned as a promoter was that hard work and creativity often lead to success, and the same can be applied to producing music. If you don’t put in the 30 minutes, one hour, or 3 hours per day to improve your production skills and creativity, then success will surely be harder to grasp.
EG: Can you talk about the evolution of your sound over the years, and how you’ve grown as an artist?
Yair Zarmon: I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with different sounds, molding them together, and somehow making them work cohesively. I wouldn’t say that my sound has evolved dramatically over the years, but I do think that I am much more confident in getting out of my comfort zone than I was in the past.
“The sheer but subtle changes in emotions that you experience in a good set are so very important, and I think that this is what separates good sets from mediocre ones.”
EG: How important do you think it is for DJs to be storytellers, and how do you go about creating a narrative through your sets?
Yair Zarmon: Storytelling in a DJ set is what first drew me to electronic music. The sheer but subtle changes in emotions that you experience in a good set are so very important, and I think that this is what separates good sets from mediocre ones. As I build a set, I imagine a person who’s searching for something, anything, and eventually finding it. The constant unknowns, obstacles, joy, and excitement that one can experience in that search are the building blocks of the narrative.
EG: What has been the most memorable performance of your career so far, and why?
Yair Zarmon: This is a tough one. I’m going to take this in a slightly different direction and say that it was probably at my house, playing to my best friends who were staying over as a result of a hurricane ravaging their community. Turning frightening moments into joyous ones? I’ll take that as my best performance.
EG: What’s next for Yair Zarmon, and what can we expect from your upcoming releases and performances?
Yair Zarmon: I’m happy to share that a few more releases and projects are in the works for 2023. More on that to come 🙂
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