What A Guy

Israel's Guy J (it stands for Judah) saved progressive house, bringing back the melody while mixing in techno and ambient elements. As such, the DJ/producer is a welcome visitor to Australia – and, on his sixth tour, he'll play Rainbow Serpent Festival 2013. “Australia is one of my favourite destinations,” Judah enthuses. “I just told my lady a couple of hours ago that, if Australia wasn't that far away, I would love to live there. I think the scene is great.”

Though Judah's home is Tel Aviv, he now resides in Europe. “I've been in Belgium for the last few years and recently decided to stay here. Antwerp is a small city with a relaxed vibe and in the centre of Europe, so travelling is not so hard when I'm playing in this area of the world. It's also good coming home to a more relaxed place.”

Judah, renowned for anthems like Lamur, has been releasing music since 2006. Into progressive trance before discovering techno and deep house, he experimented with production as a teenager. Yet today Judah is indebted to Brit progressive pioneer John Digweed, who gave him his big break at 21 by signing Save Me to Bedrock Records. Judah has remained loyal to the stable, even issuing two 'artist' albums including his debut, 2008's ambitiously sprawling Esperanza. And Digweed has proven a generous benefactor. “I learned that it is good to support other artists, good to give and listen to advice. Competition is not so healthy when you don't want to share your knowledge and always have your head in the sand. John is one of the nicest people I've met.” Nevertheless, Judah has also aired music via Hernán Cattáneo's Sudbeat, Tiga's Turbo, Funk D'Void's Outpost and Sven Väth's Cocoon – evidence of his cross-appeal. 

Last July, Judah introduced his own label, Lost & Found, under the Bedrock umbrella, disseminating music by himself (cue his current single Vaga/We Do It Best) and the '90s US deep houser Kevin Yost. Lately, he hosted its inaugural showcase at London's Egg nightclub. “For now there are great responses – a lot of support from big names and from upcoming artists. To have Kevin Yost on my label is a gift. Kevin is an amazing producer – and the fact that he agreed to release [music] on Lost & Found gives me more confidence in what we are trying to achieve. For 2013 the first release will be a track by BP, who is a Belgian artist. His track Inspirado Por Usted is one of the best pieces of music I've heard for a long time. After that, I have another great release by Guy Mantzur & Sahar Z, and then I have something special from a rising star named Navar, who is another producer I'm happy I've got to know.” What's more, Judah is working towards his third album – the follow-up to 1000 Words – for this year.

Judah is linked to prog, but in interviews he identifies himself broadly as house. That said, he's mentioned dubstep as an influence, albeit a subtle one. “I always change my sound. I don't decide what I'm going to produce in advance, I just sit down and start to make music with no plans.”

Israel is a major hub for psy-trance, with Infected Mushroom virtually pop stars. Ironically, as Judah prepares for the traditionally psy Rainbow Serpent, he admits to not being massively into the sound. Instead, at Rainbow, Judah will be repping a groovy alternative, together with the emotronica Nathan Fake. “I don't follow the psy-trance scene much, to be honest, but I used to hear it in the past, so it will be interesting to see where it has developed and progressed to.” Judah, who uses Ableton to DJ, and drops custom remixes, has another reason to look forward to the iconic fest. “I've heard so much about it – and it's the first time I'm playing open air in Australia, so I'm waiting to see how you're doing it over there. I have a lot of new music ready and I can't wait to play it out there!”

Guy J will be playing the following dates:

Friday 25 January - Rainbow Serpent Festival, Melbourne VIC
Sunday 27 January - The Greenwood, Sydney Australia