Guy Gerber Interview

With the freedom and non-conformism he brings to Electronic music, Guy Gerber is one of the most captivating DJs to watch and listen to. Born in Israel and growing up listening to Joy Division and My Bloody Valentine, his ability to avoid being completely overwhelmed by whichever scene he is in has resulted in a range of beautiful records and a live act that is one of the best to grace the festival and Ibiza circuits. Now with his own Supplement Facts label, Gerber has previously released on John Digweed’s Bedrock imprint and Sven Vath’s Cocoon. He now runs the hottest new night in Ibiza, Rumors, and is working with one of the most surprising people in the industry – Hip-Hop mogul, P Diddy. With all of this to discuss, we had a chat with the synth-loving musician about the future of Ibiza, his ultimate closing party line-up, and what makes an amazing party.

Hi Guy, where in the world are you right now?
Currently in the living room in Ibiza with my assistant.

The European festival season and summer is kicking off already with some amazing events, many of course you’re involved with. Are there any in particular you’re most looking forward to?
Secret Garden festival was by far the best festival I’ve been to in a very long time. Loads of people, great crowd, all the stages had the right amount of space in between and I even hosted my own Wisdom of the Glove stage. I was with a great group of friends that really made the experience special.

The line-up at Tribes Festival, in our opinion, was one of the best of the season. What do you personally get out of playing live that you don’t from a DJ set? Playing a DJ set allows you to read the crowd and change it up accordingly; do you have this freedom with your live sets or do you have a strict plan to stick to?
Usually I only have a plan for the beginning then figure the rest out as I go along. That particular festival, I played a DJ set. I was given a huge glass of vodka that spilled onto my laptop and stuck to my keyboard and mouse pad. I couldn’t change the track and had to put a loop on. We tried to get someone to come play earlier since I was really stuck. Finally I worked it out with a mouse pad. It was quite a situation!

We saw your interview with P Diddy and love the story of your first meeting. Is there much on the cards for this summer with him? Can we expect a back-to-back set with P Diddy at one of your many Ibiza residencies?
Back to back sets happen in the moment, it shouldn’t be planned and that’s when it works best. Hopefully Diddy and I will be at the same place at the same time and make it happen. Maybe at Burning Man…

Moving onto your Ibiza residencies, it’s sad about Plan Be recently, but you still have Pacha and Space this summer as well as jetting around Europe and the US. Do you get much time to enjoy each show, or are you just in and out? Are there any DJs you’re particularly looking forward to playing with and are there any parties you’re planning on checking out that you’re not playing at?
In August, we’re doing Rumors in the forest right outside Chicago and I’m playing with Moodymann and he’s a big inspiration of mine – I’m really looking forward to it. To be honest, when it’s my show I don’t always enjoy it because I’m hosting. But since we’ve started the new Rumors Ibiza party and Beach House, it’s been really fun with a great vibe.

Who’s your favourite new producer or DJ that you recommend we should make an effort to catch this year?
Chaim is one of my favourites; he’s not so new but lately has been producing great stuff. Bed Room, this 17-year-old Indie producer, is someone I’ve been really into. I plan on working with him on some stuff in the future. Such a talented young guy and I see a lot of potential.

Pacha and Space have huge reps and amazing line-ups all summer, do you adjust your set and sound depending on the other DJs playing? Do you find the crowd changes much between each party or do you see the same faces?
In general, I’m trying to build a night that’s in one musical direction. Sometimes when people are playing stronger or different than what I plan, I will adjust. I see the same faces, but it’s so nice to have people wanting to be there consistently, I make sure to change it up for them. I’m always working on new aesthetics.

In your opinion, how do each of the nights remain unique and come back so strong from year to year?
I think since a party is still a party, the best way to get better and better is to create different illusions in people’s minds so they always have a different perspective. Anyone that knows me knows there will always be a lot of drama in what I do. I’m never worried, sometimes interesting people show up to play, sometimes the parties get shut down, sometimes girls take their clothes off, sometimes the party continues for days, but in the end I’m always committed to come up with something new.

Do you think any of the new club nights in Ibiza will be around in ten or twenty years and stand as strong as nights like We Love, Defected or Circo Loco? If so which ones and why?
The good ones will stay of course. Something like Circo Loco is like a religion over here in Ibiza and will stay forever. Some brands move from one place to another and it’s not always a good thing. I definitely see some brands that are dying and some will stay for a long time – I just hope it’s the good ones.

Where is your favourite club or party in the world and what is it that makes it so special?
I love playing at Warung in Brazil. I’d have to say, and sorry for sounding like I’m promoting myself, but the best crowd and vibe is Rumors in Ibiza. It’s stylish and a beautiful set up. It’s free so anyone can go and it’s in front of the gorgeous water of Ibiza. The fact that it’s on Sundays makes people arrive very fresh and not feel too committed; it’s carefree. You can dance or take off your shoes and walk on the beach. You can get drunk or just be entertained by your surroundings. The most important thing, excuse me for saying this, but there’s loads of women. It’s the most important aspect of a party, even though I care about the music just as much. It starts early and I can build the party from the beginning

Who would be on your ultimate Ibiza Closing Party Line-up?
Me, Grace Jones, Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Lana Del Rey (only because I heard she sleeps with a lot of people in the industry) Karl Lagerfeld, David Lynch, David Bowie, Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson, Al Pacino and Ricardo Villalobos.

If you could ask one question to any other DJ/producer or musician, what would it be?
How do you feel when you know you’re not playing well and people are still clapping?

Great! Thanks, Guy!

Listen to Guy Gerber & Dixon ‘No Distance’ below: