Seth: (After some chitchat) Want to get down to it and jump to interview mode?

Gadi Mizrahi: Sure.

Seth: Let’s start by talking a little about the reason we’re chatting. I loved your set/podcast from Bar 13 WLP 90. Can you tell me about what was going on that night?

Gadi: It was a sunset party on a roof in Manhattan.

Seth: What was the crowd like that night?

Gadi: The usual W+L following, with some city folk. Funny story… I followed someone who was playing tech-house which is usually the story. So when I start playing really SLOW, the crowd usually feels strange for a few minutes but that’s kinda my whole MO – take people for a ride.

Seth: So in this instance, Wicked Game was setting the mood and acting a bit like a palate cleanser? Hitting the resest button?

Gadi: EXACTLY the term i use as well. I do that every time I DJ. Some people really appreciate it, some don’t.

Seth: Do you pick your first track based on where the other DJ has been or where you’re headed for the night?

Gadi: I usually try to take in the city I’m in and the crowd I’m playing for and what the crowd has been reacting to (from the previous dj’s). I think the first 2-3 tracks are the most important to set a different tone and usually those are the ones on my mind the 2-3 hours leading to my set time.

Seth: And after that I would assume, especially based on the night in question, everything pretty much falls into place. Once you’re in the pocket, do you steer, does the crowd steer you, or is it a combination? Does it depend on the crowd?

Gadi: Yeah, i start off steering them, then I take cues from the crowd

Seth: Some DJs/producers/labels ect. seem to think only in terms of “electronic or not electronic”. You don’t strike me as one of those people. What are some of your favorite bands/artists?

Gadi: I’m really into J Dilla. Ever since my girlfriend made that podcast WLP091 I’ve been getting super inspired by that sound. I’ve been trying to make that type of shit lately…just to try something new

Seth: Any other influences creeping in or are you pretty focused right now?

Gadi: This band called “Electric Wire Hussle” just came out with an R&B type funk album that’s off the meter.

Seth: Nice. I’ll have to check into that.

Gadi: I live in Williamsburg, the hub of indie rock but i never hear anything from that genre that blows my mind…strange. I mean, I love the simplicity of 3 or 4 instruments, keeping it simple, but it just seems like that genre is regressing not evolving.

Seth: I’ll buy that. I think simplicity and space is what really makes a good track, set, album and so on. What are your thoughts on the current stage of evolution in the world of turntables and dark clubs?

Gadi: Turntables are here to stay. Clubs usually suck. I start feeling uncomfortable after 300 person capacity. The intimacy gets lost and everything sounds boomy.

Seth: Which I assume is one of the reasons the Marcy exists? Can you talk about the Marcy for our readers who might be unaware?

Gadi: Zev and I found this ground floor loft space 4 years ago that used to be a machine repair shop. It was pretty dilapidated when we first rented it. We spent 3-4 months working on turning it into something we could use to throw parties in once a month, to build this community and spread the sound, and have a home for artists we would meet on the road. The dance room is pretty small, fits about 75 people max and the sound system is pretty good. We threw parties here for about 2 years then moved the party to a bigger space, just to realize that we’d much rather be back at the Marcy.

Seth: If pressed, could you pick the best party you’ve had there?

Gadi: The party we threw when the Minimoo festival was falling apart was the best. She didn’t book any of us or our friends, so we (Seth Troxler / Lee Curtiss / Shaun Reeves) threw a party that weekend and stole the show…hehe.

Seth: Were the sets recorded that night? I’d love to hear that lineup.

Gadi: Nope, you had to be there… I like recording sets, but I like not recording sets too.

Seth: I’m sure it was a crazy night. How about the guest who’s wreaked the most havoc there and any accompanying and hopefully embarrassing stories?

Gadi Mizrahi: Not really… The Jamie Jones / Damian Lazarus party was pretty great. It was a bit nerve wracking for me since I knew these guys had more serious draw then the more underground acts i program.

Seth: Was this at the Marcy or during the stretch where you were working in another space?

Gadi: That was at the Marcy in June.

Seth: Any objections to moving on to some W+L questions?

Gadi: Sure

Seth: It strikes me that the overarching philosophy at W+L is something along the lines of “anything we like goes”. Is this the case? Have there been releases or podcasts that you liked but were too far “out there”? Is there such a thing as too far out for W+L?

Gadi: No way. I’m hoping to try to surprise always…and evolve. Ideas and sound..

Seth: What’s the division of labor like at the label? All hands on deck? Specifically defined roles?

Gadi: Zev and I do it all. I do programming, he does design for the site etc…

Seth: I’ll wrap with with 2 more questions.

Gadi: Sure man.

Seth: What were some of your favorite tracks from ‘09 that went too far under the radar?

Gadi: From the label or in general, what I DJ..?

Seth: Whatever comes to mind. I’m not scoring this one.

Gadi Mizrahi: Gimme a sec….

Linkwood – R.I.P (Extended Edit)

Brooks – IWANCHU

Baeka – Right At It

No Regular Play – Owe Me

Seth: And if you’ll forgive a predictable question: What’s on the horizon for W+L in ‘10?

Gadi: Actually we’ve decided to take a few months off. I’m starting a label called “Double Standard Records”. I’m really excited about this, hopefully this one is vinyl only. We’ll see if I can pull off something like that in this market.

Seth: Do you have the first release scheduled? Is there anything specific you want to accomplish with the new label?

Gadi: Well, I’m always looking to tighten things up. I’ve got a group of kids (NRP/Soul Clap, Deniz Kurtel) who are really into taking their productions in different directions. Hopefully more funk and R&B/underground hip hop influences…just pushing the envelope cuz it’s fun, and to stay underground.

Seth: Gadi, I’ll let you go. Thanks very much for your time and giving our blog a little something extra.
(And for all the great tunes)

Gadi: Sure man…thanks for the support, much appreciated. Hopefully some more to come.

Tags: Baeka, Brooks, Damian Lazarus, Double Standard Records, Gadi Mizrahi, J Dilla, Jamie Jones, Lee Curtiss, Linkwood, Marcy Hotel, No Regular Play, Seth Troxler, Shaun Reeves, Wolf+Lamb, Zev Eisenberg