Interview with Israeli DJ sensations Soulico

Hip hop, electronic, dancehall, funk, pop, reggae, Middle Eastern folk- you name it, the incredibly talented and creative Soulico incorporates it into their unique sound.  Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, the four-man DJ collective traveled to snowy Denver to play a Halloween show at The Walnut Room.  Eyal Rob (DJ Rob) took some time to chat with me about making music, performing in the United States, and more.

Soulico arrives in Denver and is greeted by cold weather and snow, which is quite a change from the sunny skies in their hometown of Tel Aviv.   "All I have is this little, tiny, thin coat," Rob admits.  "I'm actually petrified at the thought of going out there in the street."  I laugh empathetically.

I must admit I'm a bit nervous for this interview.  I'm not worried about the actual conversation with Rob, but about the writeup that will follow.  Rob is an accomplished music writer, who contributes to several Israeli publications and even edited a book.  He is a real music writer and I'm concerned that he'll find my amateur writing lousy.  In addition to writing, Rob founded Israel's most popular music website and blog, as well as Israeli music channel, Channel 24.  He is one busy guy.  "I have my laptop and wherever the wireless runs, I'm ready to work," he tells me.  "I do work on the plane, it's like killing time for me."

Rob isn't the only one in the crew who is successful outside of Soulico- Ido Saar (DJ Wido) writes and produces songs for top Israeli artists, Ronen Sabbo (DJ Sabbo) has received numerous gold records as a song-writer and producer for Israeli artists, and Michael Emmeth (DJ Shimmy Sonic) won the Best Sound Design award in 2006 at the prestigious Jerusalem Film Festival and has been nominated in the past for the Best Sound Design award from the Israeli equivalent of the Academy Awards.

So how did the four luminaries come together?  "We started as friends, we knew each other for a long time," Rob details.  "Separately we DJed a lot of different places in Tel Aviv, then we eventually found ourselves DJing in the same party towns saying, 'Oh guys let's do something'.  That was the birth of Soulico."  It was a wonderfully smooth, natural integration.  "It created a monster...fortunately.  From that point on we carried on as DJs, but we wanted to do our own music. The rest of the DJs try to play their own style, we actually made our own style."

Soulico's sound is so unique, I have a hard time imagining there is anything else like it, in Tel Aviv, or really anywhere.  "In Israel, in Tel Aviv, we were the first ones to blend a variety of styles starting from hip hop, and to mix it up with reggae, dancehall, funk, electronic, drum and bass, and so forth," Rob describes.  "We made it a hybrid of non-generic music, basically for the ladies.  You know, if you move the ladies, the boys will jump on stage."   I agree and we both laugh.  When you listen to their music, it's easy to see that the group is all about having a good time.  "We just keep it fun," Rob says.  "We try to be professional while doing fun, though, that's when the hard work comes in."

When it comes to their musical influences, Soulico doesn't limit themselves to one style.  "First of all you have to keep an open ear and an open mind.  Don't narrow yourself into one genre," Rob describes.  "Good music is good music.  It's not generic, it's good music.  That's my favorite genre, whatever that is- it can be African, it can be Moroccan, it can be Arabian."  For Soulico, growing up in Israel contributed to their broad musical tastes.  "The major influences, besides the music made in the US or Europe, is the Mediterranean," Rob explains.  "I'm not going to sell hip hop to Americans, you guys do it way better than we do.  It was essential for us to come up with our own sound.  We are influenced by Middle Eastern instruments and elements.  By listening to a lot of music and dealing with music in different ways and forms- that is the Soulico sound."

Soulico released their debut album, Exotic On The Speaker, on JDub Records earlier this month.  So how did they celebrate?  "Actually we celebrated by touring, I think that's the best way," Rob construes.  "To put in the hard, hard labor and not just sit at home saying, 'Yeah, I did it, I made an album'."  That's not to say that Soulico isn't excited about, or proud of, the album.  They are just trying to stay grounded.  "It's a dream come true, but the hard work is just about to start," Rob predicts.  "We are glad that we get the chance to support the tour in the US and to actually go on a tour not only as DJs, but as artists pushing the new album."

Soulico goes out of their way to distinguish their live performances from other DJs that control their music onstage strictly by using software.  "We try to keep it live and unique and have a real show," Rob says with passion.  "Every show, the music is an interaction with the crowd.  So we have the ability to stretch and shorten the music the way we feel it right then, rather than just playing the song that you know from the record.  That's us, we're always trying to push things forward."

The United States is much different from Israel, but Soulico likes touring here.  "I really, really, really have a great time every time I come here," Rob proclaims.  "I really love America and I think it's an amazing and diverse country."  So how do shows here differ from shows at home?  "In America, the way we DJ is much different than the way we DJ in Tel Aviv,"  Rob points out.  "In Tel Aviv if I go on the mic, people will look at me and say 'Shut the f*** up, play the music man!'  Here a DJ grabs the mic and talks to the crowd."  It took some getting used to, having to talk onstage, but Rob admits he now enjoys it.  "Once we just let it go, it's actually kind of fun," he says.  "Yesterday we had a show in Seattle and we went crazy.  I was jumping and dancing onstage, doing things I wouldn't even dream of doing in Tel Aviv.  When we come to the US, since it's totally fresh, we get excited before each and every set, you know?  You're heart's pumping and you feel the stress in a good way.  It's creative pressure."

Being on the road and away from home can be tough for touring musicians, especially when home is halfway across the world.  I'm curious to know what Rob misses most about Israel when he's traveling.  "Hummus, definitely," he responds immediately.  "I also miss Tel Aviv, and my cat."   He pauses, then quietly adds, "I have sort of a new girlfriend, so I'm feeling a new kind of missing."  He seems slightly embarrassed, but I assure him it's adorable.  "I'm sounding like a sixteen-year-old right now," he laughs.  "But actually I miss Tel Aviv- Tel Aviv is my city.  But it's not like we've been touring for months, so you keep yourself busy on tour and thank God we have the internet now so we actually can keep up with everything."

Tonight is Halloween and Soulico has big plans of performing in full costume.  "Hell yeah we are [dressing up]," Rob boasts enthusiastically.  "I think my manager got us some wicked costumes.  I told him bring something with feathers, I don't care what."  I'm happy to hear that they will be in the Halloween spirit and also that they plan on bringing down the house.  "We're definitely going to rock the party, we've actually been waiting for this party," Rob states.  "Ever since we started in D.C., LA, and Seattle, we were talking about how we're going to party in Denver.  So come on let's do it."

 As our captivating conversation comes to a close (Rob is one of the easiest and most intriguing people to talk to), I thank him for making time for our interview.  He overflows with gratitude as he thanks me for taking time to care about his music.  It's obvious that Rob's intelligence and dedication will continue to make him successful, in Soulico and beyond.  Now I just hope that he approves of my article.

Be sure to check Soulico out at the Walnut Room tonight.  Doors open at 8:30pm and the show starts at 9:00pm.  Tickets are $12.00 and you must be twenty-one or older to get in.  Remember to wear your costumes- and your dancing shoes. 

For more info: www.jdubrecords.org/press/soulico

Photo credits: Promotional pictures of Soulico from www.jdubrecords.org

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