Interview with ElNinio for Psyspace

El Ninio named Oren Gilat, 24 years old. Originally from Israel, based between London/Israel these days. Discovered psytrance world being 8 years old child when his dad bought a cd player and got Full Moon 7 as a free gift, the magic happened at the spot. Start djing from age 14 and after some time of fooling around with impulse tracker made the first step at the production world. A faith meeting with Mor Zarbl aka Morpheus 3 years ago helped to make his mind and his way back to the scene. First release coming soon ...played all over Israel and recently discovered the European crowd. London is the first city - many more to come...

How did you first get interested in music? Was it an epiphany or a gradual thing?
Basically psytrance was the first tune I can remember myself listening to.
When I was 7 my father bought a cd player for our living room and got a cd as a gift. It was "full moon 7" (still looking for it ), since then I started listening to the music and collecting it later on impulse tracker which I got from my good friend (moran tnx. for that) and since then it keeps on rolling.

Can you remember the first time you played out? When was it and what did you play?
My first time on a stage was about 10 years ago in a night club called Oven Dush. It was one of the best teenagers clubs in the north of Israel. I was playing psy of course and I just remember that I finished my set with Oforia - alien pump that was unreleased back then.

What and who were your major influences growing up? And now?
I grew up while my father was listening to many classical music concerts. My ant was in the rock side of me and my big sister was listening to all kind of Israeli music.
I had lots of passion to music so I heard all from all.
In the psy side X Dream, Simon Possford and of course Infected Mushroom. These days my influence is coming from all kinds of music spectrum. I like Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Oasis, Depeche Mode. On the electronic side I can name Fatali, Morpheus, Cosma, Protoculture, Blue Haze.

How would you describe your sound? How has it changed and progressed over the years?
These days my sound can be described as the border between Full On to Progressive Psy. I am trying to keep it as clean as possible with aim towards the dance floors. Few years ago it was harder but what can I say. I am probably getting older.

When did you first get interested in producing electronic music? Are you self-taught or did you study? As I said it was always inside me. In Israel when you are 18 you are going for 3 years of army service and so did I, kind of left it behind and after 2 years in around 2004 I met by faith Mor Zarbel (Morpheus) who thought me to use Cubase and took me back into this trip.

What software and hardware do you like to use in the studio?
I have Samson 65a monitors, Yamaha console, Keyboard controller, Presouns & Creamware Soundcards, many Vsts & Samples

What’s been your favorite gig to date? No doubts there was a party in London last summer which started in some forest. After the police shut it down we moved under some highway bridge and I can remember empty dance floor when no music played and with the first kick in a second the dance floor was full. I love it and it was amazing party. I played in bigger ones but the energy of this one was ballistic.

After so many years in the industry, what advise do you have for aspiring club promoters, DJs and music producers reading this? I don’t see my self in a position to give tips yet but the main thing is to do what you like and keep on doing it and be honest with yourself about the results. If it's good some one will like it and you will start rocking.

Who are your tips for the top in 2008? There are 3 of them:
Morpheus – one of the biggest talents I have ever heard. Be ready for him.
Metaphase – his album gonna break some floors for sure.
Fatali – his 4th album is coming out soon. Heard parts of it - really really good !

CHECK OUT ELNINIO MUSIC HERE.