From his early days as a budding DJ and producer, Shahar has quickly emerged as a promising figure, gracing stages alongside industry legends and captivating audiences with his craft.
We sit down with Shahar Shitrit, a rising star in the electronic music scene, to explore the journey that is leading him to thrive. Shahar traces his initial foray into electronic music back to his formative years, where the influence of New York City’s vibrant nightlife scene, coupled with the sounds of iconic DJs like Danny Tenaglia and Carl Cox, sparked his passion for house, tribal, and techno.
Shahar’s reach extends to international stages, where he continues to captivate audiences with his infectious energy and eclectic sound. From opening for renowned DJs and producers such as The Martinez Brothers and Joseph Capriati, to spinning tunes at exotic locales like Bali, Indonesia, and even hosting his own parties, Shahar’s performances are transcending geographical boundaries, forging connections with music lovers around the world.
In this exclusive interview, you’ll discover Shahar’s nomadic spirit and insatiable thirst for exploration, evident in his willingness to delve into diverse cultures and embrace new musical landscapes.
EG: Hi Shahar, it’s great to have you here. Let’s dive into your journey. How did you first find your way into the world of electronic music, and who were some of your early inspirations?
Shahar: Hi EG, how’s it going? Thank you for having me. Around HS time, my cousin Idan moved to the United States, and he would spend his weekends in Crobar and Pacha. At that time, he would come back with CDs of his favorite DJs’ mixes such as Global Underground & Carl Cox Radio, where he would host amazing artists. At the time, I already had my first setup at home, and we would sit and listen to tracks by Danny Tenaglia & Victor Calderone, which were his favorites, and from there, I dived deeper into house, tribal, and techno.
EG: Your style has been described as pulsing and atmospheric by some. To set the record straight, can you give us your take on it? How would you describe the Shahar sound to someone who’s never heard it before?
Shahar: Recently, I have been connecting more with and influenced by house, NY tribal, and tech house. To someone who has never heard Shahar before, the best way I would describe my creation is as groovy and erotic.
EG: You’ve had some incredible opportunities to share the stage with some big names in the electronic music industry. Can you share some of those experiences and tell us who you’ve had the pleasure of working with?
Shahar: Just last weekend, I had one of the best and longest ones that I could wish for… On Friday, I was invited to play back-to-back with Matt Martinez to open for The Martinez Brother at the Brooklyn Paramount. On Sunday, I went to Bali, Indonesia, to play at Guy Gerber’s Rumors at Savaya. Those kinds of experiences are always amazing, filled with emotions and excitement, from getting the call for the booking to the announcement, digging for the right tracks, and of course, loving that moment on stage with the crowd. I personally really enjoy traveling and discovering new cultures, places, and connecting with amazing individuals who share the same love for music.
“To someone who has never heard Shahar before, the best way I would describe my creation is as groovy and erotic”
EG: Opening for big names like Joseph Capriati, The Martinez Brothers, and soon for Carl Cox must be an incredible experience.
Shahar: These kinds of gigs are the ones that keep me motivated and driven to seek more, and it’s funny enough as we all know in this world the ups are really high and the lows are really low. Now, when you least expect it, it comes and then it all makes sense, and you remember that you are exactly where you need to be.
EG: Moreover, playing in a big arena like The Brooklyn Mirage must be quite a moment, especially considering your roots and career are deeply intertwined with New York. Can you describe how it feels to have the upcoming opportunity to perform in such a grand venue, given your history and connection to the city?
Shahar: The feeling is amazing, especially as it’s my first time playing at the The Brooklyn Mirage. I’ve been going to this venue for years, and while watching it evolve, I always had the thoughts of it in the back of my head, and now it’s finally here. It’s a big check on my bucket list, and I am very grateful for this opportunity. Hopefully, this is the first of many.
EG: It surely must be one of the biggest milestones in any DJ and producer’s career. Let’s talk about your latest project, RISQUÉ. It’s really making waves in the scene. Can you tell us more about how that party came about and what makes it stand out from the rest?
Shahar: Oh RISQUÉ… what a journey it has been. It brings me so much joy just thinking about it and how far we’ve come. It started in 2022 as a platform for myself and my artist friends to showcase themselves, kicked off in SWNW, and after a little break, we found our home in the PUBLIC Hotel, where we’ll celebrate our first year in June.
RISQUÉ is a platform for my friends and me to be the best version of ourselves and push each other to the limits. Beyond a party, is a community, a lifestyle where everyone can connect beyond the music or the influence of the brand. I think what makes it stand out is that it’s a family full of passion that is willing to go above and beyond for our audience, provide a vibe where everyone feels involved as one, a visual experience that makes you not want to miss out on any event as we spice things up and create memorable experiences and themes to keep it fun and “RISQUÉ”. At this point, I feel that the event is really for the people, and it makes me so happy to know we created such an atmosphere that’s filled with love & happiness.
EG: It’s clear that you’re passionate about creating memorable experiences for your audience. Your association with Teksupport played a pivotal role in your career. How did working with such a prominent event production company help you shape your own party series?
Shahar: Working with TekSupport has helped me shape my career to where I am today without a doubt, and I will forever be grateful for that. Rob welcomed me with open arms and always made sure to keep New York dancing. Working with them closely definitely gave me a better understanding of branding and pushing the edges with no fear.
“RISQUÉ is a platform for my friends and me to be the best version of ourselves and push each other to the limits”
EG: Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share about what’s next for Shahar and what your followers can look forward to?
Shahar: There are many exciting things coming up as summer is around the corner. I am excited to share that I am going to be launching my label under the same name of the events, RISQUÉ RECORDS, a new project of mine with my good friend and partner Motum.
It’s something we’ve always dreamed about, and I can’t believe that it’s finally coming to life. Our first release will be a four-track EP by our good friends and talented artists Pablo Romero and Diego Teran. Keep an eye out for the release date coming very soon. Beside the record, RISQUÉ is going to be touring between South America and Europe, including summer pop-ups in our home base New York City.
EG: We’ll keep our eyes peeled for what’s to come. Thank you so much for chatting with us today, Shahar! It’s been a pleasure learning more about your journey and your music.
Shahar: Thank you so much for having me! It has been a pleasure chatting with you. See you at RISQUÉ and the stages of the world.
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