Ido Morali is an Indie Dance and Electronica music DJ and producer based in Tel Aviv. Morali, one of Tel Aviv’s most esteemed DJs began his career ten years ago as the resident of one of Tel Aviv’s leading underground clubs, the Bootleg. At the age of 22, he continued to hone his craft at Beit Maariv, sharing the booth with some of the world’s finest DJs. Since then, he continues to play in important clubs and on big stages in Israel and beyond, alongside artists such as Dixon, Âme, Guy Gerber, Whitesquare, Moscoman, Jennifer Cardini, and more.
EG caught up with Ido Morali to learn more about the drop of his new single ‘Tunel’, his evolution as an artist, Tel Aviv’s Mondo2000 club, plans for the summer, and much more.
EG: Hi Ido! Welcome to EG. It’s a treat to have you here with us. Where are you based right now? How have you been?
Ido Morali: Hi, thank you for the opportunity to have this chat with you. I’m feeling great these days. To think that I started doing this almost ten years ago when I lived in Ashdod (where I grew up) to living in Tel Aviv now and working all over Israel and traveling the world is an incredible feeling.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the recent release of ‘Tunel’! What was the reception like?
Ido Morali: Thank you! I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from colleagues who liked the track, which is amazing. I’m always looking at how I can improve, of course, and the truth is that we have a very interesting year ahead of us.
EG: What can you tell us about this particular cut? What was the experience of working with ‘Nothing is Real’?
Ido Morali: This release was created during the COVID19 period, while the whole world was basically “closed”. After a few weeks of the uncertainty of when and how COVID would pass, I, like so many other artists, went into the studio and started coming up with ideas and starting to bring what I like into a finished product. Working with the guys from Nothing Is Real was a lot of fun; I met the Modular Project duo, the owners of the label, in Tel Aviv at my club Mondo 2000 and the connection was completely organic. Today they are very good friends, we got to play together a few times and I am very happy that the first release is on their label
EG: How would you describe your music by now? How has it evolved since you first started out? Do you tell stories through your tracks?
Ido Morali: I can define the music I play and create as a groovy bass combined with warm sounds connected to an acid sound. I always try to tell a story through my music, both in the segments I produce and in my sets. I always like to take the audience from whatever the starting point may be on a journey that feels right to me. At the end of the month, I have a second compilation release on Duro, owned by Mago & Moisees, alongside some very cool names on a label.
“I always try to tell a story through my music, both in the segments I produce and in my sets. I always like to take the audience from whatever the starting point may be on a journey that feels right to me”
EG: What other tracks in Nothing Is Real’s ‘Nir Vol.4’ compilation have caught your attention?
Ido Morali: I really like the track by Astroloop. In my opinion, he is one of this year’s up-and-coming producers and I think he has a very bright future ahead of him.
EG: You’re also the founder and content manager for Tel Aviv’s Mondo 2000 club. How is the club doing currently? What does the job of content manager entail, exactly?
Ido Morali: Mondo 2000 is doing great. Our location on a rooftop in the Levinsky market of Tel Aviv makes us pretty unique in the urban landscape of our city and really popular from day one. As the club’s content manager I select, book, and host local artists as well as names I respect and admire from abroad such as Ivan Smagghe, Whitesquar, Andry Bross, Chaim, Manfredas, Benjamin Frohlich, and more. From this position at Mondo, I formed a trio called Gavoa with my friends Uriah Klefter and Asaf Samuel, and we DJ together both there and at other venues as well.
EG: Summer is here! What are your plans for the season? What are you looking forwards to, apart from the music?
Ido Morali: I love summer, especially this one when all the restrictions of COVID are finally behind us! It’s great to see everyone happy and smiling. I’ve got a bunch of gigs in Israel and around the world booked. Other than that, I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends at the beach and dancing at festivals and parties when I’m “off duty”.
EG: The pandemic gave us all a chance to slow down and reassess. In the electronic music scene, it even gave us time for some much-needed discussions. What would you like to see more and less of?
Ido Morali: The pandemic has changed the overall game. A generation changed and young creators broke out alongside the “veteran” DJs who are still leading the way. I would like to see more action and respect among colleagues all over the world, mutual support should be a primary goal. If we don’t support each other we won’t be able to move forward anywhere. And of course, it is always my hope that the nightlife culture scene gets bigger and better in the years ahead.
“I would like to see more action and respect among colleagues all over the world, mutual support should be a primary goal. If we don’t support each other we won’t be able to move forward anywhere”
EG: What’s next for Ido Morali? What particular milestones are you looking forwards to now?
Ido Morali: First and foremost, I am grateful to be able to work at doing what I love. These past two years have shown us that we cannot take anything for granted. So, I just want to keep doing what I do. Playing music for people and seeing them smile, produce and release new music and collaborate with other artists and labels.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Ido! We wish you all the best for the future.
Ido Morali: Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me. I hope to meet again soon! See you on the dance floor!
Ido Morali’s ‘Tunel’ is out now via Nothing Is Real. Purchase your copy here.
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