The Newest Sensation In The Local Scene

By Carl Zablotny - Photos by Dale Stine
Appeared in "Wire" Magazine on March 25th 2005.

One thing we like about Winter Music Conference is that it brings out the Miami talent like never before.That's exactly the case with one of the newest sensations on the local scene, Oren Nizri. He's an up-and-coming DJ who is already making his mark at some of the top venues in South Beach and around the country. Needless to say, he is in an exciting and very important part of his career right now. The talented music producer has come a long way from his days in Tel Aviv at Super Zeus Records where he jump started his music career.

How Did You First Become Involved In Djing?

Basically, music was my life. I was always into music – a freak of music. I used to DJ in Israel, at first in a record store. I started doing private parties and radio shows. Thanks to my radio show, my music got a lot of notoriety around the country and I started DJing in some of the most prestigious nightclubs in Israel and Europe. This is how it all started. Sometimes my memory might not be so good to remember every day things of life, but if you ask me the name of a track, the producer, or who did the background vocals, and what year it was, and where it was on the charts, I can give you any information you want right away! I have been studying music since I can remember. I always wanted to be a DJ, even before it started getting out of proportion, before they started treating DJs like they were gods.

So What Do You Think Is The Purpose Of A Dj?

First of all, a DJ is there to make the crowd have a great time – no more, no less. You're there with the people and for the people. They are the ones who are building your career and who are spending money to see you perform. I consider myself not only a DJ but an entertainer/performer. That's fundamental to continue building up a reputation and a following. A belief that a DJ has to have the natural skills to read the different crowds to make the crowds happy. We are not there for ourselves as much as we are for our loyal fans.

What do you like most about the music industry?

Even before I tried DJing, I just had the feeling that I was going to be good at it. I always knew that I was talented to do this. To play music that I like and see other people liking it to the point of dancing their asses off, and creating this whole very happy vibe, that I understand what it's all about. I've done what I need to do. I'm there to see people happy, I'm not there for myself.

Why Did You Move To The U.S. And South Florida In Particular?

I moved here around two years ago. I chose South Florida because a good friend of mine was living here. It's great weather all year, a nice place, and beautiful people! It was really a great choice, now that I think about it. It is magic that you can't find in any other place. It's open to anyone, there's people from so many countries.

How Would You Describe Your Style?

Usually I'll open with soulful, deep and funky House. It's very uplifting vocal House. It's influenced by a lot of R&B. Then I will build up my night to more high-energy tracks. I love to keep the crowds guessing and to offer them the chance to get in a journey, whether they are in a huge dance party or in an upscale hotel lounge event. Obviously, the direction of my sets depend on the crowd and the venues, but I can say I love to play a lot of uplifting, contagious and tribal beats. I get all the time that my music selection is very unique, filled with fresh beats and energy.

What Is Different About Your Style? Why Do People Enjoy You?

I'll always play something that will work on the dance floor. It's funny because there's a lot of stuff that I really, really like but I always am imagining how it's going to sound and how people are going to react to it on the dance floor. If I think it's not going to work, I won't play it. I'm there to please the people, first of all. If people don't like the music, then I guessed wrong in playing it. So far, I've gotten good results. People like what I play. I get a lot of compliments, so I guess I'm doing something good!

Any Major Influences?

In soulful House, it has to be David Morales, who I am proud to say is a friend of mine. The other is Frankie Knuckles, the god of House music! As far as circuit music, that's Peter Rauhofer along with Chris Cox and Barry Harris. I love DJs and a lot of their remixes. There's just so much talent out there! They provide us with such great music all the time. So you find it very educating to go out and listen to music on South Beach.

Oh yeah! For me, when I go out I'm always listening and analyzing. I'm working and I see the crowds' reactions to songs. I'm always learning and taking it all in.

What About Your Personality—Does That Have An Influence On How You Spin And Do You Enjoy Interacting With The Crowd?

I love the interaction with the crowd. And I love when people approach me. Sometimes they ask me for songs, but I don't have them! Sometimes I playing at a circuit party and somebody requests Madonna's Lucky Star and I might not have it, for example. Or I might have it, but for tonight, it's not going to work because it's a different kind of music. But I'm always happy to answer questions or give out the name of a song. I used to be on the other side! I used to go and ask DJs what's the name of this, what's the name of that. And sometimes, they weren't very nice! I'm always nice and always friendly. We can't forget that people who are there are there for us.

How Did You Become Involved With George And Give Me A Beat?

Arnold Matteson heard me spin once and he loved my style. Arnold is been s a friend of George for a couple of years now. One day they both called me in to meet to talk about the possibility of working together. The next thing you know, we started a business. George handles the marketing of our company while Arnold is the president, and handles mostly the accounting and part of the marketing/event planning along with George. I'm very lucky because I couldn't have chosen two better people to work with. We have a great relationship and we are accomplishing a lot together.

What About Any Major Upcoming Events?

I'm doing the opening night at the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival at the Bank of America Building in Downtown Miami. I'm doing Gay Pride in Key West in June. And there's so much other exciting stuff coming up! For me, I'm still in the "wow" stage. It's not like "of course," that's where I'll play. Right now, every gig is a blast. I'll also be doing a party for Care Resource in May. It will be at the Ritz-Carlton. I've really been blessed.

What's The Most Important Thing You've Learned?

The music may be the same, but the crowds are always changing. So you need to learn to adjust. To see what's going on. One night the crowd might react amazingly to your music and on another night they might say it's just okay. You have to learn why.

Where Do You Go From Here? Do You Have Any Interest In Moving To The Production Side/Remixing, Producing?

I am already working on my own remixes and my own original productions, and the response of other very talented and experienced people in the industry has been very rewarding. That's a very important part of my career. It's the only way for a DJ/music producer to keep on climbing to the next level in the music industry of today.