INTERVIEW: Yuvi Gerstein releases new single

Yuvi Gerstein is a musical maestro deeply connected to the spheres of jazz and blues guitar. His journey, sculpted under the guidance of the renowned Mark Whitfield, took a distinctive turn with the outfit Coolooloosh, a groundbreaking fusion of live hip hop and funk that laid the foundation for his unique musical explorations.

Collaborating across genres with artists like Maureen Nehedar, Peter Spacey, Kosine, Leslie Phillips and others, Yuvi Gerstein’s sonic output is at once diverse and thrilling. His venture into the electronic world with Sponj, a duo exploring ethnic and electronic soundscapes, further staked his claim as an exciting and must-watch artist. His contributions to Artlist’s repertoire, loop packs for Loopmasters and the creation of GRIDI, the world’s largest MIDI sequencer, attest to his innovative contribution in music technology.

In the recording studios of London, he immersed himself in a range of musical influences and developed his own sound. In 2020, he boldly stepped into the spotlight with the debut EP Straight to the Bar under his own name. Now, back in Tel Aviv, he working on his debut solo album, a release blending downtempo, trip hop, Middle Eastern beats and jazz funk. This musical fabric reflects his expansive journey, emphasising exploration and a desire to reach diverse audiences with his musical expression.

Bringing us the first taste of the latest chapter of his musical story, he shares his brand new single titled “Caravan Cooking,” sharing the first glimpse of his upcoming debut solo record, Cells, set to drop in the middle of next year. Linking up with Grammy-nominated producer Kosine, known for his work with global stars like Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, “Caravan Cooking” is a vibrant cocktail of Middle Eastern and Balkan sounds fused with modern 808 beats.

The track kicks off with the bouncy punch of an electronic beat, as vibrant Eastern melodies dance above to craft a grooving exotic sound brimming with danceable rhythm, colourful instrumentation and memorable lines. Progressing with staccato organ style stabs, the track dies down with soft flute textures and distant percussive shots before building back up to burst with an infectious beat and laters of melodic flourishes, resulting in an engaging and highly original dance music cut that builds excitement for Yuri’s upcoming LP.

Fans won’t have to wait long for their next dose of Yuvi Gerstein’s unique sound; this track marks the start of a string of monthly releases, each promising to unveil different facets of Yuvi Gerstein’s musical creativity in the build up to the Cells album. We caught up with Yuvi Gerstein to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Caravan Cooking” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Yuvi Gerstein below.

Hey Yuvi, how’s things?

I’m doing well, getting ready for 2024 with all those new year’s resolutions, you know.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

My parents sent me to a piano teacher at the age of 6. I didn’t like playing sheet music, so I used to memorize the pieces, which worked pretty well, until my teacher figured out that I had no clue where I was on the sheet. I guess it’s part of the reason I switched to guitar as soon as I could.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

A lot of my heroes are musicians who dedicated their lives to exploring their instruments. My favourite guitarists are Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery. I grew up listening to a lot of Hip Hop and electronic music, so from Dr. Dre to Tricky, Jamiroquai to Portishead. Nowadays I’m drawing inspiration from artists like Bonobo, Gorillaz, Balkan Beat Box and a lot of organic downtempo electronic music.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

From artworks, from visual artists, games, anything creative could spark my own urge to create something new. I try to collaborate with visual artists, to bring my music to life and to draw more inspiration for my music.

What’s been your highlight of the year?

Preparing and releasing my first track, as part of my debut album, was a major highlight.
I’ve been planning to release my original music for a long time. I’ve released a solo guitar album for Artlist, called “Straight to the bar”, which was great, but during my time in the studio (The slick studios, owned by Gerstein) I accumulated a lot of music, which combines electronics with my main instrument, the guitar. They have been hidden in my digital drawers until now, so I’m glad to have made the decision to release them properly during 2023-2024.

What do you love about the Tel Aviv music scene?

I see myself as part of the Indie scene in Tel Aviv. It’s a super vibrant community, with some amazingly talented musicians, who have a crazy drive to create. I especially love the blend of genres which is unique to this place, a lot of influences between east and west, electronic music to middle eastern ethnic music. It is quite remarkable. People like Kutiman, Balkan Beat Box, Yehezkel Raz, they make incredible music and I’m glad they manage to export it out to the world and it’s getting the attention it deserves.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Well, nowadays, music can catch you anywhere and on any device or setting, so I don’t think it needs a perfect place. I think if my song comes up and someone stops and says “ooh, that’s cool, what is that?”, then it’s the perfect setting.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I started out dedicated to my instrument, the guitar. I wanted to be the best guitarist who ever played. These rather pretentious ambitions started to shift when I discovered music production at the music academy where I studied. It gave me the power to control the entire production, not just the guitar part. That was quite a revelation back in 2001.
I was a cofounder of a band called Coolooloosh. We toured the world for 10 years and had quite a successful run in the indie world of funky hip hop bands. Then I opened my own recording studio called “The Slick” and formed an electronic duo called Sponj, with Tom Iddan (AKA Tito the wize). Our style was more electronic beats, filled with samples and some live guitar playing, heavily influenced by middle eastern and balkan sounds. In my latest evolution, I create my own music without thinking or judging it too much, and I know it’s a sort of summary of my own journey in music and what comes natural to me as an artist.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

I’d love to work with Bonobo, I love his sense of aesthetic in everything he does. Next, I’d say the Gorillaz, which are incredible in the combination of wonderful songwriting, great production, and the visual package that goes with it. It’s just a perfect blend of everything I love.

How did you find making your new single “Caravan Cooking”?

During his visit to Israel in the summer of 2022, I met Kosine, a Grammy-nominated producer known for his work with Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. We quickly found a strong musical chemistry and began collaborating. In Bethlehem, we met great Palestinian musicians. Josh Robertson, who was on the trip with us, produced a sample pack on Splice featuring the work of these musicians. Inspired by these unique sounds and combining them with my guitar playing, I developed ‘Caravan Cooking.’ After sending my initial mix to Kosine, he added his signature style, enhancing the track’s cinematic feel. The project has since evolved, taking on a life of its own.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

I see Caravan Cooking as a first snippet of my creativity unleashed, and as I release more songs it will all come together to a coherent album release.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Since I started releasing my new music, I’ve discovered a bunch of great artists. One of my favourites right now is Kusht, a Scottish born DJ who creates some great downtempo organic music, which I love.
What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
I want their brains to light up and my melodies and grooves to move their hearts and minds.
If they just enjoy it and think it’s dope, I’ll be satisfied as well.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

Performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2009, which marked its 30th anniversary, remains a standout moment with my band Coolooloosh. Initially, the audience was sparse, but as we began our set, the crowd swelled to an impressive 5,000. Initially, I thought our music had drawn them in, but it turned out they were coming from another just-concluded show. Regardless, the experience of playing to such a large, enthusiastic crowd was unforgettable.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Bonobo, Jose Gonzallez (I didn’t mention I absolutely love his music), A-WA (A wonderful yemenite electronic band). It would be a world Groove festival taking place on an Island somewhere peaceful.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Stay curious, focused, and avoid distractions that deter you from your goals.

Finally, what do you have lined up for 2024?

I’ve committed to releasing a new song every month during 2024, so people who are interested in my music would have something to look for and come back to.

Listen to Caravan Cooking below