Eran Aviner talks to us about changing Belgium’s nightlife with his EDGE events, early inspirations and new music

1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?

I’m currently 34 years old living in Antwerp, Belgium. I have been DJing since I’m 17 years old and have been producing for the past 8 years.

2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously?

I started listening to electronic music when I was 14-15 years old more or less. In the beginning I was listening to the more commercial stuff like Faithless, Groove Armada, Chemical Brothers etc. A couple of years later I moved to London and met some friends who introduced me to Digweed, Sasha, Burridge etc and that changed me completely. I remember listening to the compilations like GU and thinking to myself I would love to one day be able to mix and structure a set like these guys!

3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? 

It was definitely not as intuitive for me as to play out in clubs. Finding my flow in my sets has never really been an issue for me whereas producing I really had to learn. I started off by taking ableton classes and learning the basics of the DAW. As much as I thought it would help the reality was quite far away. Producing is so personal, that making your own experience is key to your own development. Spending time with very talented producers who happened to be good friends definitely helped me the most. I spent countless hours sitting next to them learning the processes as they came along.

4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?

I don’t think you can categorize it by easy or difficult. I think everybody has his strength and weaknesses. I really love melodies and arps so for me to sit in front of a synth and start putting sounds together is something I enjoy to do. What I find challenging is to create the right structure. I usually hit my block there. When that happens I leave it as it is and come back to it later with some added inspiration and ideas.

5. You’re very well known for the amazing events you do in Belgium. Literally every top name has been featured at your EDGE parties. Tell us how it all began, the vision you have for it and what’s coming in the future?

It basically all began a few years ago sitting down and having a chat with a close friend and now partner in crime Dave. I was going through a period with very few bookings and started to feel a little frustrated with myself. Nightlife in Antwerp was at that point very much focused on tech-house and techno nights, which really started to bore me as well. Others around me started to share my view and little by little we realised that we could get something original and different going. The idea was to find a location that was different to all the other clubs in town and set up a night with a different musical direction. Music has always been central for EDGE. We wanted to show that there are other musical styles except Techno, which nowadays seems everybody is playing. Not wanting to sound arrogant, we wanted to “educate” people musically. You cant expect people to like something if they don’t know it.

6. If you had to pick a favourite EDGE event so far what would it be and why?

I think the very first edition we had was very special and the most recent one we did with Hernan Cattaneo playing B2B with Guy J was super special. it was one of those nights where everything clicked together and you wished it would never end.

7. You have a new remix out this week on Paul Hazendonk’s MNL imprint, a deep, hypnotic interpretation of Namatjira’s ‘Silken Diagonal’. Tell us how you approached working on the remix, how the relationship with MNL began and what’s coming later this year from you?

I was approached by Namatjira and asked me if I would be interested to do a remix for his track. I pretty much heard a melody line that I really liked and thought ok I can make something cool with this. I always knew that MNL has a very good reputation as a label and was very happy to be part of this release. I have been working on a few originals as well as a couple remixes which should see the light during the summer. We are also planning on launching a Label under EDGE very soon!

8. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?

I actually listen to a lot of different kinds of music. I love discovering new groups and artists. At the moment I have been listening to new stuff from London Grammar, XX, Sohn, RY X. I wont say it has a direct effect but it definitely influences certain elements when producing.

9. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?

I am scared shitless of spiders haha!

10. What five tracks are you currently loving the most at the moment?

Matteo Bruscagin & Visnadi – Drps Classic (Guy J Remix)
Kevin Di Serna & Ditian – When You Dance In The Rain
Billy Hendrix – Bodyshine (Alfonso Muchacho Rework)
Lost Desert & Ramon Tapia – Hunter
Navar – The Legacy

11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound like you have, what advice do you have for them?

Don’t try and copy one of your favourite producers and say I would love to sound like him/her. There is already one him/her, inspire yourself by it but try and create your own sound.

12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?

I have tried to answer that question 5 times now and I still cant choose one track that would fit for such a moment haha

Eran’s remix of Namatjira is out now on MNL, you can purchase the release: here