Insight Interview: Orlogin

We caught up with Israeli producer Orlogin on his music, Burial, and living and working in Tel Aviv. Here’s what he had to say…

Hey Orlogin, thanks so much for agreeing to an interview. Where are you based? Do you tend to travel a lot, or are you firmly rooted at home?

Hi Antony, thanks for having me! I’m based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Me and my wife live in the centre of Tel Aviv city.

Can you recall your first real exposure to music?

Sure. My first exposure to music came with my father. I remember as a small child, my father used to play Pink Floyd or Wissozky (Russian music) records at home. My father was (and still is!) a great pianist. So really music was with me from the very beginning.

How and when did you first begin writing and creating music?

As a “Metal-head” kid I always took music as an extremely serious matter. I was involved
with several Death / Black Metal bands in the 90s (I played bass and did some vocal work).
I was also writing the music then. So creating music is something I’ve done from an early age.

The second phase in my musical career was like 10 years ago. At that point I ditched metal for IDM and Noise. I was experimenting with sequencers, trying (unsuccessfully) to define my sound. I just couldn’t capture what I wanted to express at that point. But then – Burial’s ‘Untrue’ was released…

It’s hard to explain this, but 10 years back, at that certain point in my life, that specific album was everything for me. And it also opened something for me musically, another layer I hadn’t previously seen. I was already used to complexity in electronic music (such as in Autechre or Aphex Twin). But I had never before felt so emotionally touched by music – which is even more incredible when you consider that the lyrics in that album don’t convey any real meaning. It’s all achieved with the sound, the mood and the atmosphere.

How did you decide upon the name Orlogin?

It’s from an old Hebrew song. I Love old hebrew songs from the 60’s-70’s, they are so different from our current sound!

Can you describe your music for us?

That’s a hard one! My music keeps changing and experimenting.

I think I’ll stick with electronic music…!

Have you played live recently? Would you like to do more shows or tours in future? Anything coming up soon you’d like to tell us about?

I’ve never played live as Orlogin. I mainly focus on producing the music, not for any particular reason, just because its an urge I feel (creation for creation’s sake). But I certainly hope that one day I could play my Orlogin music live. Right now I’m too busy with my day job (by day I’m a game and UI Designer).

What have been your biggest influences?

Obviously I’m a big fan of Burial. I used to deal with the conflict of “I love his music but I don’t want to sound too much like him”. At times I’ve just given up and produced whatever I was feeling, even if it does sound Burial-esque. The main thing for me is to produce something that I like 100%. And I fucking love Burial, he shifted the whole scene for me back then.

Not only Burial though, I love a lot of new music too. These days I tend to listen to a lot of Prurient
and Bolzer (a swiss extreme metal band). Rough stuff, for sure – but it’s rough times for me I guess…

Do you think producing electronic music requires technical or creative skill? Or both?

Both of course!

Do you tend to find the creative process a cathartic or therapeutic experience? Has creating music helped you cope with difficult times in your life?

Without doubt it has helped me cope with difficult times. It’s certainly a therapeutic thing.

Any collabs or joint projects on the horizon?

Not in the near future I’m afraid.

Any new genres or musical styles you’d like to explore in future?

I try not to commit myself to particular genres – I just let the creativity flow and see where it takes me!

Do you have any thoughts on the future of underground musical styles? Do you think the scene will evolve further?

I’m not that involved in the ‘scene’, so to speak. I think that today there is so much good music available anywhere, at any time, and music is growing so exponentially, that inevitably there will be evolution and growth. It’s hard to predict things, but that unpredictability is what’s so exciting about it!

Any new releases coming our way?

Yes – but too early to go into details I’m afraid. Hopefully I will always be making new music!!

Any artists or other individuals / collectives you’ve not worked with yet that you’d like to work with in future?

No-one in particular, although I’m always open to new collaborations!

Do you have a favourite track / song of all time? Favourite artist?

I have lots! All from different decades…

But if I had to choose I would say Ulrich Schnauss – Sometimes. It’s like actual heaven to my ears!

It’s been said that a life in music can be a hard one. Would you agree with that?

Right now my life is not only in music – I just can’t afford that at present. I have my own Graphic and UI Design Business that I run myself. It is a lot of fun, but it is hard running your own business.

I have to say this too – Israel is a hard place to live, in some ways.

Do you have any words of advice for aspiring young producers?

Follow your heart. Simple as that.

Any other projects on the horizon that you’d like to tell us about?

Nothing yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know when there is!

And finally – are there any tracks / artists that are relatively unknown that you’d like people to know about?

Maybe Prurient, as I mentioned above.

Thanks so much Orlogin!

Thank you man!

Orlogin’s music is available here and here.