Dj Tomer & Ricardo Gi are long-time collaborators who made a name for themselves in the Afro House genre. This time around the duo is presenting its highly anticipated “Echoes” LP which is set for release on July 14th on their home label My Other Side of The Moon. This project delivers the best of Afro House and showcases extraordinary talent from all around the world. Tracks from this album have already seen support from some of the most reputable acts in the genre which include Black Coffee and Themba to name a few.
We caught up with Dj Tomer & Ricardo Gi to talk about the making of the album, the ethos behind the project, collaboration, Afro House, and more.
Hey guys! Thanks for joining us today. How’s your summer been so far?
Thank you for having us! Our summer, so far, has been good. The new album on one side is coming up real soon and we are very excited about it. Then there are the new projects that we’ve been working on and of course, it’s summer so it’s party time we are looking forward to Tomer’s up and coming shows starting from home-base New York City to Montreal, Ibiza, India, Russia, Israel and more locations in the progress.
Congrats on the release of your highly anticipated album «Echoes» which is coming out on July 14th via My Other Side of The Moon. What was your inspiration behind this project?
The genre of Afro-house profoundly influences and motivates us. Black Coffee, a colossal figure in the industry, continually inspires us with his music and his unwavering support. Our passion is deeply rooted in our upbringing during the 1970s and beyond. We frequently dive into the deep synth vibes of the 80s, constructing every bassline, Arp, pad, and sound effect with a multitude of frequency layers. Every melody, harmony, sound, percussion, and rhythm pattern is entirely original and crafted in-house. What we achieve is a distinctive, superior-quality sound that merges both classic and contemporary elements. The positive responses we receive for our music are immensely rewarding, as they affirm that our unique blend of sounds truly resonates with our listeners.
This album includes collaborations with extraordinary singers and songwriters such as Jordan Arts, Kyaku Kyadaff, Kawtar Sadik, Index Nuul Kukk, Mayan, and Mai Tar. What was your experience working on this record?
The experience has been remarkable. Collaborating with extraordinarily gifted artists from 6 different countries around the world has been a thrilling adventure, consistently challenging us to innovate with each composition. We set forth on a quest to uncover fresh dimensions of rhythm and sound design, Exploring new areas of our creativity that we hadn’t touched before. Even though there were times of nervousness, the whole experience was really exciting and fun.
Both of you are long-time collaborators. How did you meet? Whose idea was it to work on music together?
We met in 2019 for the first time, through a mutual friend, only for an information exchange about music production. The idea of doing music together was brought up as we were talking and the rest in history.
What are some studio essentials that make up your trademark sound?
We choose VSTis which are the closest to old-school analog sound. For example, Surge (Surge-XT) is a synth that has been around since 2006 and it’s irreplaceable. Having said that, what makes our trademark sound is what we love. between both of us, there are tens of years of experience and knowledge that comes from our roots and the collection of music we added to our mind through the years.
Who are some music producers that have grabbed your attention recently?
Although there are many talented producers out there, lately we’ve been putting a lot of attention on DJEFF, Ajna (Be), Manoo, Da Africa deep and Massh
What does success mean to you? Is it about the numbers or is there more to it?
It always was and always will be about doing what we love. It’s about promoting harmony and influencing people in the most positive way possible.
Thanks for joining us today. Is there a message that you wish to spread to the world?
Absolutely! Music is a global unifier. In our eyes, Afro-House breaks down barriers, paying homage to African ancestry while captivating audiences worldwide. We appreciate how this genre gives a platform to voices that might otherwise go unheard, revealing the depth and vibrancy of African culture. It acts as a formidable catalyst, dismantling divisions and echoing the harmonizing influence of music. We consider it a privilege and honor to contribute to this genre.