As a descendant of six generations of virtuosos, it would be an understatement to say that music flows in Roi Tochner's veins. But despite his forefathers' propensity for ethnic soul, as a teenager he preferred to depart from his roots in the backwoods of medieval Europe and eagerly pursue Euro-trash-pop heros, callously turning his back on the likes of Rosumni and Englander.
One "pirate" radio station introduced Tochner to underground electronic music, after which he began to explore the broad term known as club music, with a clear bias for trance and house genres. He then began to frequent off-beat musical haunts and chum with key players in the Tel-Aviv club scene of the 1990s. His obsession, fueled by a phenomenal knowledge of music, paved his way into their hearts before he even turned 18.
After observing mega-star DJs like Carl Cox and Toni De Vit orchestrate thousands of waving hands in breathless ecstasy, he realized what it was all about. Banking on his prowess and unyielding drive for excellence and perfectionism, Tochner took up spinning the turntables of local clubs in the provinces in preparation for the real conquest – Tel-Aviv.
In retrospect, ever since his first mix, Tochner's career has been an upward climb, with the summer of 1999 sparking a period that propelled his career into the fast lane. Winning the nationwide amateur DJ competition "Prigat Full Mix 1" was the turning point, when, towering over a sea of ~20,000 frenzied clubbers, he experienced his first 15 minutes of glory.
It was at this metaphysical point in time that DJ Sam (Shmulik Meshali) and Roi decided to join forces to transform their passion for music into a thriving business. Shmulik, with his sharp marketing ability and personal charm, and Tochner with his insatiable knowledge and superb taste in music, opened the doors of Funky Fish Records in 2000. Within a short time, Funky Fish became the leading retailer and major supplier of vinyls to Israel’s DJ population, and an icon for the fast-moving Tel-Aviv metropolis. Even now, despite his hectic schedule, Tochner insists on hand-picking each one of the store's thousands of vinyls.
That same year, Tochner was offered residency at Zoom, one of most sought-after clubs at the time, strategically poised at the Tel-Aviv port. To this day, clubbers nostalgically remember one of the most spectacular periods the club scene has ever known. Week after week, Tochner would present an opening set so electrically charged that whole crowds were left stunned by the intensity of emotion that overpowered them when Roi took center-stage. The consensus about his top-quality execution was as solid as concrete, proving once again that he was worthy of a paramount spot in the global league.
The next challenge was "Wake Up" at Deep, the notorious Saturday morning after-parties, which have yet to meet their formidable match. Roi, who usually comes across as a bashful type, was suddenly wielding a colorful crowd that lived and breathed the night. At Deep, Tochner reinvented the phrase "Prime Time". His playing created episodes of hypnotic sounds in a brilliant build-up, engulfing hundreds in waves of ecstasy. Using elements which combined mechanical precision with warm, passionate a cappellas, DJ Roi Tochner wove a fantasy that was seemingly tailored personally to each and every clubber - a fantasy with no boundaries and absolute euphoria.
It goes without saying that Tochner knew exactly what worked, but he didn't stop at mere stage directing. He started to build his own studio, determined to write the next flick himself. In 2002, a successful collaboration with Shmuel Flash, one-third of the reputed "Flash Brothers", released "The Tunnel" – a bona fide progressive track supported by Oakenfold – that was critically acclaimed and made its way into several compilations.
Later on that year, Tochner's remix of "Organic Souls - Angels" under the moniker "Atocha" was signed to Paulo Mojo's label "Enter Music" and was played by practically all of the big names, including Sasha, John Digweed, and Dave Seaman. That same year, DJ Sam and Tochner capitalized on the momentum generated by Funky Fish Records and their domestic and overseas reputations by establishing "Selfish Recordings", Israel’s first progressive label. The Selfish Label welcomed new-born talent, and became a home and haven for up-and-coming performing artists. Their releases included "Exodus – Enema" featuring a brilliant remix by Guy Gerber ("Bedrock") and "Landa – Music 'N Control" with Shmuel Flash's remix, that gained heavy rotation world-wide.
At the beginning of 2003, the Funky Fish Records crew introduced "White On" – a highly successful mid-week winter party line - at "Move". These purely good-time parties, that hosted all of the top DJs in Israel, became one of the most popular weekly venues for hundreds of clubbers, and a favorite watering spot for Tel-Aviv's night life clique.
Roi's addictive sound apparently fell on attentive ears far beyond the Mediterranean coastline. Offers began to flow in from Europe, Asia and the United States, complementing his numerous gigs throughout Israel, playing alongside the likes of Armin Van Buuren, John Digweed, Marco V etc. Despite his busy schedule, he still found time to compile and mix the weekly club chart for Tel-Aviv's popular radio station, 102 FM.
The period of operation of Tel-Aviv's "Vox Populi" Club can be divided in two: pre-Tochner and post-Tochner. Although it was a chic new locale, the club had not fully realized its potential. In 2004, the Club decided to place the reins into Roi's able hands, making him resident DJ and artistic director in collaboration with promoter Gili Mader. This role turned out to be a perfect fit. Roi embarked on a clearly-marked road of uncompromising quality. This transition was felt the very first night he spinned, and Thursday night "Funtastic Vox" began to take-off. The Tel-Aviv crowd, who has learned the value of real quality, started to flock to "Vox" every Thursday night. Cosmopolitan-oriented Tochner easily bonded strong ties with a long line of international producers and DJs such as Nick Warren, Mark Knight, Tom Neville, Hybrid and the Shapeshifters. The artists he has hosted at "Vox" have not only enjoyed the synergy, but also regard him as a friend and respected colleague. As a result, Tochner has gotten to play particularly hot releases, long before they find their way onto the shelves of record stores. In his close contacts with overseas associates, Roi Tochner is an extraordinary ambassador of the Israeli scene and arouses keen interest in the international arena. At the year's end, "Vox Populi" won the coveted title of "Best Mega-Club for 2004" sponsored by "DJ Ha'Ir" Magazine, while Roi himself was awarded "DJ of the Year" by the highly reputed entertainment weekly "Time Out Magazine". Besides the brilliant behind-the-decks work for which he was acclaimed, his win was also reinforced by the statement that "as far as electronic music is concerned, DJ Roi Tochner can be regarded as one of the most influential figures, and his contribution to the scene is monumental".
Roi is currently working on several projects in parallel, including collaborations with Hydroid (Lost Language) and Inner & Outer (Armada), as well as remixes for Israel-based artists such as Etti Castro's "Plastic Star", and joint work with his brother Chen aka DJ Braindead. These complement his regular bookings nation-wide and overseas.
Again and again, DJ Roi Tochner's unique, atmosphere-rich sound takes you above and beyond earthly bounds, elevating you to a magical realm of consciousness. Sometimes, the firm, pumping beats pound you forcefully to the floor that gives out from under you, while at other times they spirit you skywards to the unknown. When you're ready, you'll experience it, too.
Written by: Matityahu Roffe (Hebrew); Mali Chen (English).
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