Truancy Volume 188: Roi Perez

Whilst a fair percentage of Panorama Bar and Berghain residents customarily have more than a decade worth of history and experience playing at the two renowned clubs, Ostgut’s roster in recent years has since expanded to host a handful of newer DJs and producers. Kobosil, Somewhen and Etapp Kyle have all been added over the last five years as well as more recently, Roi Perez, a selector who’s called Berlin his home since moving to the city in 2013. Raised in southern Israel in the coastal city of Ashkelon, a move to Tel Aviv in his early twenties found him quickly immersed in the thriving queer party scene. Here he connected and found himself a residency at a party called PAG, a local night he’s described as a ‘special atmosphere’ akin to Glastonbury’s NYC Downlow.

A change on a personal level led him to Berlin, where small bar gigs led to invitations by nd_baumecker to play Lab.Oratory, which in turn led to invitations to play Panorama Bar. His first set at the club, called upon three hours in advance, was a 10 hour closing set. A rare oppurtunity that would see most DJs buckling from the nerves, Roi Perez was handed a residency soon after. His Truancy Volume, charting his way through Truant favourites by Hodge, Avalon Emerson and Helena Hauff, showcases is apt technical skill and knowledge as a Panorama Bar legend on the rise. We caught up with Perez to discuss his time in Tel Aviv, his move to Berlin and his now numerous residencies.

What can you tell us about the mix you’ve done for us today? “I think it’s a bit different from mixes I’ve recorded in the past. It’s more of a mix for a club environment. I recorded it at my home setup in one take, no additional edits. I dived so deep into recording it, so deep that one of the neighbours came to knock on my door and I had to explain things and apologise in my broken German. His wife couldn’t sleep. I said I know and I’m sorry. The next day I met him in the stairwell and apologised again and brought his wife some flowers. It’s important to maintain good relationships with your neighbours. I hope you enjoy listening!”

What else can we expect from you for the rest of the year? Any particular gigs you’re excited about? “Basically I’m going to keep on touring. Some exciting plans I’m looking forward to are gigs in Manila, the Philippines, Taipei, Taiwan and Hanoi, Vietnam. I’ve never been to any of these places – I’m really curious and excited.”

Tracklist:

Carli – Lights & Strobes (Pedrodollar Remix) / Studio Barnhus
The Emperor Machine – Africa (Wolf Müller Remix) / Internasjonal
Octo Octa – Adrift (Avalon Emerson Furiously Awake Version) / Honey Sound System
Hodge – No Single Thing / Livity Sound
The Pilotwings – Christrance / BFDM
Odori – Movements 1-4 / Outer Limits
Noleian Reusse – Cahokia (Paul West Mutant Jack Dub) / Bio Rhythm
Mido – Yak / Version
Tornado Wallace – Zorn Gottes / Animal Dancing
Bunkr – Juno’s Revenge (Igor Tipura Remix) / LOTR
Jonny 5 – Voices / Power Station
Fuel – Rigid / Optimo
Yello – Wearhouse (Andrew Weatherall remix) / Blank Media
Helena Hauff – A Tape – 01 c45p / Dark Entries
S.O.N.S – A New Life (Planet Earth mix) / S.O.N.S