Dori Sadovnik and Niv Arzi started off their musical journeys together in the post-punk bad Red Cotton, but since 2011 have been channelling their efforts into Red Axes. Not turning their back on their band days, their DJing and production occupies an area of spaced out disco that playfully toys with punk. Finding a home of labels like I’m A Cliché, Klasse Recordings and Hivern Discs, their sound is theatrical yet intricate, colour yet idiosyncratic, this is the sound of leftfield European clubland, dried out in the Israeli sun. A fitting mix, given that they hail from Tel Aviv, a cultural melting pot where European and Middle East culture collides and coexists. Having visited ourselves, it’s city we’ve wanted to feature in this series for a while so take a look round with Dori and Navi as your guides.
Red Axes – Sabor EP is out 7th December on Crosstown Rebels. Pre-order from Juno.
Check out the map and interview below for their favourite spots, while you listen to a 100% Israel mix.
Favourite Place To Buy Records?
Lately there are more and more record stores opening in Tel Aviv, we like them all but our favourites are Chompi Records
and Auerbach Records. You can also find good records at Hamor Records, Hor Ba Shahor, The Third Ear and Hod Hamahat.
Favourite live music venue?
For each music there is the right room. For smaller underground we like Levontiv 7, for bigger Rock ‘n’ Roll you can go to Barby Club.
Best view of the city?
There are many ways to look at Tel Aviv. Our secret spot is a parking building on the corner of Nahalat Binyamin St. and Gruzenberg. If you go upstairs you can see all the city. There’s also a great view from the Old City in Jaffa to see all of Tel Aviv.
Best place to experience something unique in Tel Aviv?
If you want to smell some of the local products and see the working market you should go to the Carmel Market. For total relaxation you should check out the beach, best at Geula Beach.
First thing you miss after leaving TLV?
We are addicted to hummus, so after a couple of days we feel a intense need to get us a hummus plate. We love the Sirian or Ali Karavan.
Best grub?
After music we love to eat, and definitely Israel has some amazing restaurants. You should go to eat at Doc’s Restaurant on Ibn Gvirol, or where our studio is. It’s a pure art !
Is there a person (dead or alive) who encapsulates TLV for you?
Arik Einstein RIP. One of Israel’s most amazing singers and actors, died a couple of years ago, and was for us the real meaning of Tel Aviv.
Where will you find the friendliest, most interesting locals to have a chat with?
Israel is a very friendly place, with a lot of friendly people everywhere. So practically it is almost every place you go.
What do you think are some common misconceptions about TLV music culture?
We heard a lot of times that people think Israel is some kind of desert with Camels and religious Jews. So you are wrong, and Israel is quite all the contrary!
What’s the best and worst thing about TLV?
Many good things: the beach, food, people, nightlife and more. The bad thing is the rent – the prices here are very high in comparison to what you earn.
Who’s doing good things for TLV music right now, who you’d like to shout out?
A lot of great bands and musicians:
White Screen
The Crotches
Hila Ruach
Ryskinder
Malka Tuti (the label and artist)
The Teder crew
And our beloved Bootleg Club Gang
What are some of your favourite up and coming musicians/producers coming out of TLV right now?
Moscoman
Autarkic
Yovav
Naduve
Yeezy Avni
Could you tell us about the mix you’ve made for us?
We recorded it at home and it’s a selection of local influences from the past, travelling thru different times in Israel’s musical journeys.
Beyond your EP for Crosstown Rebels, what else is coming up on the horizon?
We have several new things coming up. A remix project for the amazing Greek musician Lena Platonos that will be released on Dark Entries Records. A new EP on Permanent Vacation, some new releases planned for our own imprint Garzen Records and some more surprises .
