As we know well, DJing as part of a duo requires a special connection. Being in the booth, performing in front of a crowd, trying to create a musical flow: To do this effectively, there needs to be a profound understanding and link between the two artists. It’s a connection that can be born from long road trips to far-flung locations or extended hours in a dark studio. Or it can be a connection that comes from something deeper. In our case, that’s love and marriage — and in the case of Vanjee and Nadav Vee, brotherhood.
This Friday, May 16, we’re bringing back a night that’s very meaningful for us — Sleepy & Boo + Friends — to Marquee. For this edition, we’re welcoming the two Isareli-born, New York-based brothers to the booth as our guests. Both play most of their gigs separately as solo DJs, but this Friday, they’ll be playing back-to-back, the first time they’ve shared their DJing duties at Marquee New York. We took a minute to catch up with them find out about their roots as DJs, and how they work best together behind the decks. Every Friday at Marquee is dedicated to underground music, forward-thinking artists and good vibes, and we’re continuing that this week.
Hey guys, how are you both doing? Where are you at?
Nadav Vee: Doing great guys! We are in NYC enjoying the great weather… finally! We’re looking forward to a great summer with a lot going on here in NYC and abroad.
You are brothers who both DJ, and both play underground music. How did you guys get to this point where you both have very similar interests?
Nadav Vee: We’ve been record shopping together since a young age while growing up in Tel Aviv and continue to do so here in NYC. We also lived together when we moved to NYC so a lot of our interests have aligned naturally.
Vanjee: From an early age, we grew together in the same underground scene and we lived together for a few years. And here we are playing similar music.
Musically, what would you say your differences are as DJs? How do you approach a B2B set instead of when you play solo?
Nadav Vee:Well, first off, I’m taller… But really, for me it’s hard to say where we are different because we followed the same path. We both went through many genres of music, from disco, soul, funk, R&B and hip-hop, to the origin of house music, some commercial and mainstream stuff along the way, and to the music we play today.
I take more time to prep for a gig with Vanjee, and when we have a B2B set, we think about the venue and the crowd first, and then we count to three and we both say which direction we want to go in — and usually it is the same.
Vanjee: A back-to-back set is a totally different approach for me. I love to create a journey when I play solo, but when we play back-to-back, we feed off each other and create a story that neither of us could tell without the other.
You are both from Israel but you have lived in New York for a while. Was DJing something you picked up in Israel, or here in the city? What was your first exposure to this music?
Nadav Vee: We definitely picked it up in Israel and evolved in NYC through the years. Vanjee started when he was 13. For me, it took a bit longer before I caught the bug.
Vanjee: Well, I was lucky enough to walk into a club and make friends with the owners when I was very young. The nightclub environment appealed to me right away and right there, a voice inside my head told me that this is what I want to do. Yes, I was 13 back then.
Nadav Vee: Yes and he took me off of my computer when I was 15. I joined him at his gigs back then and I think it was a year later that I took over a gig that Vanjee had moved on from. It stayed in the family! 😉
Both of you guys have played separately at Marquee before, but this is the first time you’re playing there together. What are you most looking forward to this Friday at Sleepy & Boo + Friends when you’re both on the decks?
Vanjee: Fridays at Marquee have become the place to be in NYC, especially with the evolution of underground music to the main stage. That recognition means a lot to us! We are very excited for this coming Friday, and I’m absolutely sure that this is going to be an unforgettable party, so don’t miss out. I’m looking forward to rocking the decks again, this time with my brother!
Nadav Vee: ENERGY ON THE DANCE FLOOR! That’s the most important thing. That’s what I’m looking forward to most. I can’t wait for those people in the crowd to give us the spark in the booth (you know who you are!) — the ones that charge up the dancefloor and help bring it to life.
Tell us about some of the stuff you’re working on musically. Do you have any releases coming up? Anything you’re working on together?
Vanjee: We have some productions in the works, some individually and some with other artists and labels. We will give you a little taste of some of our upcoming stuff on Friday night! I’ve recently released “So Excited” with DJ T. on Get Physical and have others I feel really good about on the way.
Nadav Vee: We are putting in quite some time in the studio, individually as well as with different artists and of course, together. Stay tuned!
Outside of New York, what are some recent DJ adventures you guys have had?
Nadav Vee: Morocco, Marrakech, WOW, that was an adventure… a cab driver took me and a friend deep inside the market, and managed to sell us a carpet and some spices. Go figure! I played a couple gigs there, one in Marrakech and another in Casablanca. I had really great hosts and can’t wait to go back soon!
Vanjee: Miami has been a great “home away from home” for me. Especially my “marathon” sets at the terrace of Club Space.. Miami has been a GREAT adventure and I’m really looking forward to have a back to back Sunday morning set there with my brother soon.
For tickets to Sleepy & Boo + Friends visit Resident Advisor.
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