dj kobayashi

dj kobayashi

DJ Kobayashi is a German group associated with Balkan, Gypsy, brass, gipsy and electro-swing styles. Its music ranges from Gypsy, Balkan, swing and rock and roll to chill-out, future dub, dub-step and broken beats.

Background and activity

DJ Kobayashi’s DJ interests begin at a young age through following his father, Reuven Erez, and later developing a personal collection and style. The act has residencies and regular sets at Dimba Presents, a monthly folk, Gypsy and Balkan event in London; Stranger than Paradise, also presented as Balkan Beats London; Twisted Gypsy, a Gypsy/Balkan/Swing night in clubs around London; and Café 1001, where it plays broken beats and electronica as a resident DJ.

Projects and collaborations

Gypsy Hill is the main project associated with DJ Kobayashi. It is a collaboration with Herbert Newbert and combines Balkan, Gypsy, Swing and Mediterranean music with electronic beats, scratching and bass lines. The project releases remixes and original material, including remixes of Fanfare Ciocarlia, Besh o drom, Kocani Orkestar and Boom Pam.

DJ Kobayashi also forms part of Green Seeds, founded with Conrado D in 2004. The group plays regularly at the Multi Vitamin Records night at the Pool Bar in Shoreditch. In addition, DJ Kobayashi works on the project Soundtrack with his brother Roi Erez, creating music for film, theatre and other media, and collaborates with choreographers Tal Gravinsky, Yael Asher and Carry on works including Cargo, Moon Kisses, Corridors, Nothing but Space, Valentina and the Fish, and For You.