Tapping in with DJ Helmano

Angela, one of TipTap’s marketing interns, spotlights DJ Helmano.

A number of my DJ contacts originated from when I hosted a show on SerenityFM, an international, 24/7 online electronic dance music (EDM) radio station. Although the show’s DJs were spaced out all over the world, we kept in touch and shared updates within our own online community.

One of those contacts, Moran Helman (DJ Helmano), is a DJ based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Although mainly known for playing trance music on his weekly ONTLV - Trance from Tel Aviv podcast, he also explores sounds of the house and progressive house genres.

As a DJ myself, I know the eagerness to share content online in as many places possible; exposure to bloggers, fellow musicians and general Internet users is a priority of marketing yourself. Helmano joined TipTap and became an active user, quickly standing out to me and the TipTap team with his music, quote and lifestyle-inspired tapestry. As an artist, he takes advantage of using TipTap to promote his own work by tapping links to his podcast.

Angela: Do you remember your first time experiencing EDM?
Helmano: My first EDM experience was four years ago, when a good friend of mine bought me a ticket to see Markus Schulz as a birthday present. It was his first time playing in Israel; I did not know him and did not know what to expect.

Angela: How did you get into DJ’ing and when did you start the ONTLV Podcast?
Helmano: I always had a deep and strong connection with music. DJ’ing started as a hobby; I was in change of the music over school breaks, playing music using a computer and DJ software. The music was not EDM though, it was more pop, MTV & Hebrew hits. The ONTLV podcast started after hearing Markus play at the ‘Homan 17’ when I decided I wanted to become a pro and bought my first DJ gear. I started learning how to beatmix and I followed variant DJs. I knew that the best way to get good at something would be to practice a lot, so i started recording one-hour sets, once a week to post online. That’s how ONTLV was born.

Angela: What draws you to trance over other genres of EDM? Do you play other genres as well?
Helmano: Trance has something no other genre of EDM has - the emotion and energy level of each track brings you into a euphoric state. As a clubber I’ve always enjoyed trance, mainly uplifting, and I want my audience to feel the same emotion and energy I feel when I’m on the dance floor. Trance also has the ability to connect complete strangers; I gain lots of new friends thanks to trance music. I’m also playing house music, usually progressive house, and I’m always open to new and exciting stuff.

Angela: You always showcase an amazing track selection. What do you look for when selecting music?
Helmano: My track selection is based on energy and emotion levels. I look for specific tracks that make me feel good, it’s usually those tracks I listen to while working my day job, the tracks that help me overcome my low points on any given day. They overpower tedious tasks and I want my audience to listen and feel the same emotions, and that it will probably help them too. Those tracks are usually introduced in my sets, and I get lots of messages claiming that my podcasts achieve that goal.

Angela: I’ve noticed popular names like Above & Beyond, Paul Oakenfold and Dash Berlin in your set lists. Who are some not as well-known artists you love?
Helmano: Every chance I get, I love to play tracks by Israeli producers. Lately, I’ve worked with Gal Abutbul on a few original tracks and I play a lot of his remixes. Other artists I love to play are Maor Levi, Ruby & Tony, Michael Tsukerman, and Rafael Osmo. Overall, I always try to find new and original tracks by new producers. I try not to follow the ‘mainstream’ of the genre and I try not to play the same tracks as other trance DJs out there.

Angela: What do you do when you’re not working on something music-related?
Helmano: i’m a web developer, specializing in front end development. I like to swim a lot, so I find myself jumping between the office, my studio and the pool.

Angela: We have a game at the office: “Would you TAP that?” If you had to choose the best burger to TAP, what restaurant would it be from?
Helmano: In Israel, the best burger is Black Burger. In the states, the best burger I had was at Peter Luger.

Angela: What destination vacation would you TAP and why?
Helmano: Definitely NYC; there’s something in that city that can’t be explained. Its size, the energy and atmosphere makes me feel at home.

Angela: Which piece of DJ equipment would you TAP?
Helmano: Pioneer DJM 2000.

Angela: What website or blog would you TAP?
Helmano: There are so many. For music inspiration, I like to visit Pure Bliss Vocals blog and SoundCloud.

Angela: What album would you TAP?
Helmano: BT -These Hopeful Machines.

Angela: If you could TAP one nightclub, which would it be?
Helmano: Haoman 17 in Tel Aviv.

Angela: If you could TAP one track…
Helmano: I have so many favorite tracks, but the one I feel very emotionally connected to is OceanLab’s “Satellite.”