“My musical journey is an interesting story,” starts off Eric Rosen on our interview. “I gotta take it back to my parents folk dancing in the 70s.”
These Israeli, Eastern European dances, Eric describes, took place in rooms with hard-wooden floors where people would dance in circles, within circles, within circles, all counter rotating and stomping their feet.
“You have all this rhythm going on that’s in tune with the music and becomes part of the music,” Eric says. “Some of my earliest memories were on my dad's shoulders at these huge dance parties. So that was sort of my introduction to music.”
Today Eric is known as DJ Eric Rosen and The 12 Tribes, a name which came about when Eric incorporated live drum playing with his sets. You can see him perform at some of the most popular venues out on the West Coast including Orange County's house club Focus, JConnectLA, not to mention Jewlicious Fest, which as business and marketing director for the festival, he contributed a large part to their sold-out success.
So how did Eric go from being on his father’s shoulders at Israeli dance parties to hottest DJ on the West Coast? Keep reading.
What was your introduction to DJ'ing?
I had one friend in High school whose older brother was a DJ. He was always playing these mixed tapes that were copies of copies of copies of mixed tapes DJs made in
We kept playing this one mixed tape over and over again. And I hated house music. I was a metal head. I was like what is this garbage? This is horrible. There is no soul to this music. But something during that trip, all of a sudden, I was listening to this music in a way I haven’t heard it before. All the resistance to this music not sounding good was gone. And I was really feeling this. This was really weird. House music is really cool.
So fast forward, me and my friend both get jobs at record stores. The rave scene was blowing up at that point. So we started collecting records, we got turntables, we’re working in record stores, and we found ourselves in this epicenter of this massive subculture which was electronic dance music.
I wound up becoming a record buyer for the store that I was working at which allowed me to really get to know the music and get really well versed in what was cutting edge music wise.
Most DJs get stuck in a genre or a time and place and mode, but from the very beginning because of the way I was introduced to the house music, and because of my music background [yes, Eric plays guitar, piano and drums too] it was always about keeping it fresh. It was always about bringing as many live elements into the music.
Do you go on stage with a set playlist or do you go along with the crowd’s energy and change it up based on what you feel the crowd needs?
You have a framework for what you want to do, for what you know is going to work, for where you want to take things, but then you can improvise. You can add on as you go. And that has to do with the environment.
I’m always cognitive of what the room feels like and what’s going on with everyone there.
Let’s talk about the relationship between your Jewish identity and your music. If your music influences your spiritual growth in any way, or if your Judaism influences your music?
The answer is unqualifiedly yes. It all comes down to the unity. Music tells the story of the unique experience.
The CDs I have online on waxdj I’ve put together over the past eleven years of my life and I always tell people these mixes are the soundtrack of my life. The music I put together really reflects what I was going through at that time.
When the Jewish journey really started, my relationship with the music got so much deeper. It got so much deeper. It was like the floor just opened up and the sky opened up. Everything got really serious. Music is really spiritual. It’s a universal language that everyone can understand.
When I started investigating my sense of self as a Jew and my responsibilities as a Jew, and what it meant to have a soul, everything that came along with being an active member of the Jewish people, the music continued to reflect that. And so because of that, the relationship deepened with the music in a way that it’s almost hard to put into words.
I’m really interested in your personal journey of becoming more observant, if you would like to talk about that.
During my adolescents, I never had a framework for spiritual interpretation of my experiences. So I had all this energy and no place to put it.
When I got into college, I got into Buddhism. I was really into learning about that. I was chanting a lot. I was like this is really interesting. This stuff works. This was my first spiritual practice. That got me going in the direction of taking a lot of experiential growth and transformational growth seminars.
I started taking classes in Chabad in 2003. I started reading this book by Joseph Telushkin “Jewish Literacy.” It’s sort of the definitive guide to everything having to do with Judaism from the starting of time. It sparked something in me.
My friend I was learning with grew up religious. We started having these Shabbat dinners. There was a swell in both of us that started rising. We had this friendship that was turning into a spiritual journey together. After that, we ended up going to
I find myself in
I was just overwhelmed with this feeling of you have been so blessed, that you don’t even know it and you have to embrace and engage every feeling that awaits you here. And so, at that point, the light came on, the engine turned over, I don’t know what happened but the lion was released. It was like surfing on a spiritual tidal wave for the rest of the trip.
Where are you now in your observance?
I keep Shabbat to the best of my ability. I keep Kosher to the best of my ability. I LOVE learning Torah. Tefillin is definitely an active part of my life. I don’t daven three times a day but I’m talking to G-d from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep.
Has your level of observance been parallel with the music you choose to play on any conscious level?
House is sexy music, but it’s not so primal. Mixed dancing, I don’t have a problem with.
I would say the biggest thing in terms of observance and spirituality with regards to music has been the kind of music that I play. I gave up heavy metal basically for the following reasons: The energy of house music is much more positive, more uplifting and much more about love and connection and soul and about the things that everyone is really after in this life. Metal is just so negative, negative energy, just angry, pissed-off, upset, immature.
There is definitely darker, angrier dance music. I have become more sensitive to the type of music that I play. Instead of just playing a track and saying this sounds good, if a track sounds really, really nice, what is the spiritual instance of it? What is the spiritual message?
A lot of people, I’ve gotten feedback and more and more in the second half of my DJ career, say that you just have a gift for music. I know I am able to take a room full of people who are there to dance and are there because they want to hear house music, and able to bring light out of the room. It’s definitely a parallel relationship with the spiritual journey with Judaism.
As a musician and as a performer, when you’re resonating on a certain spiritual level, you can take people there.
Do you see yourself DJ'ing down the road?
It’s just too much fun to stop doing. It’s not my occupation, it’s my passion. I’m the one in the driver's seat with where this goes and how long I keep doing it and I don’t have to answer to anyone, except maybe the future Mrs. Rosen.
Music is always going to be a part of my life. Music is life. That’s the reason we sing Torah. Why do we sing Torah on shabbos? Because G-d sang the world into existence so everything is a song. It’s all music.
Doesn't Eric say the most beautiful things?? Can't make it out to Cali to check out DJ Eric live? Check him out on Waxdj and then friend request him on Myspace.
Contact me with any thoughts or insights... FindMyJewSpot@gmail.com
30 comments
dj eric rosen is an amazing example of how a person can be a learned/observant/growth seeking jew and still in touch with the secular world and its music.
well said mr rosen. you are inspiring.
Posted on April 1, 2008 3:42 PM
Eric does say the most beautiful things! "Surfing on a spiritual tidal wave..." Wow, really gives a visual for something that's often so hard to envision.
Posted on April 1, 2008 4:06 PM
Eric’s unique spiritual and musical journey shines through in his music and in his life. His musical interests have touched on so many different genres, but rather than simply leaving behind each genre to move onto something new, he learns from them and incorporates aspects of these different musical forms into his current music, creating something fresh and moving. He shows the same passion for life that he shows for his music, a quality we all can strive to achieve.
Posted on April 1, 2008 4:43 PM
Great job, Monica & Eric. Torah, music, art & love make the world go round. My love for you two is beyond words and worlds.
Posted on April 1, 2008 6:06 PM
:)
--
Eric Rosen
USC Marshall School of Business
MBA '09
Director of Marketing
Jewlicious Festivals
http://www.JewliciousFestivals.com
http://www.waxdj.com/djs/17
Posted on April 1, 2008 7:31 PM
DJ Eric Rosen is seriously down with the deep. I have been to tons of his shows and he always handles it. Good beats. Good vibe.
Posted on April 1, 2008 8:23 PM
Its a spiritual thang shorty!....and sometimes you get to experience the interconnectivity of beats and melodies, and know that there is more than just a turntable and soundwaves connecting momements of time...much love Dance Vibes...keep the flow..
Posted on April 1, 2008 8:36 PM
rosen is rad and i love him.
what more do you want to know
p.s. down with the deep is my fave mix
Posted on April 1, 2008 11:07 PM
I met Eric in Israel, we got to talk and bond a bunch over our 3 weeks there. I'm glad to hear his DJing is going well and am hoping to get to come to one of his shows sometime soon.
Posted on April 1, 2008 11:16 PM
When the lion decides to leave the den, he in turn runs the jungle. Aryeh has mastered the art of incorporating his own individual style into music that he shares with the world at large. His heart is most definitely beating to a unique rhythm that allows him to inspire those who surround him. As long as there is music in the world, Eric's passion will continue to grow. Eric Rosen is an old soul who will one day change the course of humanity through his love and passion for the arts. Much love, keep it up.
Posted on April 2, 2008 2:35 AM
Eric's music wakes me up inside
Posted on April 2, 2008 2:41 AM
There are ipod DJs and then there are DJs. Eric's the real thing.
Posted on April 2, 2008 3:20 AM
DJ Eric is a true artist, one who lets his music tell a story, in this case the soul of the Jewish people--that can't be faked.
Posted on April 2, 2008 3:38 AM
Eric,
Well done, buddy.
You're a real Kiddush Hashem!
Keep on jammin'.
Wayne
Posted on April 2, 2008 9:08 AM
don't worry more comments to come
Posted on April 4, 2008 12:16 AM
Thats right Brother Bear. you rock and your music rocks me. stay on the good flight path and others will follow. lets go folk dancing with mom and dad next time i'm in town
Posted on April 4, 2008 12:51 AM
Eric rocks. Plain and simple. I'm lucky to have him in my life.
Posted on April 4, 2008 9:10 AM
What a wonderful inspiring story! It is amazing how DJ Eric Rosen incorporates his entire being to create a sound so positive in its roots. I wish more musicians were on that level with their art.
Posted on April 4, 2008 3:03 PM
Check out those muscular arms. Glad to see you are excelling in all aspects of life.
Posted on April 4, 2008 4:08 PM
Nice t-shirt!
Posted on April 4, 2008 4:20 PM
Great piece. Eric certainly has some killer mixes...
Posted on April 4, 2008 4:29 PM
Ever since i have known DJ Eric Rosen he has been in love with music. He has some of the most amazing skills I have ever seen/heard!! He is loved and supported by many fans who also happen to be his friends! Music is the food for life! One day in Jerusalem! Mazel tov and thank you for all you do for our generation and the next.
Posted on April 4, 2008 6:08 PM
having been able to experience some of eric's journey with him, through a friendship that continues to grow, and as a fan of his music, i can truly say that he is always able to bring the spirituality of life to the people through his words and his tunes...
Posted on April 6, 2008 11:13 PM
Isn't life strange...I was having a tough day and decided to get some inspiration from your Keep the Flow cd yesterday, and now I get this article from you today. Yes, I can appreciate it. I always appreciate you and your amazing positive energy. What an incredible journey it has been for you Mr. Rosen. Glad to be a little piece of it. Tiffany
Posted on April 8, 2008 12:31 PM
DJ E.'s music is much a reflection of himself. Listening to the beats, one feels suddenly awakened. The music he shares is deep, yet full of light; colorful, yet harmonic; foreign, yet familiar. The melodies he weaves together so effortlessly inspire, making one want to listen more closely, jump, take action or dance. Ultimately, his music successfully brings us together spiritually to explore, share and celebrate our joint humanity.
Posted on April 8, 2008 9:36 PM
I'm truly honored to have met Eric over the past year. Our friendship and spiritual connection have grown rapidly as I am inspired greatly through by his words, thoughts, and outlook on life. He truly is an amazing, spiritual, and talented human being!
Posted on April 8, 2008 11:08 PM
"So how did Eric go from being on his father’s shoulders at Israeli dance parties to hottest DJ on the West Coast? Keep reading."
This guy is great.
Posted on April 9, 2008 8:44 PM
I have greatly enjoyed the privilege && honor of being a brother, roommate, && friend of DJEricRosen. I've tripped out on live sessions, visited record stores to see him, && his music has accompanied me, providing reliable inspiration, sweet harmony, && holistically gentle ambiance (via both stationary && portable FLAC && Ogg Vorbis [i.e., Xiph open-source digital-audio formats which are fundamentally superior to MP3, AAC, && WMA] files) for nearly a decade. (*Note*: To attain my FLAC && Vorbis versions, I ripped && encoded my own from each of his original CDs that I was able to attain... since transcoding from existing inferior formats that are available for online download would have introduced an unacceptable level of degradation to the original audio signal.)
I've encountered periods of affliction, anguish, grief, && despair during that time, where my heart was hurting from a lack of love... but DJER's music has healed me innumerable times. His poignant spirit revitalized my own with nurturing messages, the sacred lyrics reminding && reassuring me that enlightenment can continue to spread purposefully, propagating piety, permeating awareness that far-seers (such as I perpetually strive to be in all forms of cognition, perception, && insight, as well as my literal biological default hyperopic sight) know that all life in this existence can ultimately dance together, moving our bodies to the resonant impulses that attain acoustic perfection amongst the walls of our one pure common house of love.
HaShem is a DJ. Each of us is too, in our idiosyncratic ways, but Eric remains a considerate forerunner for all who might yet be awakened to the brilliance of humanistic rhythm, altruistic community, && celebratory worship of the amazing lives we are blessed to animate.
I consider playing within deep vibes to be an essential form of prayer. The lines blur within what might be considered an expanding ephemeral Bait HaMikdash, where there can be no cruelty among, or segregation between, Kohen versus non-Levite Jew, Yisraelite versus Noachite, nor disparity based on gender, age, etc. since those who genuinely discover such environs will necessarily experience a diminishing capacity for delineation, discrimination, && exclusion based on any of the antiquated old metrics which don't really matter (&& which will joyously lose their ability to be manipulated in ways that cause the righteous, the widowed, the orphaned, or those otherwise innocent to suffer further injustices).
I encourage all to attentively && pensively listen to DJEricRosen... && try to glimpse the gloriousness of our simultaneously individual && entirely voluntary communal potential to progress toward peace... && pure play... spreading love across the land (&& beyond). <3 =)
Shalom,
-Pip
Posted on April 10, 2008 9:55 AM
keep up the good work spreading light in the darkness.
Posted on April 26, 2008 2:46 PM
DJ Eric Rosen is by far the most spankalicious hottie JewDJ of this millennium. As one of his oldest friends I would like to nominate him to be House Nation President for Life, in the hope that he will dictate benevolently. You may be assured that his campaign platform of public lightmaking decriminalinization is most sincere, because, in a nutshell, how can anyone not trust that lovable goateed face;)? He's got the heart of a lion and the courage of three, so please everybody give a warm round of applause for Eric Rosen, stars in his eyes, the iridescent feline extraordinaire, model citizen (in spite of his public lightmaking, which, like skateboarding, should not be crime), and BMOC@USCBS.
Cheers!
-DangerMouse
P.S. I love Hashem too!
Posted on May 2, 2008 5:43 AM