Exploring the Cosmos with Omer Inbar: An interview with Oi

Omer Inbar, aka Oi, is an internationally acclaimed DJ, producer, and sound engineer from Tel Aviv. Over the past decade, he has made a significant impact on the global music scene with his distinctive style.

Photo credit: Oi – Facebook

His signature sound seamlessly fuses house, psychedelic, and groove influences, creating an auditory journey that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide.

Oi has recently released his latest EP, ‘Interstellar’, now available through Powder Music. The album features a blend of groove music with touches of disco, tribal, house, and tech house, incorporating psychedelic elements. Each track is named after stars from the galaxy, reflecting the artist’s connection to nature and the cosmos.

EG had the chance to sit with Oi to learn more about his recent release, his evolution as an artist from his earlier projects like Karma Tech and Purple Pill, and his future endeavors. He shares insights into his creative process, the impact of his recent US tour, his views on the use of technology in music, and exciting upcoming releases and performances.

EG: Hi, Omer! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?

Oi: Hi, it’s great to be here with you. I’m doing well and currently in Israel working on a new album. The release performs excellently and has received substantial support from major artists like Marco Carola, Enlea, Don Diablo, Luke Garcia, Oscar G, and many more.

EG: Sounds exciting! Congratulations on the recent release of your latest EP, ‘Interstellar’! What can your fans expect to find on this? What’s the emotional trigger here? Is there a thread running through all five cuts?

Oi: The album consists of groove music with touches of disco, tribal, house, and tech house, incorporating psychedelic elements into the production. The album is very energetic on the dance floor. Each track is named after stars from the galaxy, reflecting my psychedelic connection to nature and the galaxy.

EG: ‘Jupiter’, the last track on ‘Interstellar’ sees you linking up with DJ OSKA. How did this collaboration come about? What was the process of recording ‘Jupiter’ like?

Oi: The collaboration with Oska happened because we are friends from the industry. We simply sat in the studio; the connection happened and worked well.

EG: Reflecting on your sound…how has it evolved since you first started making and playing music? Are you making the music that you thought you’d be making? Did it take you long to feel like you had found your own “voice”?

Oi: Oi is a new project just launched this year, but I’ve been creating music for nearly 12 years. My first project, which I worked on from 2014 to 2017 as an EDM big room artist, was called Karma Tech. From 2017-2020, I had a project called Purple Pill with melodic techno sounds. Initially, I was chasing a specific trend rather than my style. From 2020-2024, I was mainly behind the scenes, mixing and mastering productions for the techno industry and ghost productions for pop. In 2024, I searched for a quality sound that I connect with and love, and I feel that I’ve finally found it, and it feels great.

“Each track is named after stars from the galaxy, reflecting my psychedelic connection to nature and the galaxy”

EG: On a different note…you are fresh from your recent US tour, which included stops in Miami, NY, and LA. What was that experience like? How does the US scene compare to the Israeli one?

Oi: The tour in the United States was a good experience. The party culture is different, but when people connect to the music, they connect no matter where they are from.

EG: Now, stepping outside of the studio…How do you feel about the rise of huge LED screens at festivals and big-name performances? Do they enhance the experience, or take away from the music?

Oi: I am less fond of the use of phones at parties; it detracts from the experience. People dance less, are more engaged with their phones, and less with dancing. The goal at such events is to be free and present in the moment rather than filming and dealing with the phone.

EG: And regarding AI, which seems to be such a hot topic these days…What’s your stance on this? Do you see it driving the scene forward? Has any form of AI been used in ‘Interstellar’?

Oi: I believe that AI helps progress faster, and I am generally in favor of it. Currently, it only assists artistically; it doesn’t give you a final answer. Music still involves taste and emotion. In my album, there was no use of AI, but I sometimes use AI tools in other productions.

EG: Finally, what can we expect from Oi in the next months? Where can your fans catch you playing live?

Oi: At the end of July, I am releasing with Ursul Records and will perform at the label’s event in Israel. In August, I am releasing an EP with a Brazilian label. There is a lot more music and collaborations coming, including with Michel and Menche.

“The goal at such events is to be free and present in the moment rather than filming and dealing with the phone”

EG: Thank you so much for your time, Omer! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!

Oi: Thank you very much, it was a pleasure.

Oi’s ‘Interstellar’ is now available on Powder Music. Stream and download here.

Follow Oi: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook