Artist 1: U.V
Artist 2: Berko
Can you introduce yourself to our audience? (Tell us your name, background, and how you became an artist in the electronic music scene.)
Artist 1 – U.V. (Yuval Tevel):
My name is Yuval Tevel, but most people know me as U.V. I grew up in a musical family, so music has been part of me for as long as I can remember. At 10, I picked up my first guitar and fell in love with flamenco, rock, and jazz. By 14, I had my first DJ setup, and my life was suddenly filled with parties, clubs, and weddings.
For years, I played other people’s music — until 2020, when an injury forced me to stop. I couldn’t stand on stage, and for the first time, I had to step away from the crowd. But that break became my turning point. I decided it was time to chase my dream, create music that tells my story, and come back stronger than ever.
Since then, my journey has taken me from wild summer nights in Lloret de Mar, Spain, to the massive energy of Brazil’s Floripa Carnival at P12 — where I played for a crowd that didn’t stop dancing, even when heavy rain poured down on a pool party. Today, with my U.V. project, I bring together everything I’ve experienced and loved — into music that’s personal, energetic, and full of heart.
Artist 2 – Berko (Shai Berkovich):
My name is Berko, real name Shai Berkovich, and I’m a Tel Aviv–based electronic artist and multi-instrumentalist. I started my musical journey in elementary school, playing saxophone in the school orchestra. Funny enough, the day before my very first sax lesson, I had a severe asthma attack and was hospitalized. But once I finally got to play, I never had another attack again — so in some weird way, I feel like music literally saved my life.
After years of performing with DJs and artists around the world — from clubs to luxury events — I reached a point where I felt something was missing. I didn’t just want to play music anymore — I wanted to create my own.
The real turning point was seeing Polo & Pan live. Two people with knobs and buttons creating a world of musical richness. It hit me hard. That was the spark that pulled me into the world of live electronic music.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, specifically in electronic genres?
Artist 1 – U.V.:
Electronic music gives me the freedom to combine everything I love — the soul of live instruments, the pulse of the dance floor, and that human connection you can feel without saying a word. My inspirations come from the giants of the EDM era — Hardwell, Swedish House Mafia, Skrillex, Borgore — and from my travels around the world. I want to create a bridge between high-energy grooves and a hypnotic journey that keeps listeners locked in and not wanting to stop.
Artist 2 – Berko:
It was this feeling of creative freedom. Electronic music lets you build a universe from scratch — and then invite people to dance in it. But I never abandoned my roots as a live performer. What excites me is the fusion: real instruments, live energy, and electronic sound design. I wanted to bring the sax, the flute, the raw breath and sweat — into a genre that often feels robotic. And of course, that moment when a groove is so dirty it makes people pull that stank face? That’s the magic.
How would you describe your style and sound? (What sets you apart as an artist?)
Artist 1 – U.V.:
My sound shifts with my mood — sometimes warm and oriental, other times more progressive or house — but it always carries an atmosphere that connects people. Most of my production is digital, yet when I collaborate with live musicians, those instruments often become the heart of the track. What sets me apart is that every release is a chapter in the journey called U.V. — a fusion of experiences, emotions, and influences from around the world. There isn’t one track that defines me, but rather the way they all come together into one story.
Artist 2 – Berko:
I’d describe my music as emotional, groovy, and borderless. It’s electronic music infused with oriental and Balkan influences, hypnotic rhythms, and soulful melodies on saxophone, zurna, flute, and synths. What sets me apart is the fusion of live performance and electronic production — blending raw breath, human energy, and organic imperfections into a genre that often feels mechanical. It’s music for dancing, feeling, and maybe even healing.
ABOUT YOUR RELEASE
Tell us about your latest release. (What’s the story or inspiration behind it?)
Artist 1 – U.V.:
Grotes and I have been friends since high school, always sharing a love for music. One day he came by my studio, we jammed, and said, “Worst case, we’ll have some fun.” But what came out was much more than that. I invited Berko to join, bringing in his oriental touch and live wind instruments, creating a fusion between an oriental atmosphere and a progressive house track. The inspiration was simple — take three different worlds and blend them into one powerful journey.
Artist 2 – Berko:
When Yuval and Grotes played me the first draft, I immediately felt the opportunity to bring in a live, emotional layer. I added saxophone and zurna lines that gave the track its unique voice, turning it into something that feels both modern and timeless. For me, the inspiration was about breaking boundaries between genres and connecting people through a shared groove.
Can you walk us through the creative process behind this project?
Artist 1 – U.V.:
It all started as a casual studio session with Grotes — no plan, no pressure. We built the core groove together, then I thought of bringing Berko into the picture. From there, it became a true collaboration, where each of us added our own colors: the progressive house energy from me, the vocal presence from Grotes, and the live oriental melodies from Berko.
Artist 2 – Berko:
Yuval and Grotes had a strong foundation already — the beat and structure were there. I came in with my sax and zurna, experimenting over the groove until we found lines that felt alive and hypnotic. We passed the track back and forth, refining details until every layer felt in harmony.
How does this release differ from your previous work?
Artist 1 – U.V.:
This track is a true cultural fusion — it’s not just about energy and a drop, it’s about telling a story. My previous tracks focused more on the club side, but here we created something that feels both festival-ready and emotionally rich.
Artist 2 – Berko:
For me, it’s the most collaborative project I’ve done in a while. My past releases have been more solo-focused, but this track pushed me to blend my sound into someone else’s vision — and that’s where the magic happened.
INDUSTRY AND PERSONAL INSIGHTS
What do you think is the biggest challenge for artists in the electronic music industry today?
U.V.:
The biggest challenge is finding your voice in a world that’s already saturated with sound. It’s easy to fall into patterns and trends, but the real work — and the reward — comes when you carve your own lane. For me, it’s about staying true to my energy, combining emotional storytelling with a powerful live experience that leaves people hypnotized.
Berko:
For me, it’s about balance. In a world where everything moves so fast, the hardest part is staying creatively grounded while also keeping up with the pace of content creation and self-promotion. You have to be a musician, a brand, a marketer — all at once. But in the end, the music always has to come first.
What role do events, collaborations, or labels play in shaping your career?
U.V.:
These are the moments that define you. My collaboration with Café De Anatolia was a big turning point — it allowed me to dive deeper into oriental and progressive house sounds and reach a whole new audience. Collaborations open doors not only to creative growth but also to connecting with listeners who might never have found you otherwise.
Berko:
Events and collaborations are the soul of my journey. I’ve always believed in mixing live elements with electronic sounds, and working with other artists brings new colors to that fusion. Whether it’s playing live with DJs or co-producing, each project gives me a chance to reinvent myself.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists looking to break into the scene?
U.V.:
Don’t overthink it — just start. Your sound will evolve with you. Let yourself be a student of the process, and remember that people connect to emotion more than perfection. Keep your energy authentic, surround yourself with the right people, and make music that moves you first.
Berko:
Be patient and be consistent. It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t happen overnight. But every step — every late-night session, every failed idea, every gig where you had five people listening — it all counts. Focus on building your craft and your story. That’s what lasts.
LOOKING AHEAD
What can your fans expect next? (Are there upcoming releases, performances, or projects you’d like to share?)
U.V.:
I’m working on a series of releases that blend progressive house with emotional storytelling and global sounds. There’s a new EP on the way and some exciting international shows lined up — including one in Europe that I’m especially hyped about. I’m also planning more live collaborations with instrumentalists to bring an even deeper experience to the dancefloor.
Berko:
There are a few special collaborations in the works, including live sessions that mix electronic beats with oriental elements and vocals. I’m also exploring new genres and pushing the boundaries of my own sound. Fans can definitely expect something fresh and unexpected very soon.
U.V, Berko, Grotas – Prayer [PREMIERE] released on Cafe De Anatolia (26.08.2025)