Known for his twitter hashtag #BootyforBorgore and his raunchy performances, Israeli-born producer Asaf Borger has worked hard to become the world-famous EDM artist he is today. Better known by his stage name of Borgore, Borger grew up surrounded by music, making his career choice an inevitable decision. Although the mention of his name brings to mind scantily clad women and parties, Borger is a man who is much more than meets the eye. Citing his mom as one of his inspirations, he has dedicated himself to building his brand and his record label, Buygore Records. Currently, he can be found working on a collaboration EP with musicians from his label.
Last Monday, Blast Magazine spoke with Borgore about his growth as a musician and producer since his initial introduction to EDM at the age of 13.
Blast Magazine: Since you were born in Israel, I assume you served in the military when you were 18. How do you think that experience molded your personality?
Borgore: The military shapes you from a teenager into an adult. That experience doesn’t have to be the army; it can be any type of service to society you do, whether helping the elderly or rescuing animals. When you contribute to your society and your country, it gives you responsibility. Because of the army, I have never missed a flight, a show, or submitted work late. The army put discipline in me.
Blast Magazine: When you were growing up, what music did you find yourself listening to?
Borgore: I grew up listening to everything. I love the Spice Girls, jazz music—Miles Davis and Dexter Gordon—and classical music, like Mozart and Bach. Growing up, my musical taste was just all over the place.
Blast Magazine: Your initial musical journey began when you studied jazz and played the saxophone. Following that experience, you joined a metal band. Today, you are an international EDM producer. Did switching between those musical styles feel like a natural transition for you?
Borgore: I wouldn’t say it was a natural transition. Lots of jazz players become metal musicians and vice-versa because both genres are very complicated. They both give you a lot of room to try really unique harmonics and time signatures. Jazz, metal, and even classical music are parallel genres. As far as changing to EDM, I really wanted to feel the energy from the crowd when I played my music. If I had continued with jazz, the audience would have been a bunch of old dudes drinking whiskey and clapping their hands. If I was going to work so hard to produce my music, I wanted the same energy from the crowd. I liked metal because of the mosh pits, but with a band, sometimes you put in tons of effort and the other members don’t contribute as much. I decided to be a producer because I love that today I could wake up and create one tune and tomorrow it’s a different adventure. It fits my taste in music and my personality.
Asaf Borger plans to release a new EP this year. Media Credit to Jasmine Safaeian
Blast Magazine: What was your first introduction to the EDM scene?
Borgore: I was introduced to trance music at a very early age. By 13, I already had a full beard and would lie about my age to sneak into underground raves and see various gigs. About five or six years later, when I was very deep into drum, bass, trance, and house and going to electronic music events every week, I found out about dubstep. It changed my life and I decided that this was my future.
Blast Magazine: How would you define the term “success”? Do you think that as your career has progressed, that definition has changed?
Borgore: Success is when a person is happy. If you are a teacher and you are actually helping children learn and you’re happy, you are successful. There are different definitions for each person. I never feel successful, that’s my OCD. Even at the point I am at right now, playing huge shows, all I want to do is work on more music. I don’t feel like I have gotten to the point I want to get to yet.
Blast Magazine: What inspires you on a daily basis?
Borgore: Lots of things and people inspire me. It’s not just from music. Seeing a good movie, like with Leonardo DiCaprio, that’s f***ing amazing. Like every movie him and [Martin] Scorsese do. Seeing really talented non-EDM music inspires me. My mom inspires me. Inspiration really comes from everywhere.
Blast Magazine: Who would you be interested in collaborating with in the future and what has been your favorite collaboration thus far?
Borgore: There are lots of people I want to collab with. I am actually collaborating with a lot of them right now. I am working on a collab album with all my team and my friends. Working with my friends makes the best music and the best vibes.
Blast Magazine: Who do you think are the top three up and coming EDM producers right now?
Borgore: I’m biased because I think two guys on my team, Don Farber and Jauz, have huge potential. They are both on my label and I love them to death. Another really nice dude, Must Die, is very talented as well.
Blast Magazine: How did growing up in Israel play a part in your musical journey?
Borgore: Israel is an amazing place for people to discover music. Every day of the week, you can go out and there will be five or six different bars in Tel Aviv all playing music that you have never heard before. It’s how I discovered music. On a Monday night, a bar is open until 5 and everyone is getting turnt up, animal house style. You can just hop between bars and listen to different music. Nothing is commercial.
Blast Magazine: What’s next for you as an artist and for your label, Buygore Records?
Borgore: I am working on a collab EP that is going to be followed by a tour with all my friends. It is very exciting for me and I am really looking forward to it.
Blast Magazine: What is the best advice you could give to an aspiring producer?
Borgore: Be Michael Phelps. Practice 12 hours a day.
Make sure to follow Borgore on twitter at @Borgore and listen to #NEWGOREORDER.
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