As one half of the internationally renowned and award winning duo Gabriel & Dresden, Josh Gabriel has no less than 17 US Billboard number 1's under his belt. Influenced heavily by his love of early 1980's New Wave, Josh's passion for melancholic music and lyrics runs deep. This is why you might not be surprised to find out he has been behind some of the biggest anthems to hit the clubs and radio. As a member of Motorcycle, Josh co-wrote and produced their smash "As the Rush Comes," reaching number 11 in the UK pop charts and topping the US dance radio chart in 2004.

Since disbanding Gabriel & Dresden last year, Josh Gabriel has moved in a more progressive techno direction, focused on reaching the ears of clubbers worldwide. While Gabriel & Dresden’s work remains in the hearts of many fans (so much so that they were represented again in this year’s in DJ Mag Top 100 poll) Gabriel’s solo style has evolved significantly. Josh has achieved the difficult feat of cross genre acceptance, receiving rotation from house heavy weights like John Digweed, Carl Cox, Sander Kleinenberg and Danny Howells.

We caught up with Josh for a quick Q&A prior to his gig with us this weekend. Here’s what he had to say...

Q: Hi Josh, please tell us where you are right now and what you are doing...
A: Today I am back in Amsterdam after a weekend of gigs in the UK. I'll be putting the finishing touches on my next track "Entropy"

Q. Gabriel & Dresden was a partnership that lasted over 6 years and dominated the US scene; tell us a lasting memory of that time...
A: I'd say a great memory was playing the closing party for Beatport at the 2008 WMC. Everyone knew it was our last show and you could feel it.

Q: Which DJs/artists/musicians influence your work today?
A: Lately the M83 album has been on endless repeat and inspiring me to no end. Also, I continue to be influenced by Depeche Mode, The Cure and and all the other early 80s music I listened to in Jr High school.

Q: You have remixed everyone from Annie Lennox to Depeche Mode, The Killers to Madonna & Britney’s track “Me Against the Music”; any favourites along the way?
A: I think for me the Killers remix was one of my favourites. I loved working with all the guitars and other instrument sounds.

Q: You can invite 5 people alive or dead to dinner – who would they be?
A: Albert Einstein, Stanislav Grof, Robert Moog, Alexander T. Shulgin and Leonardo Da Vinci

Q: Given the choice would you prefer to be in the studio making music or on tour and why?
A: For me they are forever linked. I make music and then play it out and the feedback is used to make more music. If I had to choose - it would probably be the studio.

Q: If you had to pick a favourite gig to play again which one would it be?
A: It would probably be Bulgaria on the beach - nothing like it.

Q: You recently released a new solo album, “Eight”, how would you describe the musical style of the album?
A: Eight was a chance for me to play with my analog synthesizers and just have fun. I experimented with many different styles, from techy to melodic to crazy techno - its a ride through the many sides of my love for undreground dance music.

Q: What’s your biggest fear?
A: Going deaf.

Q: As a member of Toolroom Knights, what can the clubbers at Yello expect on Saturday night?
A: Expect lots of mew music. I have a couple of new tracks I will be testing out. Come with an open mind and be ready


To get yourself a little Toolroom taster of what Josh has in-store for Yello this weekend, here’s a little something to get you in the mood CLICK HERE