In our CasinoBeats Rhymes and Life feature we are revealing the soundtracks that provide a backdrop for the gaming industry.
In this edition, we spoke to Wiztech CEO, Yoni Sidi, about how Eminem provides the perfect motivation, a current love for sixties and seventies music and his first-ever gig witnessing the King of Pop.
What was your first-ever gig, and what was it like?
It was Michael Jackson in the late eighties at Wembley stadium in London. All my older siblings were crazy fans, so I tagged along. Funnily enough, I don’t remember the show too well but am sure he would have been amazing. My siblings really enjoyed it, I do remember that.
What’s the best performance you have ever seen live, and why was it so good?
I saw Ed Sheeran in concert recently and was really impressed. I was particularly blown away by how he used a loop pedal to create music on the spot! You knew you were hearing something unique that he’d only play exactly that way one time, for that audience on that night, and this made the experience pretty special.
Is there an artist who, in your eyes, can do no wrong? If so, why?
I will go with Eminem as the one who lived on the edge when I was growing up. His lyrics were sometimes controversial but some of his songs were really meaningful to me and his beats always caught your ear. He was hated and adored when he first came on the scene, but you could never ignore him.
What is your most cherished album, and what makes it so special to you?
I’m going to say Michael Buble’s ‘Call Me Irresponsible’. His was the first concert that I went to with my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, and we chose one of his songs for our first dance at our wedding.
What song always makes it to your gym playlist? What activities do you usually do in the gym while listening to it?
Eminem is always on the gym playlist, no matter if it’s cardio or weights. When his beat drops I’ll try harder for a few seconds! His songs are often about overcoming the odds and searching for a better way, so that’s just the sort of motivation you need when you’re sweating away in the gym.
Which artist or song helps take your mind off work? Why have you chosen this artist and genre?
I’m finding myself listening to music from the sixties and seventies more often these days. Ray Charles in particular always seems to take me to a happy place, he’s one of the piano-playing greats and I could listen to his voice all day.
If you could go on a night out with any musician, who would it be, and where would you take them?
After watching the ‘We Are The World’ documentary I would say anyone from that list of performers – but in particular Johnny Cash. He had a rough, rugged vibe, and was an artist who lived life to the full and loved whiskey.
So if we were going to hang out for a night, we would go to a whiskey bar in Nashville with live country music playing. Then we would go for dinner in an open-top Cadillac, blasting his music. It would have been great to hear him sing his own songs while we cruised down the highway.
