KILLING SOME TIME WITH INFECTED MUSHROOM - Interview July 2010
Infected Mushroom are one of the World’s biggest electronic bands. They have headlined legendary festival Coachella; shared top billing with the Black Eyed Peas to 100,000 plus audiences and their YouTube videos have received more views than the population of their home country, Israel (8 million) many times over.You only have to type to the letters ‘Infect’ into Google and ‘Infected Mushroom’ will come to the top of suggestions. That’s pretty good going.
It all started in 1997 when founding members Erez Eizen and Amit Duvdevani, inspired after attending a private party, decided to have a go at making some psy trance tracks. Little did they know then that this new found hobby was the start of a journey that would eventually lead them to International fame.
Eleven years later what started out as friends in their bedroom learning how to produce psy-trance tunes has evolved into a five piece LIVE show that’s on a constant world tour. What’s more, they’ve got fans in every continent whose dedication and enthusiasm would rival that of any successful rock or pop band.
Today their shows combine the giddy euphoric atmosphere of a trance club with the manic crowd-surfing & screaming antics usually reserved for an arena rock concert. It’s an unlikely combination, but as anyone who has ever been to an Infected Mushroom gig will agree, it works, and it’s ...well...er infectious!
But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Pioneering the way to be the first trance outfit to go live (complete with guitars) and constantly pushing forward their sound has met its fair share of detractors and sceptics. It is testament to their self-belief that they have stood by their vision. In return they have been rewarded by reaching the DJ Mag Top 10 in 2008 (12 in 2009), sold hundred of thousands of records and created a lifestyle that many other artists could only dream!
To find out a bit more about what the guys think of their success we interrupted their punishing schedule for a few minutes to ask some questions.
Hello and thank you for agreeing to do this interview. Firstly to set the scene, where are you guys at the moment?
We are now surrounded with bags and equipment as we are leaving soon for a three weeks tour that includes four shows in India, three shows in USA and gigs in Cyprus, Russia, Hungary and Ukraine.
What will you be doing after this interview?
Continue packing…this is going to take a while…
You started out as two people making some trance tracks together in Israel but today you’re one of the biggest electronic bands in the World - headlining events like Coachella; have millions of fans and were voted in number 10 in the DJ Mag Top 100. Does that feel good and did it evolve naturally?
Yes, it evolved naturally and involved a lot of hard work, but yes it does feel amazing. We would have never guessed that this type of life was possible, as you mentioned we started off making trance tracks in Erez’s bedroom, now this. It has been a great ride so far…
Can you remember your first track you made and gig you played. What were they?
That is a tough one. It was like thirteen years ago (or more). It is a good question, we're rarely stumped, but we might stump on this one.
Over the years you’ve evolved from Psytrance djs to embrace lots of different styles, from euphoric trance, R ‘N B’ Punk, Rock , heavy metal and gaining new band members along the way. It’s often gained criticism. How did you maintain the self belief that you knew you were doing the right thing?
Yes, it gets tough, but when we go out and perform to both small or huge gigs and experience all of those people going crazy for the music, it invigorates a new sense of purpose each time. Ultimately, it is impossible to make everyone happy. We have always wanted to create quality music that makes people dance and we think we achieve.
What do you think was the defining moment in your career. At what point did you look to each other and say; “This is it, we’ve achieved our dream” or are you still working on it?
We are always working, but there have been some great experiences that have made us very proud: playing for 100,000 people on the beach in Rio (Brazil) with the Black Eyes Peas; collaborating with artists like Matisyahu, Jonathan Davis (Korn), Perry Ferrell (Jane’s Addiction), and Paul Oakenfold; Top 10 finishes in the DJ Mag poll; our music being used in Don’t Mess with the Zohan; and of course, remixing The Doors.
How does being based in LA change your approach to your music career?
We have been able to use LA as a launch base for shows in the US, Canada, and Mexico, which has increased our notability here… In addition, we have been able to work with artists mentioned in the previous answer. There have been more opportunities for us here at this point, without a doubt.
Who have been your main influences along the way?
That’s tough because we like a lot of music, but we have always enjoyed Metallica, Depeche Mode, and Primus.
What you do is unique. You have the club party vibe of trance and combine it with live showmanship of heavy metal. How did you manage to get to that point where people accepted it?
Well what is new is cool, and we started performing our music when it was still relatively new to be doing a live set as a trance group – so we had that on our side. We evolved though; first we only had a guitarist - now we have a guitarist, a drummer, a keyboardist and a singer. So, with a slow evolution, it was more easily accepted. Don’t get me wrong, we have some diehard fans that still haven’t come on board, but we still do DJ sets every once in a while
Your video clip “Becoming insane” has had over 11 Million views on YouTube. That’s astonishing. You must feel proud that more people than live in some countries have watched that video
Yeah that's amazing. We haven’t thought about it like that… wow!
Your latest Track is ‘Killing Time’ which made number 21 in the US Billboard dance chart features Jane’s Addiction front man Perry Farrell. How did you guys end up working together?
Yes, we are very proud of this. We got the opportunity through our old management. Perry is really into the electronic music scene, so it was great being able to work with him… it was a great process!
You can hear ‘Killing Time’ here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-uqXH-oPLs
Your live shows are pretty intense and your gig schedule looks punishing - sometimes 5 gigs a week, How do to manage to organize it and maintain the energy?
Heineken and Espresso…
Do you enjoy playing the UK?
We love the UK crowd…a big thanks for all our fans and supporters in this great territory. You are very important to us!
You’ve not long finished your 7th album ‘The Legend of the Black Shawarma’. Do you plan an eighth?
We are always working on new music. During weeknights, after we spend time with our families, we are in the studio. We have been performing some of our new material lately so if you see us soon you’ll get a sneak peak of some of the tunes that we will put our next
What’s next for your guys? What’s the next big thing you have coming up?
Continue to produce music and doing what we do best – touring, touring, touring…
Finally what's the best bit of being in a touring band?
Eating good food.
And the worse?
Being away from our wives and kids…
Thank you for your time.
If you like what Infected Mushroom do, please vote for them in the DJ Mag 100 Poll. http://www.top100djs.net - Voting closes 23rd September
Enjoy a Free Mix from Infected Mushroom here:
http://www.infected-mushroom.com/radio-mix/infectedmix.php
Find our more about Infected Media below:
Website: http;//www.infected-mushroom.com
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/infectedmushroom?ref=ts
Myspace: http;//www.myspace.com/infectedmushroomcentral
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