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Features
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Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! |
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Prozak’s Russian Revolution
Reported by Craig H
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Submitted 11-03-04 09:02
The unmistakable and uplifting style of Prozak’s hard and euphoric trance sets are now not only a regular feature in London’s underground hard dance scene, but also more and more frequently to the clubs and festivals of Eastern Europe and old Soviet bloc. Most recent travels have presented the DJ skills of Prozak (a.k.a. Isaac Houlli) to a surprisingly progressive and thriving clubbing scene in the Russian capital Moscow.
Reflects Isaac, “My first impression was that the Russian clubbers know exactly what they like.” Departing from his more familiar trance guise, the music of choice in Moscow was predominantly progressive and funky house. “One thing that struck me immediately was the effort that punters put into their appearance, and this certainly reflects in their behaviour and musical persuasion.”
Isaac has played regularly in countries such as Croatia, Bulgaria, Armenia and even Israel over the past few years. “I found that musical tastes across Eastern Europe do differ, but I also think it has a lot to do with seasons. Trance and techno are definitely more popular in the summers and go down very well at festivals. Last summer I was lucky enough to play in front of 20 000 people at an outdoor event in Bulgaria which was amazing.”
As Prozak he has headlined many events here in London, and held numerous residencies including Smile, Logic, Antiworld, Quake and his latest project as co-promoter of new night Subsonica. Beyond the impressive DJ credentials he has also been a driving force behind the PH Level record label and runs LG4 Studios in Wembley. Isaac has steadily placed himself to cope with all facets of playing, promoting and now producing dance music. Initially known as a purely trance DJ, Isaac has steadily branched into areas of more funky and progressive house. “I think one has to be open-minded these days as trends do change, and I have also often been asked to play in places where tastes are decidedly different from here.” Prozak has appeared alongside some of the biggest names in the business on his travels e.g. Dave Lambert, Tall Paul, Darren Shambalah, Lisa Lashes, and also on Kiss FM and Entice FM.
This versatile attitude paid dividends in that Isaac got to play alongside progressive maestro Dave Seaman at Club Slava in Moscow last month. “The musical tastes in Moscow were varied, but consistent in that. The progressive dominance also had hints of techno and trance, with punters displaying their intolerance if these lines were crossed too often.” Clubbing in Moscow is a big event, with much effort from club promoters and clubbers alike. “Clubs themselves are pretty stylish. One of the clubs I played was Ministryclub (www.ministryclub.ru) which had awesome décor and probably the best sound system in the city.” According to Isaac the vibe at events was always good, with very little attitude from anybody. “People were smart and trendy, and there purely to have a good time. In all, Russia was a very good experience and I will certainly be back there in the near future.”
The next few weeks sees Prozak concentrate on Subsonica on 19 March along with co-promoter Craig Gunn. “Basically we are taking our collective experience gained in the dance scene as DJ’s, promoter and producer and channeling it into an event we hope will serve the underground.” The scene has changed dramatically in the last 18 months or so, with both parties being aware of and internalizing that change with Subsonica. Just as Prozak experienced in Russia, so clubbers in the London scene are becoming much more aware of what they want from events, lately manifesting itself it in a welcome change from the regularly regurgitated DJ line ups and monotone music policies that put an end to a good few promotions over the last year or so.
According to Prozak; “We have to start becoming aware of different genres of music and the value that they add to our promotions in both a musical and social sense.” This trend has certainly been initiated and mirrored by many promoters, with the single genre events seemingly in the minority. Two or even three rooms of distinctly different music were rarely seen 2 or 3 years ago, but now seem standard at every so called “hard dance” promotion. Not only does it serve as a great PR exercise in exposing the various genres to a wider variety of punters, but also provide them a choice which is so vital to any successful venture.
Both Craig (a.k.a. Cerberus in his early days on the trance circuit with Chaos and Lunacy) and Prozak rose through an Antipodean dominated underground scene that once represented the face of hard dance events in London. Craig’s experience as a promoter has provided him a successful contact list in all aspects of the scene. Prozak again has proved his worth not only behind the decks, but also often seen with his shoulder bag and a big smile dishing out mix CD’s and promo vinyl at events all over. “One thing I have realized is that even the cycles of Antipodeans are changing in their musical tastes and even awareness. It used to be the hard house or nothing attitude. Not any more.” It seems even the face of the traditional Antipodean house party has changed. Gone are the days of DJ’s banging away at 160bpm before even the last round at the pub has been called. Now even these debaucherous affairs even have a progression in the music policy. Does this reflect that change in attitude Prozak speaks of?
One thing that Prozak has managed to do is not only maintain contact with this scene, but also effectively move into other areas as proved by his exploits in playing to diverse crowds in London and of course in Eastern Europe and beyond. “With Subsonica, Craig and I hope to use this experience and hopefully attract a diverse group which always makes a party better. It’s not only the music, but definitely the type of people one attracts that really makes for a successful promotion in the long run. This is the ethic we would like to build on and take with us in future Subsonica events.”
LG Studios: www.lg4.co.uk
EventID 71e34e0ff625eb5f6467003098e3ba68: No matching event found
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Comments:
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From: houseCHICK on 11th Mar 2004 11:04.07 Oi Oi!!! Excellent profile of one of the nicest, down to earth, dj's.
Prozak, I can't wait to see you play out at the Fortress on 19 March.
Best of luck!
From: Prozak on 11th Mar 2004 11:39.07 Thanx House Chick,
Should be one of the best gigs in London's underground scene.
Hope your all well and coming down on the 19th.
Prozak x x x
From: HouseGuy on 11th Mar 2004 12:22.14 Hi Prozak,
fab review, can't wait to see you play at the fortress. Luv the mix cd.
From: Neil English on 11th Mar 2004 13:11.29 Hello m8, excellent review, glad your doing so well! see you soon
From: lady rainbow on 11th Mar 2004 17:43.31 Add your comments here !
From: lady rainbow on 11th Mar 2004 17:44.24 Add your comments here !
From: lady rainbow on 11th Mar 2004 17:46.43 Add your comments here ! Hello my darlin you look beautiful
me and Mr Mush are looking forward to seein you next week,
I am also bringing my friend Johnny.
lots love MichMush xxxx
From: Prozak on 12th Mar 2004 11:45.17 Thanx My Peps, its gunna be a great one on the 19th, i can feel it. already 100 tickets are gone!!! WOW!
Thanx for all your support, Remember, this is a party for the friends and loved ones, so bring em all.
All the best this weekend.
Prozak XXX
From: Karl Alexander on 12th Mar 2004 16:09.50 good stuff Prozak
From: Flip on 12th Mar 2004 16:12.16 Nice one dude
From: Dr DUZZIT on 13th Mar 2004 11:09.13 prozie magrozie, wicked review mate. see you soon bruvva, u d man!!
From: Bagel on 13th Mar 2004 13:50.32 Good work mate...nic eto see a top bloke doing so well...Eastern Europe sound slike a fascinating place to get amoungt it! See you at Subsonica
From: Ben Holder on 15th Mar 2004 10:52.35 Good work Prozak me old china!
wikid profile
c u soon mate
From: Jim Wild on 15th Mar 2004 18:15.56 Nice one matey
From: digtherig on 16th Mar 2004 12:03.48 Eh up...Haven't bin to a hard dancey do in a while...bin floating a round in psy-land...but am really lookin forward to this one - something a little different I think...and the Fortress - perfect place for a good stomp...See you by the speakers...j
From: Cerberus on 16th Mar 2004 12:38.14 Revolution Revolution......here cometh SUBSONICA at the FORTRESS this Friday.....I am going weak at the knees thinking about it...nice serious poses P.....
From: Prozak on 17th Mar 2004 11:16.39 Once again, thanx guys for all your support, it really means a lot to me. Hope to see you all on friday19th march at the fortress, send your FULL names to subsonicadance@yahoo.co.uk
From: Prozak on 18th Mar 2004 14:18.17 Well guys, Subsonica tomorrow night looks set to be an excellent night. We've not much space left on the paying guest list. So full steam ahead. We've got a roof terrace, one floor with funky and progressive house and another floor with hard uplifting dance and trance. A man with the funny gasy stuff. Lights to blow your head off and projection screans all over the place. Get ready for some brain loss friday night.
Keep well all.
PROZAK
From: Dr DUZZIT on 21st Mar 2004 13:46.02 Add your comments here !
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