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Features
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Getting connected with Safi Connection
Reported by Psylicious
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Submitted 25-06-08 17:09
Better known as the Israeli psy trance act Safi Connection, Mishel Bitton has been making music for the past 11 years. Safi has taken Mishel around the world, performing live as well as DJing. One of three creators of the infamous ‘plastic’ bass line that is used so often in today’s music along with his counterparts Astrix and Atomic Pulse, the Safi Connection is also about constant barrier pushing, along with an enthusiasm that can not be dismissed. When it comes to psy trance, Mishel Bitton is certainly on the ball and always ahead, constantly evolving…
It has been two years since Mishel set foot on English soils, so it’s with great pleasure that Safi Connection once again connects with the UK. This time it’s at the UK’s only psy trance Festival, Shamania.
Mishel, many thanks for taking time to answer a few questions here on HarderFaster. How is life with you?
Hello Tom it’s a pleasure on my side talking to you. Life has been great, I finished my album recently and with this fantastic Euro 2008 running, I can’t complain.
Have you always been musical from a young age and what initially got you into producing psy trance?
Well actually I wasn’t. Music was always in my heart, and I guess this is the voice that led me through the years. I grow up being a surfer, kind of ordinary and I never learned music when I was a child or played an instrument. I guess it all have been more easy if I did. I think that electronic music today combines techniques with music skills, so it opens a path to more producers, I guess. I started make music back in ’97 with Izik Benisti; we made the Sonichaos project.
You have been making music since 1997, starting out as Sonichaos with the album ‘The Sonichaos’ being released through Planet Music. How has your sound evolved from that first album release to what we now know as Safi Connection?
In Sonichaos we made the whole album on one sampler and one synth + Atari XT, with a black and white screen (at that time Cubase worked only on Atari). Today with the virtual studio technique you can have infinite synthesizers and sound + live processing. If we wanted to make that in ’97, we’d have needed a 1 million pound studio.
The first Safi Connection album was made with Tamir Ozana aka Atomic Pulse. Actually we all shared one studio: me, Tamir and Avi Shmaiolv aka Astrix. It was great experience; Avi is a superb human being and an extremely talented artist.
So tell us Mishel, how did the infamous Safi Connection concept start for you?
I can’t really pinpoint, but I think we brought a new sound, that plastic bass line that you hear today everywhere, we made it first! Astrix, Atomic Pulse and me.
Safi Connection has taken you all round the world. What has been your main highlight so far, given the album release and the many places you’ve performed live?
I’ve had a few. Morocco’s Rhythm of Peace, cause my Mom was born there, so it was kinda of a roots thing. But the most impressing gig was Summer Arcade 2002, on Mount Fuji in Japan. It was actually the last psy event there, cause the government closed the area there. I was playing in front of 20,000 people, and the Fuji mountain was in my face — it felt like a dream. For the record, I think that every party has its magic.
You last performed here in the UK two years ago, so I expect you’re as happy as your UK fans to be playing at the psy trance festival Shamania? What can the Shamania crowd expect to hear from you?
Well, my latest music. I can’t explain what it is exactly, it’s Safi. Expect surprises!
There is already some good connecting going on with you here in the UK and 2008 sees the debut album launch V/A — Shock Blast on PsyCore Records. Could you please tell us about this?
I actually feel great about it. I met Ed Tangent, few months ago, I really like his unique DDing style and he is heading for good times with PsyCore, I think we all are. It’s a spicy V/A, I can’t talk about my tunes there, but the other tunes there are killa, as we say in the full-on world. There are also great upcoming releases from PsyCore, I suggest checking www.psycore.eu, to keep updated.
Recently you came on board with Psylicious Collective and management, again a UK connection, that also branches over to the USA through Psylicious. Readers can hear you perform a live set for the Psylicious Radio Show’s 1st Birthday on 6th July via Audio Addictz Psy Trance Web Radio and, I must say it is a great way to celebrate and get ready for what is ahead the following month at Shamania!
I total agree with that, psy streaming is getting more and more requested by a lot of new people, and that’s what we want. I’m happy to participate in the show, and looking forward to it. I will make a special mix for that show, with some juicy sick stuff. So listen to the birthday show here: http://radio.audioaddictz.co.uk/
Who in your eyes are the DJs and live acts to look out for and really take notice of?
Music-wise, Infected Mushroom, Astrix and Eskimo. I think Infected took it to another level though. Eskimo — Junya — is one hell of a genius. I think he is the number one psy head of the last two years.
When your not producing, touring etc, what do you enjoy doing with your spare time? You don’t seem to get much free time to your self!
I have a small family, a wife and a 2.5 year daughter. I love spending time with them, it’s my biggest inspiration. Too much travelling makes you tired for sure, but I can’t complain, it’s a great job. Any creation is good for the mind and soul.
Mishel, it’s been a great pleasure chatting with you and I’m sure Safi Connection fans will be seeing more of you here in the UK soon. Do you have any final words of wisdom?
Thanks Tom, it’s been a pleasure.
“Balance is there, just reach out and find it!”
Web: www.safi-live.com
Shamania: www.shamania.com
PsyCore: www.psycore.eu
AudioAddictz: http://radio.audioaddictz.co.uk/
Psylicious: www.myspace.com/psylicious
Images and logos courtesy of Psylicious and Safi Connection. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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Other Features By Psylicious: Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino Initiating a ‘Digital Domain’ with Savage Circuit Breaking into your Unconscious Mind(s) Expanding Your Senses with Odo7 Talamasca ‘Make Some Noise’!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Stakker on 28th Jun 2008 11:37.49 What's a plastic bassline?
From: PSYLICIOUS on 30th Jun 2008 14:57.43 Plastic Bass Lines................I've just spoken to Mishel and passed the question on to him. This is his reply for you:
"In those times . Astrix came out with a brialiant idea,making a bassline out of the VSTi . at the beginig , me & atomic pulse didnt think it will work . but afterwords we just lovvved it .
we made it with the VB , VSTi .nowadays , its everywhere!
before that everyone make bassline from synthesizers , external
not any more. as a matter a fact it made the sound be more plastic and slim. then we used audio plugins to make it fat & massive".
Hope that helps?
In a nut shell, Psy trance is more metalic in sound than Goa trance that is more organic in sound!
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