The mighty Mushrooms return with their ‘Friends’ at Dim Mak
Interview : Dan Prince
Amit, Erez welcome back to DMCWORLD, where are on planet dance are you today?
“We just finished playing at Emmaboda Festival in Sweden. We love that party.”
A brilliant new EP out on Dim Mak is sending the world crazy right now, please talk us through ‘Friends on Mushrooms Vol3’…
“Thank you – we are very happy with this new volume. We collaborated with Savant again (for Rise Up) – we really dig his sound and we think it’s an epic tune. The other three are originals we have been working on, we think they round off the package and provide a nice glimpse into the evolution of our sound. We are constantly changing but we like to keep that “Infected” sound.”
You were very excited prior to Volume 1 coming out explaining that the concept of the EP series was collaborations – “and you are going to hear a lot of them” you enthused. It wasn’t so long ago however that you said you simply didn’t have time for collabs as you and the artists you wanted to work with were busy all over the world. So who slowed down!!!?
“Well, we go back and forth, but ultimately there’s always time to work with another artist. We will continue working with others on this collaborative project. We have some fun ones in the works, which I’m sure you’ll find out more about very soon!”
What is the latest on the ambient album we’ve been hearing about?
“We are working hard on it, and we think it’ll be very well received. We haven’t focused on ambient-style electronic music since the “second side” of the Converting Vegetarians album. It’s been a long time coming, and we are excited to make it happen.”
You began as a hardcore trance dance-rock band, slowly but surely you came back to your heavy metal roots. It seems that every interview I read with you guys the reporter is asking how you two would describe your sound today. All I know is that you like to always explore different opportunities! So guys, where are your heads at musically in 2014?
“We are constantly evolving, we always want to try new things, to incorporate new sounds. We like to make unique music that makes people go mental, and that’s what we will continue to do into the next decade.”
You average some 120 shows per year, your live shows characterized by your extraordinary visuals and live show. Everybody loved The Emulator! Talk us through an Infected Mushroom live show in 2014…
“Our set type changes from show to show, but our typical pod show involves two massive spheres – one of which is for Erez and his synths, the other is for me (Duvdev) and the Emulator. It’s pretty nuts, we have heard people describe the visual show as “tripping without the drugs.” We are now incorporating the band into the projection show, kind of a hybrid of the band-visual performance. We are also starting to brainstorm a new production for 2015.”
In an interview in 2004 you said…”There is a difference between the Israeli sound and the European sound.” Ten years later, do you still stick to that statement?
“Sure, of course. Sound is influenced by your surroundings. Even the Psy-Trance DJ’s of 10 years ago are making some really cool House music these days. Everyone evolves but they keep their intrinsic sound. House music from Sweden sounds different from House Music in Chicago, which sounds different from House Music in Russia, which sounds different from House music in Israel.”
What’s your take on all the emerging live acts, opposed to DJ sets?
“More power to them! Keep the audience buying tickets.”
So we are on the Infected Mushroom tour bus, what is on the sound system blaring out artist wise?
“We dig Zedd, Porter Robinson, Skrillex, Metallica, Primus, etc…”
You appeared at Electric Daisy Carnival last week…what are the biggest differences from playing massive events like EDC in 2014 to similar sized events from back in the day?
“The production value is the main difference. Now you have fireworks, crazy stages, lights, sound, performers. Things were way more scaled down back in the day.”
You love festivals like Coachella and Burning Man – what though is the wildest event you have taken part in…?
“Burning Man was probably the craziest festival we have played. Nuts.”
Who are some of emerging artists you are digging at the moment?
“There’s tons but we dig Pegboard Nerds, Savant, Opiuo, Maor Levi…”
What is 1 album you both own that your fans would be very surprised you had in your collection?
“Celine Dion – but that’s the wife’s fault, swear!”
And finally…what is next for Infected Mushroom? Any signs of slowing down? Any signs of spending more time with your families? Or is still jumping around like gorillas and bringing the noise?
“We like jumping around like gorillas. We spend the weekdays with our family, the week nights in the studio, and the weekends on the road. We will continue pushing boundaries as long as we can!
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