“Infected Mushroom can make even the calmest of people become insane”-Ben Cohen
If there’s one resolution you need to make this year, it’s to attend an Infected Mushroom show. Formed in the 90s, they’re a world-renowned psy-trance band who continues to bring planet Earth musical wonders. Constantly evolving, the Israeli band incorporates an eclectic of genres including psy-trance, heavy metal, house and now dub-step into their music.
This past New Years Eve Infected Mushroom created a rowdy environment at The Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Playing with Shpongle, Halluciongen and J.viewz, Infected Mushroom brought an incredible set to all their fans at the venue. Right before they were about to go on, I sat down for a second interview with lead vocalist, Amit “Duvdev” Duvedevani and keyboardist, Erez Eisen, to discuss their latest album and their music direction for 2011. Quite possibly the friendliest of artists, the musicians provoked thought, good conversation and had me laughing throughout our talk. A bit humble for their extreme success, Infected Mushroom is definitely a favorite of mine.
To understand what I’m saying read the transcript below:
Well Happy New Year! Glad to see you guys again. How pumped are you to play for New Years Eve tonight?
Oh my gosh, so pumped! Excited to play at one of the most famous venues in NYC, for one of the biggest holidays. We have a lot in stock for you guys tonight.
So you’re playing with Hallucinogen and Shpongle tonight. How’d you hook -up with them?
We’re under the same label together so it kind of just happened; tonight will be a good time.
Tonight will be my first time, but I hear great things.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised then.
Last time we spoke about the biographical features of Infected Mushroom and your latest album “Legend of the Black Shwarma.” Whether good or bad, how have your fans responded to that album? Have you noticed a change in the type of I.M. fans?
Well, our fans seemed to respond well and really enjoy it. Legend of the Black Shwarma is a bit heavier but pretty similar to our previous albums so our fans stayed pretty consistent.
With that in mind and as 2011 approaches in a short few hours, what kind of direction is Infected Mushroom heading in?
We’re currently working on an album that should be released in February. We’ve played many of the songs off of it at previous shows these past few months…
Oh, so we’ll get a sneak peak tonight?
Absolutely.
So tell me more about this new album…
The album is much different than our others. We’re taking it more into the drums and base/house genre, adding in more remixes…
Very nice. I’m surprised, you’re moving away from your heavier stuff? Have you noticed a difference in your fan’s reactions as you play it up on stage?
Haha, we still love the heavy music but we’re switching it up a bit.
And most definitely. You know, as musicians, it’s our duty and goal to make music we enjoy playing while balancing it out with what our fans like. While on stage, we must take note to how they respond to our music. It’s very apparent if they like it by how they’re dancing and looking at us.
Speaking of fan responses, while performing internationally do you notice a difference in your fans?
Definitely. Every country dances a little different.
In the last few years Infected Mushroom has developed a huge following in the U.S. from people of all backgrounds; being from Israel and playing Israeli music, do you feel you’ve influenced fans about Israel and the Israeli culture?
We’re Israeli by birth but we try to separate our ethnicity from our music.
So do you consider yourselves Zionists?
No.
Not at all?
You see, we want our music to be music, and to be enjoyed without any interference. A concert is an escape for many people and we don’t want a disruption of different political views affecting our fan’s enjoyment or our performance. For example, when we play in a country such as Turkey, where there is conflict, we don’t want people to feel uncomfortable…. though fans have brought Israeli flags to many of our shows in the past, which is funny. But since we don’t live in Israel anymore, we don’t even vote in their elections.
Do you vote in the U.S.?
We’re not citizens.
Interesting.
So back to your latest album, how do you guys decide what to remix? And while creating the music, do you have any idea what songs will take off the most?
No, things are constantly evolving. As for remixing, we remix what we want. There’s no point in doing it any other way.
Agreed, very nice.
So who chooses what you eat backstage? I’ve seen many different meals but it’s interesting to just see fruits, veggies, whiskey and Heineken beer.
Hahahah, we try to be healthy and whiskey is our liquor of choice, got to get the party started somehow. We’ll sometimes order pizza pre-show because restaurants are usually closed once the concert ends. Other than that, this is pretty much our diet.
Quite interesting.
So as I conclude this interview, can the Knight News readers and the rest of Florida hope to see you at Ultra Music Festival 2011?
We hope! We had a great time performing last year. We can’t make it Saturday for sure but Sunday hopefully you’ll see us in the line-up. Ultra is a great festival!
As midnight approached, Infected Mushroom counted down to the New Year, psy-trance music projected, fans freaked out and glow sticks flew. And as to be expected, the nutty Israeli electronica band brought 2011 in exactly how any music lover would want to experience a New Years Eve: crazy, beautifully.
