“Music is the food for the soul,” says Swisa. “It brings and stores from within, moments when you truly celebrate your life or life memories in sync with the whole human sensory experience. It’s the whole idea of the right tune at the right time, so when we have these moments on the dance floor, we know it’s the right place and right time.”
With that, he proudly professes his most recent and perhaps important release. “We just released the album My Way a few months ago – as well as that, there is a new EP coming, probably in the next four months. To be honest, the album was a really big move for me because I was able to mix different styles on this album. I did a lot of collaborations and I played with the guitar player from Guns N’ Roses and another huge rock singer from South Africa – we did a dub step sort of vibe and the track got picked up in places like England and did pretty well.”
Success then, all these years on, hasn’t been particularly elusive, yet the lads still feel like they have come a long way since they met over 15 years ago around the trance scene in their native Israel. It was soon after that they discovered they had been on the same page long before. “We were both in the same scene, inside parties and events and even productions and things like music and sound. Then at an event in Israel, we talked and decided to have a meeting and work out if we could do something together.”
Having been uninspired in recent times by the music scene – certainly compared to ten plus years ago – the lads are still influenced by much that comes from around them – and it is their innate ability to combine the most innovative sounds from various genres into a unique, congruent whole. “I think this year trance and EDM generally – for groups like us, Infected Mushroom and things – are seeing the American market really making a big turn to our style of music,” says Swisa. “There is so much happening and it has helped our careers; there are a lot of opportunities. I see it as a real wake up call; you can go to events and festivals all over the world from Europe to South America and even India; you can feel the vibe and energy like never before.”
Skazi continues as a duo whose music has its own unique signature. “Over the years, we have taken our music from the biggest rock festivals like Fuji Rock [in] Japan to a bush party in South Africa for a total trance crowd, to clubs in New York like Webster Hall and Club Avalon,” he explains. “We don’t really have the issue of making our music to suit the particular atmosphere we are going to play in. Basically, our agenda is to spread love for music worldwide in the name of the beat.”
Which in turn, translates to Skazi’s studio work. “When writing, I’m still sticking to trance for the most part which is really the style that I believe in; but then the crossover I did with the guitar and things, I see it working in regular places and I feel that overall the Skazi style is doing well. I’m opening my mind up – I’m also still doing my TV Show in Israel too – hosting celebrities and having a few laughs and doing some comedy. I’m still also playing a lot around the world, playing gigs and doing all that sort of thing. I’m doing a lot of producing too, so I’m keeping really busy.”
The duo are excited about being on their way back to Australia. “We’re bringing the guitar, synths and vocals – it’s going to be a real live performance with some rock elements. The general vibe for me in this tour is to introduce some new music for Australia. I really want us to bring some fresh ideas. We love the country of Australia – there are never any worries, whereas we always have worries in this part of the world. It’s a nice change.”
BY RK
