Interview with Tactic Mind ahead of his UK debut at Event Horizon
Reported by HarderFaster
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Submitted 05-12-07 23:14
This Friday night the guys from The Gathering bring you a very special Christmas treat. In association with Israeli psy-trance labels Com.Pact Records and Tactic Records, they're flying in two of Israel's leading names — Tactic Mind and Ultravoice. Both artists will be playing live sets, with Ultravoice also celebrating the UK launch of his new 'Star Alliance Part 2' album, while Tactic Mind presents the new Tactic Records compilation, 'Massive Passive'. As the event also marks Tactic Mind aka Leon Gossler's UK debut, we were curious to learn more about this up-and-coming DJ and producer.
Originally born in Romania in 1980, Leon first got into trance in 1995 and hasn't looked back. His first love was however the harder stuff, and he started DJing hard trance under the name of DJ Kyo-log. After a visit to the UK in 2002 he returned to Israel inspired and built a studio. Productions under the DJ Kyo-log name followed, with Com.Pact Records releasing his first tracks. Once he hooked up with Avi Levi — Ultravoice — things inevitably took a turn for the psychedelic. They soon made some great tracks that were released on various compilations and got people in the right places playing their tunes on dancefloors around the planet.
‘Top of the Hill’, Leon’s first Tactic Mind artist album, was released on Com.Pact last year, and includes further collaborations with Ultravoice as well as PTX, Mahamudra, Loud and Rizo. In the meantime he’s started his own label, Tactic Records, with the mission statement of producing ‘fresh, pumping, innovative & intelligent sound for the dance floor’. With this Friday night’s event also launching the new Tactic compilation ‘Massive Passive’, and Leon playing his debut UK live set, this is the perfect opportunity to see if the label does just that! In the meantime, ladies and gentleman, meet Mr Leon Gossler...
How did you first get into making music?
I have been going to parties for years and was always a great fan of trance music. One day I was at a friend’s studio and I asked him to show me the basics needed to start producing my own music. The session lasted for over 24 hours straight! We completed a full track, and well the rest is history… I haven’t stopped doing music since.
Please describe you sound. How has it changed and evolved over the years?
My sound incoporates little dark lines with melodies and a lot of percussions and FX. In the last few years I’ve bought lots of new equipment for the studio, stuff like new monitors, UAD software, TC powercore and sound card and other new and innovative equipment, so for sure the sound will keep on developing and changing.
Who or what are your key musical influences?
My biggest influence was and is Simon Postford aka Hallucinogen from Twisted Records here in the UK. For me he is one of the best producers around, a true pioneer who has basically placed a lot of definitions to psy trance as we know it. My friend Ultravoice is another example, as well as other Israeli producers such as Infected Mushroom.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
I played in Brazil this summer, playing live at XXXPerience to 10,000–15,000 people, it was a blast. I never felt so alive, the organization is first class and the crowd was amazing. The South American crowd is one of my favourite crowds in the world, they totally appreciate the music.
Another highlight for me is the formation of my new label Tactic Records, which has always been a dream of mine. I have finally made this a reality. Tactic Records has recently released its debut compilation album named ‘Massive Passive’, and the extraordinary album from one of the most talented uprising acts, Toxical — ‘Painting the Future’.
Another expected highlight is my debut appearance in London, this Friday December 7th…
You’ve been producing for a couple of years now. Did you study music production or are you self-taught?
I never actually studied music production, but like anything I do in my life I like to thoroughly investigate, learn hard and burn hours in order to improve my skills. I’ll take this opportunity to thank a lot of friends, who have sat with me throughout the years and helped me develop my production skills and taught me the principles. I spent long hours teaching myself by experimenting with different sounds and equipment. So you can say I am mostly self-taught.
What software and hardware do you prefer to use in the studio?
Cubase sx and a good PC with an RME sound card UAD & TC Powercore as DSP plugins and Dynaudio monitors.
What are your top five psy-trance tracks of all time?
1. Simon & Process — ‘The Beast’
2. Simon — ‘Gamma Goblin’
3. Etnica — ‘Trip Tonight’
4. Infected Mushroom — ‘Psycho’
5. Chakra — ‘X Files’
What are your top five tracks to get the party started at the moment?
1. Insomania — ‘Clik to Flot’
2. Tactic Mind vs Ultravoice— ‘Be Your Self’
3. Toxical — ‘Formatting your Brain’
4. Shanti — ‘Live Fast Die Young’
5. Phobia — ‘Solo’
You first started out DJing and producing under the name of DJ Kyo-log. How was DJ Kyo-log different to Tactic Mind (if at all…)? Do you still play and produce as DJ Kyo-log?
Under the name DJ Kyo-log I played hard trance, but since those days my taste and preferences have changed and I started producing under the name Tactic Mind. The Tactic Mind sound is a lot more uplifting and happier, but I still even today play outside Israel DJ sets under the name DJ Kyo-log. I guess this name and style will always be a part of me.
Your first artist album, ‘Top of the Hill’, was released last year on Com.Pact. Did it take you long to put it all together? How did you approach each track and what, in your opinion, makes a great track?
As this was my first ever album it did take me long to finish the tracks but it took me much longer to release the album, as unfortunately I was involved in a car accident after finishing the album and spent many weeks in hospital in recovery, followed by many months in rehabilitation. As a result of the accident the release of the album was put on hold, but I never stopped thinking about it and as soon as I was feeling better I immediately made sure the album was released. For me a good track must be a story or tell a story and I am very proud of the resulting album, because each track in it in my mind is a story by itself.
You also run a record label, Tactic Records. How have recent changes in music technology changed the way you distribute and promote the music on your label?
I am very proud of Tactic Records and am very proud of our first two releases. I do work hard to bring new talents to my label and I am lucky to work with good people who love the music as much as I do. It’s all about the energy and the love for the music. Well nowadays technology changes very quickly and for us, the artists/record label managers it is important to move on with the technology and to embrace changes, rather than feel threatened by technological progress.
The Gathering presents Event Horizon marks your UK debut, as well as doubling as a celebration of the new compilation from Tactic Records, ‘Massive Passive’. Is the sound on ‘Massive Passive’ very different to your artist album? Will you mainly be playing tracks from your album or do you have some new surprises?
I think the sound of the compilation ‘Massive Passive’ is slightly different than my own personal sound, as a number of different trance artists contributed tracks to the compilation and each artist in my label has a different approach, style and ‘colour’ of music, but all the tracks work well together to take you on a journey through the different sides of psy-trance. As for my live show on the 7th December well… I do have some surprises up my sleeve to include some new tracks never heard before!
Why should those reading this come and see you play on December 7th? What can fans of your music expect from your UK debut?
This is my first time playing in the UK and I intend to make this a show to remember. The energy that I bring with my music is different from other artists, so I am sure that I will surprise the crowd and make this a night to remember.
Finally, what have you got planned for the rest of 2007 and 2008? And beyond?
Well this year is almost over and it was a great one for me with gigs all over the world, not to mention the launch of Tactic Records. I already have many bookings for 2008, including gigs in Mexico, USA, Brazil as well as European countries such as Sweden and Austria. Hopefully will return to London to play again for The Gathering and this time we are planning to do a Tactic Records showcase — so look out next year for the Tactic sound.
Tickets will be on sale soon online at www.antidote909.com or by calling Maria on 07813684399 / maria@toomuchbutneverenough.com
And at Cyberdog Camden (020 74822842) or Kinetec Records Hackney (020 85331717)
Or directly call: Prozak 07956472558, Felix 07900554509, Pamela 07765966808, Miguel 07886919940
In collaboration with Com.Pact Recs & Tactic Recs (Israel)
Friday 7th December 2007 10pm-6am
@ Jacks Nightclub, Crucifix Lane (Corner of Shand Street)
London Bridge, London SE1 3JW
(Nearest Tube/Rail London Bridge Station)
The Gathering returns to bring you a special night dedicated to the sound of Israeli Psychedelic Trance. For this special event we have combined forces with Com.Pact Records (Israel), one of the biggest trance record labels in the Israeli & international Psychedelic Trance scene as well as the newly formed Tactic Records (Israel).
In the main rood we are proud to bring you 2 of the biggest Israeli Trance artists, ULTRAVOICE & TACTIC MIND performing exclusive live shows on the stage!!! In an exclusive COM.PACT Records showcase!!!
Supported by our residents Toxigen, Prozak, Miguel and Mish-Mash who will take you on a journey through the past, present and future sound of Israeli Psychedelic Trance….OUR LEGACY.
In room 2 we pay tribute to Progressive Psychedelic Trance with influential DJs such as Bedouin and Nadi of Domo Records, Sinan from Atlantis, Etnarama & Max Stileto to finish off the night with a special Ambient live set.
Can it get any better? Well yes, we will transform the club into a psychedelic wonderland with special décor, extra lights 7 lasers, fluoro market and a stall dedicated to selling COM.PACT Records & TACTIC Records CDs at bargain prices….and as always lots of freebees such as mixed CDs, lollipops and anything else we can get our hands onJ and a all night smoking area…..
Price: £10+bf advance more on door
Tickets will be on sale soon online at www.antidote909.com or by calling Maria on 07813684399 / maria@toomuchbutneverenough.com
And at Cyberdog Camden (020 74822842) or Kinetec Records Hackney (020 85331717)
Or directly call: Prozak 07956472558, Felix 07900554509, Pamela 07765966808, Miguel 07886919940
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Psy Trance.
DJ's:
Main Room – Israeli Full On Psychedelic Trance
***ULTRAVOICE Live*** (Com.Pact Records – Israel)
***TACTIC MIND Live*** (Com.Pact Records & Tactic Records – Israel)
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