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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! | | Goa based party animal and artist extraordinaire Nirmal talks punk concerts, metal sculptures, flying and rippin' it up on a High Tide! | | DJ Wired talks to us about the Rise of the Hope and parties, ahead of his upcoming set at Tribal Village on 14th January 2022! |
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Pspiralife: Vibe Festival’s progressive pioneer
Reported by Andy Force
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Submitted 18-06-13 22:04
A revolution continues to encircle the globe. Psychedelic progressive music is rapidly becoming the dominant force that breathes life into our electronic underground. Its varied forms have injected the mainstream with a burst of vitality, and capillaries cascade a cacophony of rapidly evolving, hybridized forms to the heart of our visionary music landscape.
Pspiralife has crossed continental boundaries to enrich us with a unique taste of Australian artistry. His refined incarnation of the Zenon sound incorporates sprinklings of glitch, jazz and dub wrapped around an indecent display of flair and funk in the lower frequencies.
Brought to our hemisphere through the sheer collective determination of many of his fans, Pspiralife sees his summer’s festival circuit get underway with an appearance at Vibe Festival in the Czech Republic. Located deep in a Czech national park that’s a UNESCO listed biosphere reserve, Vibe offers the ultimate festival experience: unrestricted music for 24 hours a day and a phenomenal array of artists and DJs from across the world providing the magic touches to sound and vision. A myriad of appreciative tales and glowing reports of last year’s festival have been circulating, touting Vibe as the friendliest, best value, truly psychedelic happening to be at.
So with heavy anticipation to see what all the fuss is about as the days draw nearer, we tracked down the migratory Shammie aka Pspiralife, and probed his mind about what it all means to him….
What’s the name Pspiralife all about then?
Well this question usually leads me down a rabbit hole in an attempt to describe infinity.
Basically life is made of spirals, and I became aware of this through a few psychedelic experiences. In particular I became aware of this in the dimension of time. The personal events of my life seemed to be unfolding in a self-similar kind of way. Much like the unfurling of a fern frond.
So after a recent successful crowd-funding campaign you have emigrated from Australia and are now residing in Europe. What made you want to change continents? How is it so far, and what do you think Europe has to offer and experience?
I decided to leave Australia as I feel there is more opportunity for me to make a living from music if I were to base myself here in Europe, where I’m more accessible to promoters. Also I wanted to avoid Aussies getting bored with my tunes, and last but not least Europe’s history excites me sooooooo much. So sightseeing and travel in general played a big factor in my decision to relocate.
What shaped your early musical direction? Was there anybody or a particular thing or event that was especially influential?
Hmmm… how early are you asking about? Ever since I can remember I always wanted to be on stage. So I pretty much have been. From country & western rhythm guitarist through funk, metal, jazz drummer to DJ and now a producer in the psychedelic festival scene.
What is your very first memory of electronic/trance music? How did this lead into something of a career for you?
Well I wasn't particularly interested in electronic music until I got my first car stereo sound system at 17 years of age and found that the bass frequencies were much more significant in electronic music than non-electronic, so that is the first memory. But it wasn't until I was about 23 when I heard ‘Bust A Move’ by Infected Mushroom that my life began to rapidly change – at that point I’d never even heard of psy trance. I literally fell in love with this style overnight. And within 2 years I’d quit all my bands and sold my drum kits. Psy trance music and culture had possessed me, and set my life in a new direction full of passion that I’d never known before.
Please, tell us about the first psychedelic experience you had…?
The very first? Well actually it was a Tasmanian fungi tea and well, at the very least it awoke me to why psychedelic art and why all the psy trance event flyers looked the way it did. Also I was at a house party listening to this Sensient track named ‘Xpero’ for the first time and I loved this dark prog sound sooooo much that at the end of the track I started the track from the beginning again. To which my good mate proceeded to protest that he was “so sick of this f*****g prog s**t!” and changed the track immediately. My ego was instantly shattered and I spent the next four hours dwelling haha. It was years later that I realised there was a simple lesson to be learnt from that event: DO NOT give a f*ck what other people think!
Having travelled half way around the globe to be here, how does the European psychedelic music culture compare with back home?
To be honest I can’t say yet as I have only played some indoor gigs in Spain so far.
You released your first album Self Similar in 2011, tell us a bit about it... did you have any concept that you wanted to convey? How long were you working on it?
That album took two years to complete. I did have ideas in mind but once each track was started, they all seemed to take me in a different direction than what I had in mind. The description of the title also fits the meaning behind the name ‘Pspiralife’.
Any other releases in the pipeline?
Yes indeed! Check out Solar Records and Kinematic Records for the latest releases. There are future releases due out this year on Zenon Records, Weapon Records (founded by Tetrameth) and also Electrypnose and I have plans to release some music that we have been working on together in the future which I am so excited about! Electrypnose is one of the biggest influences towards my production style, as are Eskimo and Sensient.
What is it do you think continues to drive this global culture forward… why do people remain captivated by psychedelic music and art?
I think it’s mainly because it attracts some of the most unique and beautiful individuals you could ever meet. The scene also helps people feel not so lost when they are surrounded by a more mainstream society. I also feel that this music resonates with a part of us that yearns for a return to aspects of tribalism. Last but not least, psychedelic music is post-modern, mind manifesting and inspiring.
What is your all-time favourite real-life instrument and synth or piece of hardware… and why?
If there is one thing I could change in my life it would be to have learnt to play the piano from a young age, instead of guitar and drum kit. When played well the piano is incredibly beautiful and can enormously evoke emotion. No need for distortion or effects.
I’ve never owned any hardware synthesisers or had many chances to familiarise myself with them, so I can’t really comment on that.
The progressive sound that seems to have emerged from your home region has a depth and a soul that is missing from a lot of the mainstream progressive. Some people call it ‘dark’ but I simply find it mostly more mysterious and enchanting. What is it do you think that draws you to create this style?
Firstly on a conscious level, I feel that dark, low frequency elements in music have always been my preference. My favourite metal bands were the ones that tuned their guitars lower than was traditional. Sevendust and Korn were my favourite metal bands. I think that subconsciously these dark elements are an expression and release of the dark and painful parts of me. And I think it’s an emotional release for some listeners out there as well, holding the potential of healing us. However I like to combine dark elements with light elements, masculine elements with feminine elements – balance is nice.
What’s the craziest festival experience you’re brave enough to tell us about?
That’s a hard one to answer... every festival is crazy in some way or another!
I once saw an infinite trail of Shammies following me when I left the dancefloor to have a p*ss. Also in Israel, a guy brought a petrol generator only to power his microwave. In Australia we have gas barbecues for that. I thought that was hilarious.
Where on earth would you most like to visit and why?
The pyramids of Giza, Angkor Wat and all of the Mayan temples. Ancient civilisation and history fascinates me!
Who would win in a fight, Alexander Shulgin or Albert Hoffman?
Unlike Hoffman, Shulgin has a large selection of potentially harmful weapons. Soooo…
What has your learning process been like in developing your music production? Are you self-taught, professionally trained, or did you pick up bits here and there?
I would say mostly self-taught. I did not have many lessons throughout my childhood or teenage years. Although once I turned 22 years old I studied music at university for a few years and in that time I picked up quite a few very valuable lessons in music theory.
What do you prefer the most, the insightful moments of genius in the studio, or the moment your track makes the dance floor kick off?!
Well that is like comparing chalk and cheese, haha! Each of these experiences is so different to the other.
If I had to choose to live the rest if my life doing just one of them, I would pick the studio time. Nothing else in the world takes me so far from the mental thought processes and dialogue within my mind than being lost in the infinitely deep moments of refining a bar of music. I think I would be far less happy if I didn’t do this regularly.
Having said that, I would very much miss seeing the dance floor respond so positively at the time of unleashing the tracks. It is quite a nice feeling to know that someone else shares the same taste I have in music and appreciates the creations that have come from the depths of my heart.
What’s it like being part of the Zenon Records family? Have you got any interesting collaborations with other artists planned?
Being a part of Zenon Records is an absolute blessing! There was no better way I could have dreamt of for releasing my debut album. I feel very proud to be part of this movement.
So far I have found it tricky to commit to collaborations. I think this is because I have so much more I want to express personally with Pspiralife yet. It’s hard enough to find the time to finish all of my personal creations let alone finish others.
However as I mentioned before, I am collaborating with Electrypnose. This is my first collaboration in which the tracks have ended up complete. I guess there will always be exceptions.
You're playing at Vibe Festival in the Czech Republic at the end of June... only a couple of weeks away! How are you feeling about kicking off on the European festival scene?! And what is the one piece of equipment (apart from music stuff) that you would never, ever go to a festival without?
I'm feeling lots of anticipation! There are so many festivals and destinations ahead! I try to always remember a torch and earplugs.
Thanks Shammie, see you at Vibe!
Vibe Festival is in the Czech Republic from 27–30th June and tickets are just 60 Euro at the gate! Full event info at the links below.
http://vibefestival.eu/
https://www.facebook.com/events/234508310006063/
Check out Pspiralife!
https://soundcloud.com/pspiralife
https://www.facebook.com/Pspiralife
http://zenonrecords.com/
Images courtesy of Matt Fowler at JurassicMelbourne.com and Pspiralife. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Vibe Festival 2013: 27-30 June
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On:
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Thursday 27th June 2013
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At:
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Valec, Czech Republic [map]
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From:
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12:00 - 12:00
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Cost:
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60 Euro on the gate
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Website:
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vibefestival.eu/
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Ticket Info:
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Tickets 60 Euro on the gate
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Vibe Festival opens its gates for a second time to a wonderland of eclectic music, diverse arts and exciting activities brought together from different parts of the world to a vibrant, intimate and picturesque setting in the Czech Republic National Park.
Last year’s guests were full of positive feedback after experiencing our cosy facilities that include a handy camping area, easy access to a clean swimming pond and a beautiful forest. They loved being able to open their minds and hearts in workshops before diving into a pool of crystal clear sound.
So we’d like to invite you back to our festival to join the Vibe and share the best side of yourself with like-minded people.
Don’t hesitate to bring your kids, as we’ll have a special area just for them with an exciting program full of activities and classes.
We’re working hard to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
VISIT OUR PAGE, COMMENT AND VOTE FOR BEST ARTISTS
http://vibefestival.eu/
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Flyer:
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Psy Trance. Chillout / Leftfield.
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DJ's:
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>>>>>*****VIBE STAGE*****<<<<<
Live
TALPA ( Sundance Rec ) Serbia
http://vibefestival.eu/talpa/
SHOTU ( Hadra Rec ) France
http://vibefestival.eu/shotu/
IANUARIA ( Blue Hour Sounds ) Austria
http://vibefestival.eu/ianuaria/
MERKABA ( Zenon Records ) Australia
http://vibefestival.eu/merkaba/
FUNKY DRAGON ( Iono Music ) Austria
http://vibefestival.eu/funky-dragon/
LOOPUS IN FABULA ( Fabula Rec) / Italy
http://vibefestival.eu/loopus-in-fabula/
DISSOCIACTIVE ( Sun Station Rec ) Russia
http://vibefestival.eu/dissociactive/
PSPIRALIFE ( Zenon Rec ) Australia
http://vibefestival.eu/pspiralife/
DISTORTED GOBLIN ( Sonic Chakras Rec ) Macedonia
http://vibefestival.eu/distorted-goblin/
FRAGRETROLLET ( Shaman Films ) Norway
http://vibefestival.eu/fragletrollet/
GAPPEQ ( Parvati Rec ) Czech Republic
http://vibefestival.eu/gappeq/
REALITY PIXIE ( Vertigo Rec ) Australia
http://vibefestival.eu/reality-pixie/
HE GROBIANS ( Hypnotica Rec ) Sweden
http://vibefestival.eu/the-grobians/
SORROWMURK ( Sun Station Rec ) Russia
http://vibefestival.eu/sorrowmurk/
THE RIDDLER ( Tesseract Studio ) Serbia
http://vibefestival.eu/1591-2/
KALA ( Forestdelic / Sun Station ) Slovenia
http://vibefestival.eu/kala/
NAIMA & JARAMOGI ( Blue Hour Sounds ) Austria
http://vibefestival.eu/naima-jaramogi/
TIJAH ( Uroboros Records ) / Brazil
http://vibefestival.eu/tijah/
TRIMURTHI ( Surface Tension ) Slovakia
http://vibefestival.eu/trimurthi/
TIGER PUNCH ( Arkona Creation ) Hungary
http://vibefestival.eu/tiger-punch/
GYRRO ( Mystika ) Slovakia
DJs
BOOM SHANKAR ( BMSS Rec ) Germany
http://vibefestival.eu/bom-shankar/
STYX ( Uroboros Records / Transilvania Calling) Romania
http://vibefestival.eu/styx/
TSUBI ( Sun Festival / Human Touch ) Hungary
http://vibefestival.eu/tsubi-2/
UNITONE ( Vertigo Rec / SunStation Rec ) Russia
http://vibefestival.eu/unitone/
ZOOCH ( Arkona Creation ) Lithuania
http://vibefestival.eu/zooch/
Andy Force ( Mutagen Records ) UK
https://www.facebook.com/AndyForce.Mutagen
AVARA ( Blue Hour Sounds ) Finland
http://vibefestival.eu/avara/
ALANITA ( Cosmic Conspiracy ) / Brazil
http://vibefestival.eu/alanita/
OCHEN ( Mystical Arts Events ) Poland
http://vibefestival.eu/ochen/
PETRIX ( Arkona Creation) Ukraine
http://vibefestival.eu/petrix/
ONREJ PSYLA ( Mystical Waves, Ganja Tree ) Czech Republic
http://vibefestival.eu/ondrej_syla/
IVGENERATE ( Arkona Creation ) Russia
MISS PISKEY ( Arkona Creation ) UK
http://vibefestival.eu/miss-piskey/
TKALII ( Digital Yonkis Rec / Banyan Rec / Medulla Oblongata Rec )
http://vibefestival.eu/tkalli/
>>>>>*****ALTERNATIVE STAGE*****<<<<<
Live
ASTROPILOT ( Altar Rec ) Russia
http://vibefestival.eu/astropilot/
SPOONBILL ( Omelette Rec ) Australia
http://vibefestival.eu/spoonbill/
ATATI ( Blue Hour Sounds) Ukraine
http://vibefestival.eu/atati/
LAKAY ( Hadra Rec ) France
http://vibefestival.eu/lakay/
SLACKBABA ( Liquid Recs ) UK
http://vibefestival.eu/slackbaba/
KALYA SCINTILLA ( Merkaba Music ) Australia
http://vibefestival.eu/kalya-scintilla/
EL ROSTRO DE LA MEDUSA ( Sticky Music ) Spain
http://vibefestival.eu/el-rostro-de-la-medusa/
MOTE. ( Anjanavision Rec) / Australia
http://vibefestival.eu/mote/
UCHU ( Spaceradion Records) Russia
http://vibefestival.eu/uchu/
AURA ( Maia Brazil ) Canada
http://vibefestival.eu/aura/
KALUMET ( Visionary Mind Rec ) Hungary
DJs
CHANDRANANDA (Dubmission Rec ) UK
http://vibefestival.eu/chandrananda/
IVGENERATE ( Sticky Music ) Russia
http://vibefestival.eu/ivgenerate/
TUATARA ( Trimurti Rec) Belarus
http://vibefestival.eu/tuatara/
NABIONIX ( Spanda Rec ) Latvia
http://vibefestival.eu/nabionix/
INCREDIBLE TIDE ( Peak Rec, Looney Moon ) UK
SPINDRIFT ( Planet Bob ) UK
TROO ONE ( The Globe ) UK
>>>>>*****DECO*****<<<<<
IHTIANDERSON ( Ukraine )
CYREAL (Arkona Creation, Czech Republic)
http://vibefestival.eu/cyreal/
2DEKO (Poland)
http://vibefestival.eu/2deko/
PETRIX (Trancecarpathiarts, Ukraine)
http://vibefestival.eu/petrix-deco/
>>>>>*****VJs*****<<<<<
MIMO TV (Czech Republic)
http://vibefestival.eu/mimo-tv/
CAMALIEN (Pumpui Crew) Hungary
http://vibefestival.eu/camalien/
TECHNO GNOME (UK)
http://www.technognome.co.uk/
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Other Features By Andy Force:
Lifeforms detected at Astral Circus!
Andy Force interviews Sourone ahead of his UK debut at the Zenon Records Special
Dare to be different: Tribal Village meets Suduaya
Keeping moving with Mechanimal!
Land Switcher – The Earth is Moving at Tribal Village
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: Tara on 19th Jun 2013 23:25.53
Great interview guys! Can't wait to see you both play at Vibe next weekend! 
From: Vibe Festival on 24th Jun 2013 23:35.21
Nice work Shammie and Andy! Looking forward to your sets!
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