Azax interviewed ahead of Zodiac [Win Free tickets]

Azax is no stranger to Cape Town having rocked the socks off the Mother City on many occasions.

He returns on 2^nd of November for Zodiac at Club Reset for an evening of ‘super-psy’ in the tunnel and it will no doubt be a packed -out event.

We have FREE tickets up for grabs but be sure to read the interview first, before clicking on the link at the end ‘cos we’ll be asking you a question to enter the competition…

I always have new unreleased tracks, and some remixes that I can’t release; they are usually for my sets only.”

After such a long and successful career, what motivates you to still write psytrance?

Azax: I still have the passion for it, and I use my daily experiences to help me create music.

I find myself to be blessed that music making is my profession, to be surrounded with sounds and energies.

Plus, the reaction from the crowd and people who likes my music gives a priceless reward.

When and why did you decide to drop ‘Syndrom’ from your production name?

As everyone (including myself) referred to it as Azax, I just felt that I no longer needed a tail.

You have over 150 tracks released; do you still have tracks that you play that you’ve just NEVER released?

Azax: Of course.

I always have new unreleased tracks, and some remixes that I can’t release; they are usually for my sets only.

With downloads and streaming replacing physical CDs, do you still think that the work it takes to write a full album pays off for genres like psytrance. (Is worth doing?)

Azax: An album is like a business card, or a portfolio.

Also, an album can have a concept, and deliver a very clear message to the listeners.

Is it worth doing?

I think yes, if you are a new artist and want to have a portfolio, or to state your own “say” in the music.

The main problem is that today the ‘shelf life’ of music or an album is very short, with thousands of new releases every week….

Thus, I think it may be wiser to spread your music throughout the whole year, with several releases (singles, ep’s) rather the just once.

You created your own sub-genre of psytrance you called ‘Power Trance.’ A lot of Israeli progressive ‘psy-tech’ acts used that as a blueprint for their sound, around 2010/11, just at slower BPMs. Would you agree with his observation?

Azax: I have created many signature sounds…

Ever since the day I started to create music, I always tried to innovate. But, there is nothing new under the sun and I can’t take any credit for it. I also had many influences at the time, and I love the new developments in the music.

I think that today it is very hard to create something new, but it’s important to try tweaking it to be more of your own and have a signature sound.

Over the years I have been to Cape Town many times, [it’s] one of my favourite places on earth.”

You used to teach at the Sound School’ in Tel Aviv. In fact, you were the Head of the Sound Department. Are you still involved with the educational side at all?

Azax: I have my own school now, called: ‘Beatmaster Academy’, Located in Tel-Aviv.

We are all about Electronic Music.

We have classes of Musical Theory, Synthesis, DAW’s (Cubase, Ableton) , DJ classes, Mix & Mastering, Sound Production etc.

The idea is to give back the knowledge we gathered through the years, and our own experience.

Most of our teachers are artists, and there are non-genre related classes; we always have mixed classes (Techno, Psy, EDM students).

I still teach Production classes. Many of the artist you hear about nowadays are my students, Artists like: Terra, Katri, Samra, Pondora, just to name a few…

Remixing: if you could pick one song ever produced to do an official remix of, what would you choose?

Azax: Tough one, but I’m guessing one of the old ‘Depeche Mode’ songs, would fit perfectly for a psy remix.

Do you have a favourite band?

Azax: Slayer for Life!!

When last did you go to a rock concert or to a show outside of psytrance (where you were not performing).

Azax: I was at the Prodigy concert last year in Israel. But with my busy schedule, it’s very hard to find the time…

Airports and airplanes can be boring. What do you do to stop yourself from getting bored?

Azax: I always carry a book with me.

I find it way better for time consumption. I think that the loneliness is harder than boredom, but I’m used to it.

There’s something special about the whole trip, that kinda relaxes me…

If you had not made a career out of music, what occupation do you think you would have pursued?

Azax: Coder or anything related to computing.

Brazil loves you. South Africa loves you. What other countries do you really enjoy playing in?

Azax: I enjoy playing everywhere, but of course, there is no place like home.

Speaking of South Africa; can you even remember how many times you’ve performed in Cape Town and is there any specific show here that stood out?

Azax: Over the years I have been to Cape Town many times, [it’s] one of my favourite places on earth.

I can’t really think of one that really stood out, as it is always special there.

Lovely vibes, and amazing crowd. If to choose one, then in 2009 the crowd wouldn’t let me go… one more track !)

How do you describe South Africa to friends?

Azax: Beautiful, peaceful, friendly and very hot!

Have you ever been traveling so much you can’t remember the city you’ve woken up in?

Azax: Hahaha yes.

It has happened many times; I wake up and don’t know where I am until I go down to the street to find out… always funny, it feels like in the movie ‘Butterfly Effect’

Final words to all your fan in South Africa before your show in November…

Azax: Life is short, so try to enjoy every second of it… Best wishes to you all !

Azax interviewed ahead of Zodiac [Win Free tickets]