Yonatan Marcow, a.k.a Bliss has quickly become one of the hottest artists around. Being in close quarters with acts like Painkiller, he promises to become the next contender in the heavy weight world of Psytrance. Grafting hard at his new album and having Israel as his birth place, his words on Monkeysfist is hugely enjoyed.
Where we’re you born and where are you staying now?
I was born in a small village in northern Israel, Yokneam… still living in the same quiet place. The plan is to move soon to the city, just haven’t decided which…Tel Aviv or Barcelona…
What artists are you currently listening to?
I don’t listen much to Psytrance music at home. If I do, It’s mainly artists with a sound I like, such as Domestic (Reference is important!), Eskimo (He has a different kind of thinking… pfff) and other Psytrance artist. I listen to Electronic (Non-trance) music in my spare time and any other kind of music with an edge.
When and what was your initial influence to Psytrance?
I got bored from playing in a rock band at age 16 so I went and bought my first electronic instrument, a Roland 303 Groovebox. From there I got into electronic music more and more. Those days I started making electronic beats with Roy Engel (aka Painkiller) who lived in the same village as I did. He took me to one party and BAMM!
What are your favorite VST’s?
My favorite VST!? Too many! Every VST that makes good sound. I recommend checking the “Void” and the new “Massive“ from native instruments.
What EFX units do you use?
I have used the Waves bundles too much… the last few months I got my first UAD Full pack and thats my favorite now.
What are your favorite pieces of hardware in your studio?
The Computer! And as I said I just got the full UAD pack. That’s the only hardware I have. Nowadays u don’t need all that much. Although I am planning on getting my hands on some external gear.
If you could do a collaboration with ANY artist, who would it be and why?
Well… Jimi Hendrix for the inspiration. And a more realistic target would be Black Eyed Peas for production skills… or maybe kick a 4-way collaboration track with Rinkadink, Infected and Eskimo!
From what other artist(s) or genre do you gain inspiration?
I prefer not to gain inspiration from other Psytrance artists for the obvious reasons BUT that impossible. Eskimo’s new material, CPU’s older stuff; those were my main inspirations on the first album I made.
What was your best experience in front of a live crowd?
I had a great time performing in Barcelona about a year ago… and a few months ago in south Mexico. The crowds reaction to my music was great and I was flying all over the place… doesn’t get better then that!
Is there any difference in crowds from party to party?
Every country feels different on the dance floor and on stage. From what tracks rock the place and the crowds attitude to the artist and the time table. In Israel I play morning time and in Austria and Germany, night time. The crowd sure is different from country to country and from party to party.
Where’s you favorite destination to tour too and why?
So far my favorite destination for touring was Japan… it feels like everything is done right.
Have you taken part of the South African scene yet?
No, haven’t been to SA as Bliss yet… have been there before but just for family visit. I love South Africa!
You think you’ll ever NOT be able to make Psytrance?
I know there will be a day, as a rugby player, that I will hang my shoes up… I just don’t know when. I guess it will happen when I start getting bored of making it and move on to some other kind of music making. For now that day is not on my horizon.
How long does it take you to make a track 90% complete?
It varies, depending on the mood that I’m in on the day. Anywhere From 14 hours to a month. The average is about 4 days to finish a track.
Do you create sounds by a fool proof process or is everything freestyle and tweaking?
If I understand this question right…, nothing is like before when I start working on a new track, I start with tweaking and looking for new shit (some kind of writing process), but after I get an idea of how things will look, I have my set ways of working (the producing process), but still keeping in mind the fresh aspect… so I have the writing process usually going on first and then production process.
Do you have tip or trick for us?
Tip#1 – Keep your mind open and especially your ears.
Tip#2 – Watch your ears at parties and in the studio.
Tip#3 – Listen to a lot of music u like in your working space.
Tip#4 – Take the TubeVst (Antares) push it’s gain and distortion to max and process. That will make u a hard panned distorted sound that u can fuck around with. (Then I suggest stereo flipping after that reverb-ing, reverse, some delay, reverse back again and press ctrl+z 5 times)
Tip#5 – Smile and laugh as much as possible.
What can we expect your latest material and where can we hear it?
These days I am working hard on my second album. It will be released later this year on Phantasm records.
I feel I have evolved a lot the last year, so I am pretty sure it will sound much bigger and better. As for ideas in the music, I will let time do it’s thing and when it’s released u tell me. The best way I can describe it right now is happy, sometimes hard smiling music.
Check out these link that Bliss shared with us:
www.psybliss.com
www.myspace.com/psybliss
www.phantasmrecords.co.uk
www.nutek.org
