Astrix

Not to be confused with asterix.
This article is about a person named Astrix. For "asterisk", see Asterisk (disambiguation). For other uses, see Asterix (disambiguation).
Astrix
Birth name Avi Shmailov
Born May 12, 1981
USSR, Caucasus
Genres Psychedelic trance
Occupation(s) Musician, DJ, record producer
Years active 1995–present
Labels HOM-Mega Productions, Spiraltrax Label Group, Tokyo Productions, Plastik Park
Associated acts Infected Mushroom, Alien Project, Astral Projection, Atomic Pulse, G.M.S.

Astrix (pseudonym of Avi Shmailov; in Hebrew: אבי שמיילוב) is an international trance music dj and producer specializing in the subgenre of Full On psychedelic trance.

In 2006 Astrix reached #41 (+34 rise) in DJMag's "Top 100 DJs" yearly rank along with a rise of several other Israeli musicians (the highest being Infected Mushroom ranked #9)[1] marking a significant worldwide popularisation of the Israeli electronic music scene. In 2007 Astrix reached #18 on the list.

Early career

Astrix was born in USSR, to a Mountain Jewish family in the Caucasus and grew up in Tel Aviv, Israel. He began recording music under the name Astrix in 1997, sometimes misconceived to be taken from the Asterix comic books. An interview on UK clubbing website Harderfaster.net revealed the name was chosen for simply sounding good, and not directly influenced by anything in particular.

1995–2002

Astrix started as a DJ in 1995 playing alternative and 1980s music. It was during this time that he learned about electronic music. In 1997 he began his first in-house studio recordings using a personal computer. He discovered trance in 1997 after being invited to a trance party. "At first it was a very new and strange experience for me and I couldn't find myself, but I was impressed by the energy and the impact that the music had made on the people at the party."[2] At the beginning of his career in the late 1990s he produced tracks in the "nitzhonot" style of trance, an uplifting, anthemic off-shoot of Goa trance. His first tracks were "In Peace" and "Eakhis World," which both appeared on the well-known nitzhonot compilation "Ptzatzot 3."

2002–2005

In 2002, Astrix signed to leading EDM label HOMmega and was introduced to the world with his debut album "Eye To Eye". Things started to roll for Astrix from that point on, the world wide scene fell captivated with his unique, smart melodic style. From that point, Astrix started working on several other projects. In a 2003 interview Astrix said that in fact he worked on 3 albums by Alien Project, but its maintainer Ari Linker did not give him credit.[3] Touring massively after the "Eye To Eye" album release and working on other projects didn't leave much studio time for Avi and it took two years to write & perfect his second album, "Artcore" which came out in 2004. "Artcore" was a lauded album for its sonic picture and it showcased the musical evolution of Astrix, tracks from the album were used in movies, video games and TV commercials.

2005–2010

Once Astrix's musical sound got familiarized as his trademark, he turned to invest the years after to developing his DJ persona. Compiling & producing for leading brands such as: "Nu-clear Visions of Israel" (Tip/2003), "Psychedelic Academy" (Hit Mania/2005) and "Astrix & Friends" (DJ mag/2007). In 2009 Astrix's label, HOMmega productions, was the first to release an Astrix digital artist album, on a compact stick flash drive format, "One Step Ahead" (HOMmega/2009) Evolving into one the world known DJ MAG TOP 100 DJs placed Astrix on the roads for an almost nonstop world wide tour.

He rocked festivals across the globe including Dance Valley, SW4, Creamfileds, Love Parade, UAF, Planeta Atlantida and headlined nights in the best clubs and venues such as Alexandra Palace, Brixton Academy, Pacha, Ministry of sounds, The City, Volume, Nox, amongst others.

2010–present

Over the last couple of years, studio time was a rare commodity for Astrix, but nevertheless he managed to find the extra hours to work on his 3rd studio album for HOMmega. "Red Means Distortion" is the result of some very late night sessions, everything to reach the perfection he needed to meet the expectations of those who were waiting patiently for his 3rd studio album.

The "Acid Rocker" EP, which was released in August 2010,[4] was the first appetizer from Astrix's long awaited new studio album, "Red Means Distortion". As bonus material, it included a remix by well-known trance artist Pixel of the huge international hit "Closer To Heaven" featured vocalist Michele Adamson, and a fresh new GMS 2010 remix to Astrix's classic all-time-hit "Eye To Eye". In September, a month after the EP "Acid rocker" was released, the long anticipated 3rd album "Red means distortion" was released.[5] Starting in August 2010, Astrix has been creating mix sessions titled "Trance for Nations".[6]

Musical style

Astrix's music is known for his solid, driving basslines and ascending melodies. It is very uplifting and, as far as psychedelic trance goes, fairly "hard" and is also usually played during sunrise and the morning at outdoor trance parties. Many would consider his style to be a crossover between "full-on" and the "clubbier" end of Trance, exemplfied by his Psychedelic Academy Mix.

Astrix audio productions often have a deep and intricate sonic picture, which sometimes incorporate changes of drum beat and tempo.

Influences

Astrix has been cited as being musically influenced by Infected Mushroom. "I look up to them for inspiration and for some kind of spiritual fuel as it were." Other influences include Linkin Park and Tiësto. "I also have a love for alternative bands like Linkin Park, and for ‘club personality’ I like Tiësto, he inspires me very much to see how well you can mix business with music and how big you can become from something that was so small in the beginning."[7]

Discography

Discography other

Tracks & remixes released on compilations

Track Name: Artist - Album/Compilation

Video DVD Vision Quest

Video DVD other

References

  1. ↑ DJmag.com: Top 100 DJs - Results & History
  2. ↑ Chaishop: Astrix — interview and biographical info
  3. ↑ Interview with Astrix at IsraTrance.com, 01/2003
  4. ↑ EP information
  5. ↑ Red Means Distortion information
  6. ↑ Astrix Myspace
  7. ↑ 4Clubbers: Interview with Astrix written by Caroline Banx

External links