Infected Mushroom

As you’re reading this article, thousands of festivalgoers will be making their way, or setting up camp and heading to see their first act, at the arts, culture, music experience that is earthcore. Faces will be getting painted, outfits planned: the excitement will be infectious. A duo who know all too well of the thrill that comes during the five days of earthcore festivities are Erez Eisen and Amit “Duvdev” Duvdevani of Infected Mushroom.
“Every moment we have had there was memorable,” Duvdev says of the festival.
“We LOVE earthcore and are super stoked to be heading back! We’re ready to blow the roof off.”
And blow the roof off they will, as in 2004 Infected Mushroom were the band involved in a wondrous act of mother nature on stage at earthcore, creating a memorable show for all sets of eyes who witnessed the moment.
“There was a sudden break in the music, and this massive lightning bolt came down from the sky striking just behind the main stage, delivering one of the most impressive and mental images anyone can ever ask for. It was as if Zeus himself was paying tribute to an amazing set and act,” earthcore organiser Spiro Boursine says.
Aside from setting the heavens alight with their music, Infected Mushroom are seen as one of the world’s greatest psychedelic trance bands since their first album, ‘The Gathering’, hit the scene in 1999.
Perhaps the duo’s greatest skill is their ability to evolve and surprise their fans while still staying true to their original iconic sound. The fans are still clearly in love with what is being produced, as the duo have surpassed 2 million followers on their various social media platforms. But how do they think what they produced in the early days compares to what they’re creating now?
“It’s hard to compare our new stuff with the music we were making nearly 20 years ago,” Duvdev says.
“Back then it was very purely psy, yet still infused with that ‘Infected’ sound. Now our music is very diverse, covering just about every genre imaginable, yet it still has that signature IM sound.”
It’s sometimes that diversity that can alienate those early fans, but with each new genre thrown in and sonic beat layed out, it’s done with a love for the fans and the driving passion Infected Mushroom have to stay at the forefront of this worldwide phenomenon that is EDM music.
“We love our fans more than anything in the world…but we are going to evolve whether they like it or not,” he says honestly.
“It’s just a natural process for an artist. This is why we do old-school sets every once in a while; so the fans that dig that old sound can still enjoy it. For as many “old-school” fans we might lose for evolving, we’ll gain four-fold for pushing cutting-edge music.”
This “old-school” format that Duvdev speaks of just so happens to be the offering Australian audiences will receive when Infected Mushroom take to the stage at earthcore on Sunday.
“It’s been a while since we performed this retro live set, and we feel the Aussie psy crowd will really appreciate it,” Duvdev says.
It’s hard to know just how old school Infected Mushroom will get, but there’s no doubt it will shine a light back to the early days when they revolutionised psychedelic trance with their well-crafted hypnotic arrangements, complex layered melodies and synthetic rhythms.
Beyond delighting your ears, the duo are all about stimulating multiple senses, doing so with the use of cryo, lights, lasers and more in their stage set up.
“We put tonnes of thought into the visual elements of the show,” he says.
“It’s important people come to Infected and leave feeling like they had a memorable experience – more than what they would get from just going to a nightclub. Also we like to tickle all parts of the audience’s brain. The music and the visuals feed off each other.”
It’s only fitting that a duo putting so much thought into the overall experience is headlining earthcore, as the festival works on a similar ethos. Featuring art installations, a designated cinema and a kinky carnival freak show, it’s much more than just a festival to listen to music, it’s a chance to feel and experience something you otherwise mightn’t.
Having played all over the world, Infected Mushroom look on earthcore as one of the highlights on the festival circuit, especially when combined with the wild nature of us Aussies.
“Aussies have one of the best [EDM followings] in the world. They are crazy relentless party animals,” Duvdev says.
It’s certainly one to be witnessed, and can only truly be experience in the flesh amongst the sweaty jossling bodies at earthcore.
With a pre-show routine of taking a shot of whiskey, Jameson is the drink of choice, the set on Sunday is sure to go down just as smooth.
Written by Alexander Lightfoot
When & Where: Pyalong, Victoria – November 26-30