Laura Smith
The electronic and psytrance music duo Infected Mushroom, composed of Eisen and Duvdevani, has faced questions about their political affiliations, particularly whether they identify as Zionists. The discussion may stem from their Israeli origins and the influence of Israeli culture on their music, as seen in their Hebrew, Arabic, and English song Lost in Space, a collaboration with Israeli artists. Their success in popularizing Israeli psytrance and their rise to the top of DJ polls might also contribute to this speculation. However, the group has not publicly addressed these speculations or disclosed their political beliefs.
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What You'll Learn
Infected Mushroom's musical influences
Infected Mushroom is an Israeli electronic duo that creates music within the psytrance genre. The group's diverse sound has been influenced by various artists and genres, ranging from rock to synth-pop.
The band members, Erez Eisen and Amit Duvdevani, first began playing together in 1996 and were inspired by artists such as The Prodigy and Metallica. Their early work was also influenced by Simon Posford (Hallucinogen), X-Dream, and Transwave. Infected Mushroom's 1999 album, "The Gathering," featured a dark and rhythmic sonic atmosphere, with their popular track "Psycho" sampling the movie "Batman & Robin."
Infected Mushroom's music often combines complex arpeggiated trance melodies with distorted rock guitars and vocals. They have cited Dream Theater and Shpongle as influences on their track "Montoya," which features their signature "lead distortion" sound. The duo has also expressed their enjoyment of collaborating with other artists, particularly highlighting their remixes for The Doors as a memorable experience.
Infected Mushroom's 2004 album, "IM The Supervisor," showcased their ability to mix psytrance with other genres, including innovative elements like gamelan-like noises and cut-up samples. This album became their best-selling work and contributed to the increased worldwide popularity of the psytrance genre.
The duo has also collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Astrix, Pegboard Nerds, Savant, Kelsy Karter, and Lady Gaga, showcasing their versatility and influence within the electronic music world.
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Their impact on the worldwide popularity of psytrance
Infected Mushroom is an Israeli psytrance duo that has had a significant impact on the worldwide popularity of the genre. The group, consisting of Eisen and Duvdevani, formed in 1996 and released their first album, The Gathering, in 1999. This album, with its dark and rhythmic sonic atmosphere, brought Israeli psytrance to mainstream audiences and contributed to the genre's growing global popularity.
Infected Mushroom continued to blend psytrance with other musical genres, and their 2004 album, IM The Supervisor, became their best-selling album. It was praised for its innovation, including gamelan-like noises, cut-up samples, and old-school sequencer throbs. The group's unique style and live performances have garnered a dedicated fan base, with their music being described as "psytrance for techno lovers".
Infected Mushroom has collaborated with various artists, such as Astrix, Pegboard Nerds, and Savant, further expanding their reach and influence. They have also worked as production teams for notable artists like Lady Gaga. The duo rose to #9 in the influential DJmag Top 100 DJs poll in 2007, reflecting their significant role in the increased worldwide popularity of psytrance.
In recent years, Infected Mushroom has continued to experiment with their sound, incorporating electronic and hip-hop elements into their music. Their 2018 album, Head of NASA and the 2 Amish Boys, showcased this evolution, featuring a collaboration with Israeli artist Tuna and the girl group A-WA. The group's longevity and ability to adapt to changing musical trends have solidified their impact on the global psytrance scene.
Infected Mushroom's influence on the worldwide popularity of psytrance is evident through their innovative sound, genre-blending approach, and lasting success. They have introduced Israeli psytrance to new audiences, pushed the boundaries of the genre, and inspired other artists. The group's music has resonated with fans worldwide, and their continued evolution demonstrates their lasting impact on the psytrance genre.
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The duo's name change from Shidapu & Duvdev
The Israeli musical duo Infected Mushroom was formed in Haifa in 1996 by producers Erez Eisen and Amit Duvdevani. Their early efforts were released under the name Shidapu & Duvdev. The duo then renamed themselves Infected Mushroom, a name they took from a disbanded local punk band.
In an interview with Psychedelic Magazine, Eisen and Duvdevani stated that they were naturally attracted to the psytrance genre due to its popularity. Their first album, 1999's The Gathering, was inspired by Simon Posford, X-Dream, and Transwave. It featured a dark, rhythmic sonic atmosphere, with the popular track "Psycho" sampling the movie Batman & Robin. The Gathering was one of the first albums to introduce Israeli psytrance to mainstream audiences, contributing to the genre's global popularity.
The duo's early work under the name Shidapu & Duvdev likely laid the foundation for their success as Infected Mushroom. While the specific reasons for their name change are not publicly known, it is possible that they wanted a more distinctive and memorable name as they established their unique sound in the psytrance genre. The name Infected Mushroom, with its intriguing contrast of organic and psychedelic imagery, may have better captured the imagination of their growing fan base.
Additionally, as the duo's popularity grew, the name change may have been a strategic decision to establish a stronger brand identity. A shorter, catchier name like Infected Mushroom could have been easier to market and promote, especially as they aimed to reach a wider international audience. The name change from Shidapu & Duvdev to Infected Mushroom could represent a pivotal moment in the duo's career, reflecting their artistic evolution and their desire to leave their mark on the electronic music scene.
Infected Mushroom has gone on to become one of the best-selling groups in Israeli music history, both domestically and internationally. Their live performances showcase vocals and analogue instruments set against a multimedia backdrop, creating a distinctive and immersive experience for their fans. The duo's early name may have served its purpose, but the name Infected Mushroom has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of electronic music.
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Their 2013 collaboration with Lady Gaga
In 2013, the Israeli psytrance/electronica duo Infected Mushroom collaborated with American singer Lady Gaga on her third studio album, Artpop. The song, titled "Aura", was initially a demo by Infected Mushroom called "Burqa". It was recorded at Record Plant Studios in Hollywood by Dave Russell, with assistance from Benjamin Rice. Zedd, who co-wrote and co-produced the track with Gaga, mixed the track at Zeddl, with assistance from Ryan Shanahan and Jesse Taub.
"Aura" is a mariachi and EDM song with Western guitar and Middle Eastern musical influences and a dance production. The song explores different facets of the singer, equating the life of a celebrity and stardom with religious oppression and subjugation. According to Gaga, the song was written as an accompaniment to an app being developed for Artpop and was inspired by her different personalities. She stated:
> My Aura is the way that I deal with my insanity and I feel quite insane, so this song sounds very insane. Everyone thinks that everything I do is a statement but sometimes I'm just moved by something passionate and I want to express it.
Infected Mushroom's involvement in the song was revealed after it was leaked in August 2013. The song debuted at number 28 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs for the week ending October 26, 2013, before the release of Artpop. However, some sources indicate that the song was first performed live during Gaga's headlining iTunes Festival. It was also used in the trailer for the 2013 film Machete Kills, in which Gaga appeared as La Chameleón.
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The band's relocation to Los Angeles
In 2004, Infected Mushroom relocated from their base in Haifa to a studio in Los Angeles, California. This move came as the band continued to mix psytrance with other musical genres, solidifying their place as pioneers of the genre. Their innovative sound, which blended psychedelic elements with dance music, was unlike anything the dance music scene had witnessed before.
Infected Mushroom's unique style, which drew inspiration from artists like The Prodigy and Metallica, set them apart and attracted a dedicated fan base. Their 2004 release, "IM The Supervisor," became their best-selling album to date, showcasing their successful experimentation with different musical styles. This album blended various influences, with its gamelan-like noises, cut-up samples, and the old-school sequencer throb of "Bombat" being particularly acclaimed.
The band's decision to move to Los Angeles was a pivotal moment in their career, allowing them to expand their reach and connect with a broader musical community. It provided a platform for the band to showcase their talent on a larger scale and solidify their position as influential artists within the psytrance genre.
Infected Mushroom's journey demonstrates the impact of strategic geographical relocation on a band's success and influence. By moving to a music hub like Los Angeles, they were able to elevate their career and leave a lasting impact on the global music landscape. This relocation played a significant role in shaping the band's future endeavors and their contribution to the evolution of psytrance music.
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