BLiSS Interview

In the world of psytrance they don’t come much bigger than Israeli superstar Yonatan Marcow, or as he is better known to his millions of global fans, BLiSS.

The producer is a household name in his native Israel where he regularly performs at club venues, open air festivals and even large scale municipalities and commercial events. But globally he is known for his hi-energy live performances which includes Marcow jamming on a guitar along his studio productions. It really is no surprise to learn that Marow has a musical history that includes listening to Pantera, Metallica, Muse and guitar players like Jimi Hendrix and Joe Satriani as his performances are brimming with the sort of energy you will find at any rock show. Last out for the earthcore festival in 2014, BLiSS will be arriving Down Under for a couple of headline shows, and we were lucky enough to get some time with the artist…

Hi Yonatan, hope you’re well and thank you for your time to complete this! You last visit to Australia was for earthcore 2014… what was that festival like for you? Do you have any particular memories from that festival that stand out for you?

My first earthcore experience was so much fun. I played the Hydra stage at noon if I remember correctly. I had some concerns about playing that time of day (It was so hot) but it was rocking and rised to my expectations of the Australian crowd. I met a lot of new friends from around the globe and it was surely a memorable experience.

You have played at pretty much every outdoor festival on the global scene and must have seen a lot of changes since you started your career. How does the current scene compare to when you started, and in your opinion, what is the biggest change to occur in that time?

I think first of all it grew bigger. With the global rise of electronic music’s popularity, psytrance worldwide became bigger. As more money flowed in, production values were rising as well and more and more new promoter showed up pushing the bar to new levels. I think the biggest change to occur is the way the mainstreams perceived the psytrance movement. It way more accepted now than in the past.

You are coming to Australia to play some massive shows for the earthcore crew, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. What do you feel the most excited about visiting Australia again?

I get excited from each and every gig, big or small no matter where on the planet. But when it’s in a country I don’t visit too much the excitement rises.  Australia is a special place with a vibe like no other and i am really looking forward to my visit there.

A BLiSS show is always energetic and incorporates some awesome live guitar riffs. Have you ever had plans to expand your live set to include more musicians and travel the road with them?

That dream is always there. The good interaction between band mates is a special thing. Not sure when that would be but I would love it to happen!

No doubt you received your passion for the guitar from your early days listening to rock and metal bands. Which artists have had the most influence on your guitar playing, and what song do you rate as your favourite guitar track ever?

The band that followed me all my life were Metallica & Pantera. Jimi Hendrix had a big influence on me at the beginning and at the moment my favourite guitar track is ‘For The Love Of God’ by Steve Vai – gives me the chills every time

What are your thoughts on the current state of guitar music? Is there anyone at the moment that you really rate?

My favourite rock band at the moment is Muse – great melodic and harmonic content with amazing vocal skills  and  absolutely amazing live

You have just won a chance to go into the studio with any artist for a mega jam/collaboration session. Who would you choose and why?

Muse for the same reasons above.

Earlier this year you launched The BPM Master Class Series which is a production series aimed at bedroom producers. What can you tell us about this course and do you have any other artists lined to be part of this course?

After having a successful class at BPM college (look it up in Youtube) they asked me if I would like to corporate in their new online Master Class. I assumed I can get to a bigger, world-wide audience this way and it seemed like a great idea passing my knowledge on this way. I do know what artist they are planning for future classes but not sure i can say at the moment.

On that note, can you give us one studio tip which you have found to be the most valuable lesson you have learned to date?

Astrix once said “Red Means Distortion” , well that’s not necessarily true. At the beginning, when I just started producing about 11 years ago, if i saw the gain meter turning red i would always pull the level fader down without really listening. Today I know i can easily clip 6db (In cubase) and it will still sound good. Yeah it’s clipping but that doesn’t mean it sounds bad.. So the tip is: Use visual analysers but your ears will do the best analyzing for you- trust them!

Any upcoming productions/releases you can tell us about?

I am about to finish my “10 years of BLiSS” cd which I am promoting in this coming visit to Oz. It consists of a few new tracks and a few renewed versions of older favorite tracks from my past.

If you could recommend us only one BLiSS song to listen too which one would you choose and why?

BLiSS – Drop N Roll. That track came to life out of a true, full of muse place. I am really proud of that track and it reflect many things about me. I love blues and rock and roll and that’s really in there –  and of course it is full of guitars.

And finally, any final words to your fans in Australia?

I got many loving messages from Aussie fans and that makes me really excited coming again to Australia and enjoying a few days with ya all down under. See you soon 😉

Tour Dates
Saturday 23rd April: Max Watt’s, Sydney
Monday 25th April: Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne