Feature: Weekend Heroes [Interview]

Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israeli duo Weekend Heroes are one of their country’s most highly regarded crossover acts. Their unique blend of progressive grooves and psychedelic design have landed them releases on Beat Boutique, Flow Vinyl and Iboga Records. The first release on their new HIGARA imprint is out now and we had a chance to catch up with the much loved duo in this exclusive interview. Enjoy!

Hi Guys, thanks for joining us today, tell where in the world you are and what are you up to? What are your plans for the week?

Good day to everyone, we are in Israel (Eli in Tel Aviv and Felix up north at Maalot). Felix just moved into new house so he busy building the new studio and Eli full time babysitter as school vacation still on. Besides that both of us play several gigs on weekend. So, busy but happy:)

Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you discover electronic music and what led you down the path of wanting to be a DJ and producer?

We both discovered underground electronic music back then, about 20+ years ago, as the very strong Trance wave in Israel passed through. Many travellers were coming back from their trip in India and bringing tapes with totally aliened music which we felt in love with. Then first parties took place in Israel and we both become regular visitors at nature parties. Then, one day, a few years later we both found out that our passion is to be part of this movement and that's how it all started. Eli always been more an a DJ and label A&R and Felix spent days and nights in the studio, sharping his producing skills.

Looking back over your discography, what would say was a pivotal point in your career? Is there a release that stands out which really helped establish you?

Oh yeah! In the very beginning we had a few tunes like that. The thing is that Weekend Heroes was born as a concept project combining Deep House patterns produced with Trance skills, a progressive hybrid of genres.

So, from the very first releases we got an amazing support from the industry ppl and party goers.I guess many of you still remember our tracks such “Eat My Apple”, “Nex”, “Fear Factor” and most known remix to “Models on Cocaine”. Those were released on first year of the project exist and actually sent us to world tour straight away.

A successful partnership is generally based around balance and compromise; how do you manage these things within the Weekend Heroes dynamic?

Well said.. Beside that we are partners for this project we are both 40 year old dudes, originally born in USSR and living in Israel, so we share q very similar family background and as a result of that a very similar view on life. We think that helps us understand each other.

Do you have different roles in the production process?

Yes, as been said Felix is a Very experienced sound engineer and Eli more a DJ, so we split the production process to parts which each person are better at.

You’ve just launched a new label 'HIGARA', tell us about that and your vision for it.

HIGARA is a label by Weekend Heroes for Weekend Heroes. Lately we produced few strong tunes, music we really believe in, and then we realised we again making something that out of the today trend and actually most of big labels doesn’t interested in those as its sounds different. We think that different is good and only way to stand out in this tough industry, so we decided to start new platform for our ow music, place where we can give it maximum love and be in control on all releasing process aspects.

The first release is a new single from yourself entitled ‘Pray’, why did this particular production feel right to launch the label?

Because everybody dance when u play this tune. Is sounds like on of best WH productions ever and thats feeling of been sure its a great tune pushed us to start with it. For beginning you choose the strongest one and here it is.

Might we see a remix of this at some point?

Can be, but we normally trust our own music the most. But lets see, may be toward next year we will arrange some remixes pack for several tunes.

In terms of DJs and artists who would say are the biggest sources of inspiration for what you see the 'HIGARA' sound to be?

We respect and like music from many artists, but as been said, Higara is WH label for WH music, mostly. There will be some expectation as well.

What advice would have for an artist hoping to sign their music to the label? Both in terms of presentation and stylistically, what are you looking for from a new artist?

Signature production, forward thinking style wise and soul inside.

So now that you have your own imprint, when you finish new original tracks how will you decide whether or not to shop them to other labels or releases them on 'HIGARA'?

We're going to concentrate on releasing our new music on our new label, to grow it wisely.

What’s a piece of gear that always gets used when you’re writing a track?

The most important is the source where u listen to what you produce. So Dynaudio Air Monitors is the most important gear for us.

How has the festival season been for you guys, anything notable gigs you can tell us about?

This summer we played in Thailand, Germany, India, Israel and UK.. and hopefully next summer we will be back on full time travel mode as its been few years, with our new music we truly believe that is what's going to happen.

What can fans expect for the remainder of 2019 from both yourselves and the label?

Big basslines, lovely hooks and massive tunes overall. Watch out for new stuff by WH coming on HIGARA and let us know if you like it!

'Pray' is out now on HIGARA, you can purchase the release here: https://bit.ly/31HhWUl