 The 3 brothers - Ruven, Ilan and Shmuel Flaishler are one of the pioneers of house/progressive & trance, tech house & electro house music in Israeli dance music scene. They are situated today in Tel Aviv, but originally from the isolated town of Nazareth in Israel (where Jesus was born), but there's no room for sibling rivalry in this trio as they all share the same passion for producing quality music.
Since they all grew up as teenagers at school, they used to listen to the most upfront music in all genres, especially electronic. Original influence came in the beginning of the 80's from their father who listened mainly to late 70's & early 80's disco, which afterwards turned into new wave electro pop, and then into house, acid etc...
Their venture into the world of dance music production moved forward seriously when Ruven studied sound engineering & production at the leading school of music in Tel-Aviv, while Shmuel focused in computers and Ilan was strongly into clubs, labels and DJing. It was only a matter of time before they set up their own professional studio in Nazareth & afterwards in Tel Aviv.
The big break came in 1997 when they met DJ Choopie, who signed them to his label Agnosia Records right after the first demo he got from them & was really impressed. First success worldwide single release came in 98 when one of Flash's earlier productions 'Amazonas' (a hybrid of Israeli-Dutch-European styles) was signed worldwide to Germany's well known dance label Dos or Die (Zomba) and backed by DJs such as : Tiesto, Scott Bond, John Kelly, Brandon Block, and Graham Gold, to name a few. Another one followed in the Netherlands's 'edm' label under TBN with 4 track EP on the progressive trance tip.
Afterwards the brothers released their first solo artist album "flash" as a double 19 trax mixed cd album on Agnosia records (2000), which counted as first Israeli club music artist album in the country.
The biggest highlight for the brothers career came out in the beginning of 2001 with replied supports by 2 of the world's best DJs & their successful labels signing their trax - Paul Oakenfold (Perfecto Records) & John Digweed (Bedrock Records).
Then they broke into the UK market under the name FLASH with the release of 'The Day After/Megatron' through Perfecto in October 2001 (included in 'Perfecto presents Paul Oakenfold Ibiza 2001' & 'Perfecto collection' triple mix cd album), and from there things went globally & well known..
The guys are signed today with some of the leading dance labels in the world (Oxyd, Direction / Sony UK, Perfecto, Bedrock, Hooj Choons, Yoshitoshi, silver planet..) Also they are performing as a trio live act with their music for more than 5 years now, when they played already all over israel's top clubs (Haoman 17, TLV, Dome, Octopus, Pacha, Forum, Vertigo, Hata'asiya, Ultrasound, KU, Vox, so..) including open air festivals as well (loveparades 99 - 2003, Heineken Sundance, Beer Festival).
With lots of successful gigs together also around the world ( turkey, Hungary, Sweden, UK, Holland, Asia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Ibiza, Croatia, Italy, Ukraine..) their popularity keeps growing up among clubbers & fans who supports them all the way.
Things looks great for the guys this year, as only recently they signed new trax & remixes to more well known labels in UK, Italy, USA, Holland & France to name a few. Got their UK / worldwide mix cd compilation released on silver planet since February 2004 called "flash brothers presents fear of a silver planet 2" ( check www.silverplanetrecordings.com), as they are being the first Israeli electronic artist to release a mix compilation in a UK label!
Had a great 2004 year with over 10 single releases, including remix to Eurythmics, and a hot WMC Miami anthem called 'amen'. Its released on Oxyd Records (premier Italian house label - www.oxyd.it ), and from there to the major Sony music UK dance label 'direction'. considered as one of the top 20 dance anthems of this summer in Ibiza, as got to no. 75 in the official UK pop chart.
It appears now on 6 cd compilations in the UK, Canada & Italy (inc. The recent "MINISTRY OF SOUND SUMMER 2004" + "THE ANNUAL 2005" cd). The guys were voted at the end of October 2004 as no. 71 DJs in the world in the official well known list of the top 100 leading djs in the world, as well as Israel's worldwide export artist of 2004 on the country dance music awards. Important key events featured the trio live in action including the 2004 summer 'MTV Valkana Beach Festival' (www.valkanabeach.com) on main stage with Paul Van Dyk, Mauro Picotto, Richie Hawtin, Felix Da Housecat etc.. Been appearing also for interview on MTV dancefloor chart show there playing live & interviewed by Becky griffin the presenter. Also played live on BBC radio 1 party in Ibiza 7/8/04, with Judge Jules live on the radio + with their singer live the summer anthem "amen". Latest successful releases, including the hot remix to Brad carter's Ibiza 2004 anthem "Morning always comes too soon" on the top dance label POSITIVA records (Of artists as Shapeshifters, Paul van Dyk, Deep Dish, Ferry Corsten, Scent..).
With regular supports from all big djs as Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, Sasha, John Digweed, Pete Tong, Judge Jules, Danny Tenaglia, Armin Van Buren, Paul Van Dyk, Deep Dish, Dave Seaman, Seb Fontaine, Markus Shultz, Steve Lawler, Fergie, Ferry Corsten, Satoshi Tommie, Chris Fortier, Max Graham, Saeed & Palash, Rui Da Silva, Robbie Rivera, Sandra Collins, Moguai, Nick Warren, Hernan Cattaneo, James Zabiela, Tom Stephan, Junior Vasquez, Victor Calderon & lots others. .
The future will bring them only good stuff !
Flash Releases
Flash -"The Day After"/"Megatron" (Perfecto) - 28 In The Uk Dance Singles Chart
Flash Brothers - "Hazy March"/"Captured" (Hooj Choons) - 15 In Uk Dance Singles Chart
Flash Brothers - "Sarcasm" (Gu 22 - Compiled By Dave Seaman - Boxed)
Flash Brothers - "Protect The Sense" (Mm2 - Compiled By John Digweed - Bedrock)
Flash - "Closing Session"/"The Day After"(Remix) (Perfecto) - 23 In Uk Dance Singles Chart
Flashers - "Global Tribe" (Addictive)
Flashers - "Nighttellers" (Addictive)
Flash Brothers - "Restless" (Distreakt)
Flash Brothers - "Deep Love E.P" (Deep Love / Sarcasm / Sweety ) (Swift)
Flash Brothers - "Release Time" (Release)
Flash Brothers - "The Flight" (Silverplanet)
Cd Compilations
1."Perfecto Presents...Paul Oakenfold - Ibiza" (Perfecto)
2."Perfecto Collection" (3cd) (Perfecto)
3."Global Underground 22" - Dave Seaman (Boxed)
4."Mmii" - John Digweed ( Bedrock Uk Records)
5."Hooj Presents..Further" - Red Jerry (Hooj Choons)
6. "Slinky Club - Tokyo Planet" - Slinky Uk Club 2 Cd
7. "Perfecto Collection 2 " (Perfecto)
8. "Traveler Series 03 - The Miami Session" - Mixed By Rui Da Silva (In Tha House)
Remixes
Cass & Slide - "Havoc"(Flash Brothers Remix) (Fire)
Pole Folder & Cp -"Dust"(Flash Brothers Remix) (Bedrock) - 4 In Uk Dance Singles Chart
Mukka - "Neebro"(Flash Brothers Remix) (Limbo) - Later This Year..
Rhythm Unlimited - "Reflections" (Flash Brothers Remix) (Silverplanet )
Radio Support
Pete Tong "Essential Selection" - Bbc Radio 1 (London Uk)
John Digweed "Friday Night Show" - Kiss 100 Fm (London Uk)
Graham Gold "Monday Show" - Kiss 100 Fm (London Uk)
Adam Nathan - Proton Radio (Usa)
Sasha & Digweed "Essential Mix Live From Miami" - Bbc Radio 1 (London - Uk)
Dj Paullete "Paullete's Dance Party On Mondays" - Ministry Of Sound Radio
(London - Uk)
Rui Da Silva "Essential Mix" - Bbc Radio 1 (London - Uk)
Tall Paul - Kiss 100 Fm (London - Uk)
Also Shmuel Flash By Himself
Shmuel Flash - "Chilling Moments " ( + "Doyz" & Bedrock Vocal/Dub Mix Of
Chilling Moments) - No.7 In The Uk Dance Singles Chart
Deep Amok - "Shades"/"Darkness" (Bedrock Black) - No.20 In The Uk Dance Chart
Schmoo - "Sophisticated"/"Afro Doom" (Bedrock Black)
Shmuel & Baranes - "Spanish Tales" / "Groove Tales" (Yoshitoshi )
Shmuel - "Dont Hasitate Acetate"/"Homelands" (Alternative Route Uk)
Shmuel , Choopie & Melanie - "The Love" (Yoshitoshi)
Shmuel - "Merc" (Release)
Sam-U-L - "Generate" (Harlequin)
Cd Compilations
"Resolutions" - Mixed By Anthony Pappa (React)
"Perfecto Presents..Hernan Cattaneo" (Perfecto)
"Lights Out" - Mix By Steve Lawler (Boxed)
"Nu Breed" - Mixed By Satoshi Tommie (Boxed)
"Cream Chill" (Virgin)
"Deeper Shades Of Euphoria" (Bmg)
Remixes
Oba-"Noahs Ark" (Bedrock Black) - Deep Amok Remix
Landa - "Music In Control" (Selfish) - Shmuel Flash Remix
Flying Camel - "Kuli Sana"(Vapour) - Shmuel Flash Remix
Eurythmics - "Whos That Girl" (Rr1000) - Shmuel Flash Remix
E Zee Possee - "Everything Starts With An E" (Rr1000) - Shmuel Flash Remix
Guest Mixes
Proton Radio - Adam Nathan's Release Records Show / Dj Rollo's 'Magnetic Grooves' Show
Kiss 100 Fm - John Digweed's Friday Night Show
Purple Radio - Whoop! Radio Show
Basic Beats Radio - Shmuel Flash 'Expirience' Show Every Month
Tel Aviv Radio 102 Fm - The Set
Interview
1. Three brothers with similar passion for the music. The discussions must be deep. When producing new material do you guys ever disagree on certain elements or the path in which a track is heading?
Before we start a new production we know what direction we wanna go with it. Mid week Ruven choosing some key elements, sounds & loops that together afterwards we record in to the computer & decide if it goes well etc…we do have sometimes different ideas in the same production, but we always agree at the end & find the right way to create our track in its best.
2. How do you determine which remix/original material to take on? Is there much separation between Shmuel Flash, Deep Amok, and the Flash Brothers as far as the selection process goes? Are you always approached together…how does that all work out for you?
As for remix we decide to work on it if we like the original tune and if we got a good idea of maybe improving the tune in our tasteful touch. We do work separately if its Shmuel on his own projects and us on ours, as he does it alone on the Agnosia records label studio (our local Israeli label & house music label pioneer in Israel for 10 years now managed by Choopie, also our agent). We produce together always in our home studio, as Shmuel does other stuff than we do on more electro/house & techno lately. We like different types of music, and we do always different type of sound on each tune so got lots of ideas & don’t get bored of producing.
3. You guys are considered the pioneers of the industry in Israel and beyond, what is your first reaction to a title/label such as that?
Well, it’s really flattering to us & we feel good about it. Actually we are not the first Israeli that succeeded with electronic music in the world, as there were 2 figures as Israeli leading psy trance act astral projection, who since 1989 started releasing early trance & acid Israel & worldwide. on the clubby side of music, dj Choopie was the pioneer dj who pushed here house & techno as some early house productions as leader here - that’s why we wanted to work with him now for 6 years on Agnosia records. We do feel we are production pioneers of progressive house though as we did it already when all else did here only psy trance or clubby house in 98 - so that’s really cool. Will keep on doing what we do best & pushing electronic music forward
4. Are there plans for a Flash Brothers album or mix compilation in the not so distant future?
We have already released 2 local albums on Agnosia records,while one double mixed with 19 tracks (2000) & second 'global tribe' in august 2001. Both been also exported to Australia & UK in limited copies, but can b found even in kiss 100 fm London shop online. 'Global Tribe' included originally 8 tracks, which afterwards all been signed to well known labels as Perfecto, Hooj Choons, Addictive & Limbo.
As for follow up we haven’t got the time to plan working on another one for now locally as the Israeli electronic market isn’t the strongest, but do look forward soon for a possible surprising project we currently work on for worldwide release
5. If you had to walk away from this business/industry for whatever reason, what would you say is/was the most important thing you have learned while being a part of something of such proportion?
Always to be open-minded & listen to others - you can learn & get more experienced this way. There’s also the point that everyone in this industry should deal with the stuff he’s best at, as like artists (djs/producers) who better do only their music & play, and not getting into too many business deals themselves as could lose the focus in the art we do. This way you can go forward with what you are best at, and leave other partners etc to deal the more complex stuff.
6. What’s in the pipeline for the Flash Brothers etc. during the upcoming months?
Well, after touring in Europe & Asia lately, we’ve got our local Tel Aviv Loveparade 2003 coming in the end of august - will b headlining the 102fm tel aviv radio live from the float. Afterwards we got lots of new forthcoming singles: the new single 'the flight' is out now on Silver Planet, as there are 2 more this year follow up there between the sp trilogy. 'The Call' on a more trancy tip + 'ways' on a deeper atmospheric proggy tip with some vocal too.
Also got a 4-track e.p on G-Pal's label 'Swift' featuring first ‘Sarcasm’ (exclusively on GU 22 in Melbourne by Dave Seaman), plus 'Sweety' & 'Deep Love', while the 4th is G-Pals own remix to 'deep love'. Got 2 more tracks forthcoming on Saeed & Palash's 'addictive' label under flashers on the thumping tribal techy feel: 'global tribe' & 'nighttellers'.
Last but not least - Shmuel has his own groovy housey tune 'generate' on new uk label 'CP Recordings', and on USA release on 'Harlequin' as well as featured exclusively on 'lights out' cd by Steve Lawler.
7. How is the scene in Israel compared to other countries like the United States?
Well, the Israeli scene is quit well known worldwide as for example Tel Aviv was first on the global underground series. weve got lots of clubs, good dance bars, up for it crowd etc..
Its different on any place in the world we get to play, but Israeli crowd are really up for a good party till late usually. I think we are covering lots of musical styles here in Israel, but sometimes its not enough as you see great reactions & underground music as drum & bass or techno you don’t hear almost here so that’s a bit of different between other places abroad.
Clubs are in the same league of well-known ones worldwide, but hopefully more styles of music will grow up here & people will understand more as we hope so. Summer has some great open air events in different cities here, but no big festivals lately - nevertheless, since 98 we have the Loveparade in Tel Aviv which then started with 80,000 & in 2002 got 300,000 people in the sunshine, as you don’t have everywhere so you see its quit well here in the end.
8. How differently does the crowd react to your performance as a live act versus behind the decks?
Everywhere we played live at you get more people staring at us 3 on stage which is unique with our equipment without the usual sight of dj behind the decks. You get lots of cheering from the crowd between any track we finish, cause on our live we don’t mix as its tune by tune & unusual for clubbers in a party, and you always get those autographs + pics from people look up for us.
As behind the decks, its more of Shmuel's job although we join him at the booth - it does rocking the crowd usually, but still its different from our 3 live, but we usually combine the both of those wherever we play live with Shmuel warming up as dj for the full flash bros. treatment!
9. What are your top 5 choons as the moment?
1. Flash Brothers - "The Call" (Silverplanet)
2. Vertigo - "Never Be Lonely" (Eclectic)
3. Tocharian & Christian Lewis - "Focus On U" (Intrinsic)
4. Melissa Manchaster - "Thief Of Hearts"(Shmuel Flash Remix) (White Label)
5. Flash Brothers - "The Flight" (Silverplanet)
10. How long do you think it will be before the economy starts to stimulate the music industry again?
Well hopefully as soon as possible cause it really isn’t such a good time for the music industry on the side of sales, labels that close etc. The mp3 free downloading & Internet possibilities are affecting here also, so hopefully there will b some kind of solution to this as well. Economy problem is well known all over the world, as here in Israel a lot now, so hopefully prices of cds, vinyl’s etc. could b a bit lower & considered in this situation, as they even just did in the UK, and sales improvement is already! This way it will be easier to convince people to buy original music rather than just downloading from the net. Lets hope all will go well soon!
www.Flash-Brothers.com
|
