Into the Vortext with Gorovich – Interview
We first bumped into Gorovich as half of the Empirikal project with Dekel and soon as part of the Loud live band show taking care of percussion and electronics. Right from the first encounter it was clear that there is an interesting voice here. The releases that followed in Hommega just made it more clear, and so, with an excellent debut album in Iboga Records just released, we had to talk to Nimrod and discover a bit more.
While you read listen to an exclusive mix Gorovich made for Tranncentral:
Q: Who are you Gorovich?
A : That’s a good question. I ask this question every day and still don’t have a clear answer. I guess it keeps changing and reshaping but if I must describe the character in a few words, I’d say: Gorovich is that dude with the beard who’s trying to bring something new and different.
Q : How did you become a psytrance artist? Did you expect that to happen? Is your mom happy?
A : I don’t consider myself a Psytrance artist. I’m a musician. I’ve been playing music since I was 9 years old. Started as a drummer playing Israeli folk music with my father and grandfather. Later on I became a drummer in the Israeli Indie scene playing, touring and recording with different bands. At that period I was also busy composing and producing various original soundtracks for films, theater and contemporary dance.
…as I started working … I thought to myself that if I intend to make an original piece, I want every sound of it to be completely mine, that every sound that appears would be ‘custom made’ for the track. When the track started to take shape, I suddenly heard something there that I’ve never heard before in my music … I fell in love with it.
At some point, my interest in producing electronic music grew. It was always around me. All my friends were into Psytrance music and we always loved to host wild friends parties, so I wanted to create music that we would all love to listen to, dance to and enjoy. I guess this was the time I became a Psytrance artist.
I’m very grateful that my mom is a true fan. She listens to all my music and when she can she comes to parties to see me play live. I guess she is happy wherever I’m happy.
Q : You have just released your debut album – Vortex – with Iboga Records. Tell us a bit about it.
A : I began working on the album in early 2017 as my first solo project. When I was about to finish the album, my former label Hommega ceased to exist after the tragic death of the founder Eyal Yankovich. It was a sad period full of question marks and I was searching for a new home to release my music.
I was lucky enough to get in touch with the amazing crew of FM Booking who took me in with full support and introduced me to Iboga, another tremendous crew. The connection with Iboga was immediate and natural. They loved the music and were happy to release it.
Get Gorovich – Vortex: https://www.beatport.com/release/vortex/2596054
Q : We really like the album, and your sound in general, it sounds fresh and different, something we miss in Psytrance lately. Can you tell us a bit about your inspirations and creative process?
A : From the start, I felt an obligation to create something different with a unique statement. It took me a while to realize what direction I want to take sound-wise and content-wise for this album.
I was always influenced by 90s trance music – X-Dream, Synchro, Hallucinogen, Midimiliz, Organic Noise, and many others. I feel very connected to that period and the spirit that existed then. It sounds as though the artists of that time were very experimental and creative and the search for a unique sound was their main characteristic.
I wanted to bring some of that approach into the present – something that will be pleasant to listen to at home but will also have a kick on the dance floor, something that has a sound signature that portrays me.
While working on the album, I realized more about myself; what I love, in what way I want to create my music, how I want the music to sound, and what vibe will it give to whoever listens to it.
For a period of time, it’s only me and the track, maybe one or two more people will have heard it. Then in one moment, the track belongs to everybody, it meets the world and interacts with people’s minds.
For example, working on Digital Pussy I’ve discovered something really interesting that was a meaningful step for me in designing the sound of the album – as I started working on the track I thought to myself that if I intend to make an original piece, I want every sound of it to be completely mine, that every sound that appears would be ‘custom made’ for the track. When the track started to take shape, I suddenly heard something there that I’ve never heard before in my music, it was something else, something magical, I fell in love with it.
At this point it was clear – the best way for me to create something that is original is to create every sound from scratch. No samples, no copy-paste, no ‘stealing’ of any kind. That became the creative process for the rest of the tracks. Every sound in this album was created for the moment it appears in. Every kick, every drum, every lead and every little effect you’ll hear in the album, is a one time result of me playing with my machines, creating and recording sounds for the first and last time.
Q : How does it feel to take the music from the studio and play it in a party? What’s a stronger motivator for you – writing music in the studio or playing in parties?
A : My balls are shaking each time I’m about to play a new tune for the first time. I’m always curious to see how the audience will react to it, what expression will appear on people’s faces.
I really enjoy the creation process in the studio. I like surprising myself and experimenting. I’m fascinated by the process of creating a track from scratch. For a period of time, it’s only me and the track, maybe one or two more people will have heard it. Then in one moment, the track belongs to everybody, it meets the world and interacts with people’s minds. It’s a unique moment, it’s the moment I receive back all the energy that has been invested at the studio, for good or for bad 🙂
I suppose my motivation is based on the combination of both studio time and party time.
Q : What’s your ultimate Psytrance album ?
A : I get brain damage from this question. It feels impossible to give a straight answer. But if I must, here are my top 6:
X-Dream – Radio
Organic Noise – Vacuum Tube
Midimiliz – Passages
Hallucinogen – The Lone Deranger
Prometheus - Corridor Of Mirrors
Loud – No More X
Q : Summer plans for Gorovich?
A : This summer I’ll be touring in Brazil and in Israel, as well as playing in Sweden for the first time. I will continue to make new music and there are some really cool collaborations coming up with artists that I adore in my new studio in Berlin.
My biggest plan for the moment is that the album will reach many listeners who will enjoy the music.
Check our interview with Protonica: https://trancentral.tv/2019/06/protonica-symmetry-interview/