Ace Ventura opens a new label – Interview

So, a new label. Tell us a bit about it. The name, the vision, the plans, why now?

The label is an idea which has been on my mind for years. I have been a music collector since a very early age, collecting music on vinyl and tape cassettes, then on CDs, DATs (Digital audio tapes) and so on – and I’ve been a DJ since the age of thirteen, starting with kids birthday parties, moving to clubs and morphing into the psytrance scene from there. So curating my own label was only a matter of time, and now here we are, 20 years after the first Ace Ventura release on Iboga.

Could not have found a more fitting time for this new adventure.
The vision is first to have a new home for my music and most of my projects, but also music that I like, and tracks I like to play in my sets.
The focus will be on Psytrance obviously, without being limited by sub genres, though it’s safe to say the main throughline will be progressive and full on psytrance, But it will not end there, as my musical taste varies beyond psy, so you can expect other forms of electronic music, from Downtempo, to Synthwave, drum and bass and who knows what else…

As for the name, Psytrance is basically mutated disco music if you think about it….

The first release was a single with Protonica named Nova, we presume that there is a reason you chose this name and for the particular message in the track.

The Nova organization, from the people who run it to the people on the dancefloor, are all dear to my heart. I have played for them a few times before October 7th, and became a friend of many of them. On October 6th I played in the very same location of the location where the massacre took place, at the UNITY party. I met several friends who were killed 24 hours later. After playing I flew to Brazil, and upon landing I opened my phone and could not believe what I saw… It is still hard to believe even now.

Piet / Protonica had an even more direct link – He was on the lineup of the Nova party. Luckily he had a late noon slot so he didn’t leave tel aviv before hearing of what was going on. When we were working on our collaboration, this name was the first idea that came to mind. We asked for the blessing of Omri Sasi, one of the Nova founders and he liked the idea. The message of the track is very simple and basic – PEACE & LOVE – but it is more relevant now than ever.

As if opening 2025 with a new label is not enough, you follow with a new project as well – Acid Punks! A first 2 track EP just released on your own label. Can you tell us about the project?

The idea for this project came a few years ago. My project with Astrix, Alpha portal, was put on hold as Avi began work on his next solo album, and I had the itch for faster and more banging trance. I had already made two tracks with Outsiders by then, and loved the process as well as these two lovely humans – and their music – So we just went for it. The sound is a fusion of both worlds, with tracks so far in the 142 to 146 bpm range. Some are more funky and progressive, but most are full power stormers.

Acid Punks at Ozora Festival 2024, photo by Pawel Wieloch

We have been working on it for a while now and already have 10 tracks, including tracks with Tristan, Fungus funk, Burn in noise, and remixes to Etnica and Man with no name. The path to the album is set…. We aim to have it out by the end of this year.

What can people expect from this new EP?

The synergy EP is our first calling card as Acid Punks and features two tracks. SYNERGY is a 142 BPM track which starts with a breezy offbeat bass, but changes to swinging groovy bassline and features a funky atmosphere throughout, peppered with some TB303 barks of course… while PATH OF TOTALITY goes up to 144 BPM, and is a stronger full on ride with a few twists and turns and has a more epic feel (and also features some 303 acid love at its peak). The release has some epic animation which you can check on the Mutant Disco YouTube channel.

Get Acid Punks – Synergy EP: https://lnk.to/NxzP0MFs

Aren’t you afraid that running your own label will bite into your creative time?

Fear is the mind killer ! But yeah, Time is the reason this didn’t happen so far, a day has only 24 hours… but after so many years in the scene, I feel I am truly ready for this and I believe label work and studio time will find its balance.

How does your daily weekly schedule usually look? What is an average week in the life of Ace Ventura?

When I’m home I am juggling between family life with my amazing wife, three children including a three years old toddler, three cats, and three turtles, and the studio. Most of my day will be in the studio doing or listening to music, some office work, with a few hours night shift almost every day. All this within the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, where I’ve been living in the past 10 years. The beauty of this place adds a lot of vibe. And then, the weekend arrives, and usually it’s off to the airport…

Photo by Gal Haro

What awaits people who will follow Mutant Disco Records? And any news on the Ace Ventura front?

As for Ace it’s been 10 years since my last full album… I have a lot of tracks in my drawers, collabs and solos as well, which need to be finished, but until I have a solid concept in my hands for a coherent album, I am in no rush!

Otherwise, a lot of interesting music is coming this year, you will have to wait and see… but i will throw some hints, New Zentura music, collaborations with GMS, Asgard, Starlab, Suduaya and more. Stay tuned and thanks for following so far!