fullonline: Hi Shahar, where are you from, where do you live and when you started DJing? Why you choose the name Aleph Zero to your label?

Shahar: I'm from Israel, living in a small quiet town in the north with a lot of green around me. I think in a way, I was always DJing, as people were coming to listen to music at my house since I was at the end of elementary school. I started DJing trance at a friend's wedding about ten years ago, at his request, the crowd loved me (well, they were mostly my friends, so they didn't have a choice), so I then moved to friends' and underground parties, and to bigger events.
As for Aleph Zero, my partner Yaniv (of the Shulman project) chose the name, it is a mathematical term. You can find the definition here. I'll leave you all to think for yourselves why we feel it represents our music.

fullonline: How and when did you discovered psytrance and ambient/chill out music? What were the main factors in your choice to focus on chill and ambient music instead of more energetic, dance floor music?

Shahar: I discovered trance accidentally in 1990 when I was in my army service and some girl from my base offered me to come to a party on top of Masada- I had no clue what it was about- but I always liked to dance and she was cute, so I went. I had a hell of time, especially when the sunrise came up over the Dead Sea. I went to quite a few parties here and there afterwards, but never did more than dance. In '94 I danced a little in the full moon in Koh Pan Gan in Thailand, but only in '94-'95, when I was in Australia, I got really hooked. The thing that really got me was the different world of sounds and the amazing layering, the ability to ride sounds. Been riding them ever since. With trance, came my interest in more downtempo stuff, the album that really got me into it was Surrender to the Vibe from Phantasm in '95, a great mix by Sundog (Jon Ford & Simon Carmen R.I.P), that I used to play on loop when I came back from parties. Around 5 years ago, I decided to concentrate on downtempo music, which is more interesting, and gives me much more creative space as a DJ and compiler, and changed back my involvement with trance music to dancing & listening only. I felt that I will lose the trance experience if it turns into a profession to me, I didn't want that. I like partying too much.

fullonline: Can you keep a comfortable lifestyle working only as a downtempo electronica label manager, or a second job is needed? Are you married and/or have kids?

Shahar: Well, for now, I do have a supporting job, 2 days a week, but hopefully as Aleph Zero develops I can ditch it soon. I will probably have to do extra work in the music business around Aleph Zero to make me able to make a living. I am married, no kids yet, just a cat & a dog.

fullonline: You released only high quality albums through Aleph Zero Records, what are your goals as a label?

Shahar: Thanks. Our goal is to release high quality, innovative, fresh and creative downtempo electronic music. We're strong believers in quality. I rather release 2-3 CDs a year that are excellent than 6 average ones. There is enough mediocre music around without my help. I don't believe there is any justification, artistic and financial, for a label to exist, unless it can wave a flag of quality. We are also strong believers in diversity, as you can hear from our releases. A label that concentrates too much on a "style" chokes and dies in the end. Enough examples of that around. Besides, listening to the same music all the time is boring.

fullonline: In your opinion what Aleph Zero Records releases had more impact on the scene? Which are your favorite albums by your label?

Shahar: It is not really for me to judge our impact. But probably Shulman and Bluetech have shaken things a bit, also our compilation Natural Born Chillers generated some echoes. Favorites... hmmm... that changes all the time- but they're all my sons, I love them all. Truly.

fullonline: Is there any artists signed at Aleph Zero Records? What kind of support your label gives to these artists?

Shahar: We have quite a few artists that are part of the Aleph Zero family: Shulman, Bluetech, Omnimotion, Hibernation, Vataff Project, Ishq, Agalactia, Eitan Reiter, Cosmic Fools and others we work with on a regular basis. We support them in any way we can- paying them well, promoting them, helping with production and post production and booking. Yaniv is an artist himself, and I was always on the side of the artists with everything I was involved with in the music world. We want our artists to be happy. We want them to have a safe environment to make good music.

fullonline: You're the compiler of the new Aleph Zero release, the VA - Midnight Soul Dive. What is the concept behind this release? Which artists are featured?

Shahar: I compiled it together with Yaniv. This is a compilation we are very proud of. It came out very special. It actually happened by chance, we were working on the second part of Natural Born Chillers and realized suddenly that we have two different parts to it, one more mellow and airy and one more "psychill". Yaniv suggested we divide it in two and make two different compilations. I was hesitant, as I do like diversity, but we tried and the music for Midnight Soul Dive just came pouring in and it was completed really fast. It is a CD intended for listening at night time, it is deep and needs the listeners' attention to fully be appreciated. It also needs time to sink in, but we feel the reward is big, and the first feedbacks coming in suggest the same.
It features most of the artists we're working with: Shulman, Bluetech, Ishq, Omnimotion, Hibernation, Vataff Project, and also others, as Rena Jones, Krill.minima, Unoccupied, Cosmic Fools, Anahata and more. You can check a lot of info about the compilation (including samples) and the artists in this great E-flyer.

And Natural Born Chillers 2 is ready as well, for those who want to know- expect it early next year.

fullonline: How is your work as DJ? You use to play music from which artists?
Is there any track you always play in your sets?

Shahar: As a DJ, I try and bring to my sets unlimited diversity and variety, an interesting story, sonic adventures. I always try to play very long sets and I use music from different eras, regions and styles. I combine elements of ethnic music (from Mongolia through India to the Balkans), psychedelic pieces from the colorful past (from Pink Floyd to Ozric Tentacles), diverse electronica, and a lot of spacey dubby beats. No limits really. The biggest fun when moving from 4 on the floor dance music to playing in chillout zones and chill rooms and downtempo events, is that you suddenly have endless freedom. Your only limit is your imagination and musical knowledge. This is great fun. That is why I love to play very long sets (8 hours is my longest so far)- the story I tell my listeners can be so complex, a long long journey. And the best thing is when people come to me and say: 'hey, we just came to chill for a few minutes, and we got stuck here for all your set!'. I also love it when people dance in the chill area- there's so many more possibilities in dancing as well with this music- I often play much more trancey music than in the main stage (though much slower). People just need to open their minds. Not an easy thing to do, of course... But rewarding
I recommend it.

fullonline: In a DJ set what is more important in your opinion: the technique or the music selection? What about interaction with the crowd?

Shahar: They are all important. But technique is technical, it can be learnt more easily. Telling stories with music and interacting with people are much harder and not everyone can do it.

fullonline: What is the best quality a DJ can have? What is your opinion about the large amount of DJs that are continuously after new unreleased music (wasting a lot of time on it) instead of spending more time on learning their music and improving their skills?

Shahar: The best quality a DJ can have is the ability to channel energies from the crowd back to the crowd with music. That's what a good DJ is basically. That means a DJ needs to be a sensitive person to be a good one. As for unreleased music- I don't think any serious DJ really cares about that anymore- people are looking for good music, if it is released or not doesn't really mater.

fullonline: Besides playing as a DJ, have you ever thought about producing your own music?

Shahar: I have, of course. But I have limited time, so I made some choices. For now I concentrate on other things that are more important to me. Maybe in the future, who knows?

fullonline: I heard you're compiling a "digital only release". Can you tell us a more about this project?

Shahar: We're soon releasing our first exclusive digital downloads release- Digital Singles vol. 1. Digital Singles is a series aimed at giving Aleph Zero fans access to fresh tracks coming from our artists' studios in between projects, to more unconventional creations from them, and to material that was originally licensed to other labels or projects. The first volume in the Digital Singles series features our established artists: Shulman, Bluetech, Omnimotion and Anahata, our promising new talents: Vataff Project and Agalactia, and guests visits from Carbon Based Lifeforms and Phutureprimitive. I feel the outcome is a perfect floating chilled journey with ambient, idm and dubby touches., relaxing and at the same time fresh and interesting.
A specially designed cover will be available for download at Aleph Zero's website, we'll announce the release with more details (and our traditional E-flyer) soon.

fullonline: What do you think about people sharing music through mp3 instead of buying it?

Shahar: I only suggest to people one thing- if you like it- buy it!!! If you don't buy it- you won't have more of it. Very simple.

fullonline: Tell us about your homepage http://www.aleph-zero.info. You think it's a good way to connect the fans and artists? What interesting info and stuff can Aleph's fans find inside the site?

Shahar: Well, what I can tell you about our homepage, is that a new one is expected to be there very soon. This one, while it is beautiful, was stopped in the middle of development for technical reasons, and while you'll find there all the info about our releases and our CDs & Posters shop, it is far from complete. The good news is that the new version is almost finished and we hope to have it up there soon.

fullonline: In my opinion Aleph Zero Records is one of the best labels these days, even more impressive is the label's reliability, every release brings something different but still connected to the psychedelic side of music. How do you choose the music you will release? How is it to work with Shulman?

Shahar: Thanks again. It is not an easy task, I tell you. I go through tons of music we receive. I try to give everything a proper listen and feedback everyone. Especially if I hear a chance for an artist developing into something special. I estimate that for every track we release, I hear like 200 tracks we don't. I have very high demands and so I'm a strong filter. On top of that Yaniv is a second filter, even worse then me, maybe... hehe... so it's hard for stuff to get released on Aleph Zero. We also use our experience to offer our artists ways to improve their music. Though we never dictate anything- it's their music in the bottom line- they decide.

fullonline: In which online stores Aleph Zero's albums are available? How do you think the possibility of selling individual tracks through the Net will affect Labels and Artists?

Shahar: Most of them, all around the world. With every release we send our mailing list direct links to online stores where it can be bought, the list gets longer every time.

fullonline: Aleph Zero is a label that has always impressed me by the quality and originality of the Art Design of the releases. Could you explain how the cover selection process happens? What is your favorite?

Shahar: We put A LOT of effort into our releases, also into the way they look. If someone buys a CD from Aleph Zero, we want him to get the best for it- that's why we invest a lot in the graphic design, and every CD comes with a specially designed Aleph Zero sticker and a sticker of the release itself and a specially designed Aleph Zero catalog. Also every release has a specially designed poster, that we enable our fans get for a very cheap price through our website (we just charge to cover our costs).

fullonline: Share your experience and tell us what makes a good party. You think decoration is important is more important than the line up?

Shahar: For me a party should be an experience, a travel into another realm of consciousness. To achieve that I need few things: First, I need nature, preferably a powerful spot, nature is full of them. Second, I need good people- meaning people that came to share an experience with others with an open mind. Third, I need good music- meaning music that tells a story, that takes you to another dimension. For that I need good story tellers- and I need ones that know their place in the story. That's why I prefer less DJs- 2-4 are enough for 12 hours party for me.

fullonline: You have helped in the organization of any parties or festivals? Do you have some advices for the party organizers? What is the biggest mistake an organizer can do?

Shahar: I have, but mostly behind the scenes, helping with the line up, etc. I rather dance and DJ as far as events are concerned, not organized them. The only party I ever organized was my wedding- it was a smasher, but quite enough for me, thank you. I am, however, happy to be involved with chill spaces. Now, for example, I'm in charge of the chill stage of the second T.A.Z (Total Autonomic Zone) festival happening in the end of September in Israel. It's an underground festival with the best vibe, and I'm really excited about the chill space there. It's really the best place to feel the Israeli underground vibe (which is amazing) on a bigger scale. I recommend you check more about it here: http://www.myspace.com/tazfestival2007.

fullonline: You're one of the guys who founded Isratrance.com 10 years ago. Since then the psy scene, the site and the forum have grown and changed a lot. How do you see these changes? In your opinion what changed the most in these 10 years?

Shahar: Well, first thing- it had grown A LOT! With this growth came few changes that were unavoidable. When this thing started it had no name, it had no genre, it had no scene, there were no definitions. It started in many places, by many different people simultaneously, and what was common was electronic music, mostly instrumental, the wish to experiment, dancing in nature, parties integrated with traveling, and psychedelics. The outcome was that in Goa & Koh-Pan-Gan, and also in some places in South & Central America communities were forming. They were made of people that were in their mid-20s, people that have seen some of the world, people who found a change, a different way to live and to communicate with others. And they found it to be so much better, that they couldn't help but spread the message to others. And so, parties were starting to happen everywhere in the world. And remember- no one did these parties to make money- they did them so they can recreate for themselves and their friends the amazing atmosphere they discovered, because when you're in a good party- things are different.
With the growth came change- first of all, the vibe is different. This is understandable, the people are different, there are more people, in different stages in their lives, with different energies. With different vibes you get different parties, and you get different music. Also people have invested their lives into this music, and with that, in our capitalistic world, comes their need to make a living out of it, to support themselves- this sometimes distorts things. Also there are people who realized the appeal this whole culture has, these people saw the opportunity to make money out of it. Of course when these kind of people are part of the driving force, maybe even today the biggest driving force, the outcome is different, it has less appeal, so they try to make a fake one, it holds, but not for long of course, as it's not the real thing. But all this is natural and I accept it. I can still find parties with enough of the original vibe, with the true core, and there you can find all kinds of people, still dancing in nature, together, communicating without violence, without masks- this will go on, I just know enough people, who if they won't find good parties, will make them.

The Isratrance forum, as an important part of the trance world, reflects all that. I am very proud of what we did with Isratrance, and all from love for the music and culture and for no profit whatsoever. I think it is something very special. It has changed and levitated away from my original vision in many ways, but that is life. You gotta let things go their way.

fullonline: What do you think people should do to make a better scene? Any visions about the future?

Shahar: What do people have to do for something to get better? Be better. Very simple, really. As for the future, We have a saying in Hebrew- prophecy is for the fools. The future is a mystery to me and I like it that way, it makes everything much more interesting.

fullonline: What is your favorite psychoactive molecule?

Shahar: Sobriety is my way for quite a while now. I find the universe amazing enough, intriguing enough, beautiful enough and with more than enough wonders and complexities, and I don't feel a need to enhance or alter the way I perceive it.

fullonline: We all know that all kind of weird stuff happen at psychedelic gatherings. Can you tell us something different/funny that you saw or happened to you in a party?

Shahar: Man, I've been partying for almost 18 years, across the world, you can't imagine the weird stuff I've seen... hehe... maybe a Japanese girl riding a five legged holy cow in Goa in a middle of a party? Is that weird enough? Or maybe a heavy-criminal-looking dude, shouting in a party organized by the Green party in Israel (they didn't get into parliament, no surprise), in front of a member of our parliament: "Nobody move! I lost my trip!" and diving in the dust to look for it... hehe... I can go on and on- catch me at some party or festival and I can tell you stories.

fullonline: Any last comment, message and/or promotional link?

Shahar: Thank you! All of you. Link? How about this: www.myspace.com/alephzerorecords

fullonline: Thank you!
Respect!