DJ/Producer Etzalien started his career in 1995 playing in Israel and has since been organising trance parties around Melbourne.  He has just released a CD and it has been picked up by local music stores around Melbourne.  It is a double CD called ‘Thin Blue Line of Sanity”.  Katarooba caught up with the psy trance artist to get the goss on what’s happening.

When did you realise that you wanted to become a DJ?

I was working as a bar tender and I saw the DJ having all the fun and getting payed so I started spinning first hip hop but only after a trip to Israel where I discovered goa psychedelic trance at a party in Jerusalem.  The next day I bought my first trance CD ‘Melodia” Trance Mix 7.  The rest is history.

What has it been like playing in Melbourne’s underground trance scene where everyone knows everyone?

When I have played it has been good, parties like Arcadia and Higher Learning have been fun.

Has it been hard to break into the market?

Yes, however I feel for some people it’s like that add on TV ”they said you’d never make it, but I am”.  Most of the clubs and parties I’ve played here in Melbourne I have had some part in the organisation of it.  So it’s hard work to get a name out and gain a following.

Do you do all your own promotion?

Yes I do all my promotion of my own music I have created a record label called Etzalien Productions.  The first release was “Constant Kodak Moment”; completed in 2003.  Thin Blue Line of Sanity completed this year.
I have used the radio for most other promotion.

What’s the psy trance scene in Australia like?

Really good, there are a lot of top artists playing this summer, like Space Tribe and Dj’s like Arron Smiles are also giving it their all.  Plus I am finally playing this summer too.

Where do you find the time to be creatively different?

You have to make time so I don’t sleep when my kids go to sleep I start to write and it’s the sleep deprivation that gives me that creative difference.

How much do you like being a DJ?

I love it.  I always wanted to do something that was fun were you get to met lots of people and that’s a DJ’s job.  There are still the bad sides to this industry, but the highs are what make it all worthwhile.  It’s the punters and playing overseas in Israel that gives me the biggest smile.  So I would say that yes I do not just like Djing but I love it.

Your music is described as dark thumping trance, melodic and spiritual.  Can you describe the sound of your new album?

‘Thin Blue Line of Sanity” is more produced, mixed and worked on. The sound has a full bass style and harder edge than that of the first album.  I have also played around with a lot of non-traditional trance sounds and have found my samples in the most bizarre places.  “Thin Blue Line of Sanity” is my commentary of what’s happening in the world today. 

What kind of set are you going to play at Exodus 2005?

Deep, dark & groovy. Cyber, funky& psychedelic, thumping trance with a few surprises up my sleeve.

Etzalien (Dj Etzel) is playing live at Exodus 2005.