Get to know: Moscoman is the Israeli producer making transfixing electronica
The Berlin-based artist has a mammoth summer lined up
Moscoman is quick to refute the idea that Israel is all about psy-trance. “Not Tel Aviv,” he states emphatically. “I used to DJ four times a week in Tel Aviv, including the main dance venue, The Block, and it’s all about techno, German techno and our style.”
By “our style”, he means the tuneful, pulsing electronica he and his label Disco Halal have been firing out over the last two years, including one of 2016’s most acclaimed albums, ‘Can You Pass the Knife?’ by his friend Nadav Spiegel (aka Autarkic), and his own new album ‘A Shot in the Light’. His sound is contemporary yet owes a debt to the melodic poppiness of retro synth-pop and cold-wave. The latter aspect may be why Disco Halal is reissuing an obscure 80s electro-pop album by Swedish singer-model Virna Lindt.
Born Chen Moscovici (pronounced ‘Hen Moscovitsch’), he spent most of his life in Tel Aviv and released on labels such as Eskimo, ESP Institute and Correspondant, but when he moved to Berlin a couple of years ago things really came into their own. “It was a great place to step back and overlook my whole life,” he explains. “I didn’t have time before to sit down and think where I was going. Now I see the wider picture.”
Disco Halal blossomed, with releases from artists such as Mehmet Aslan and Acid Arab, and newer cuts from Chaim and Simple Symmetry. The label retains a strong flavour of Moscoman’s origins, as can be heard on his ‘Subaru Pesha’ EP with Red Axes and Krikor, flooded with Middle Eastern flavour.
“It’s no secret that I come from a difficult part of the world,” says Chem. “But it’s vital to support the good stuff. In everything I do it’s part of who I am; anywhere I live, I’m still a full-on Israeli.”
This year sees his most ambitious ventures yet, a series of 12 releases, one per month, on his new Treisar label. The word ‘treisar’ means ‘12’ in Hebrew and the project is inspired by the 12 tribes of Israel. He’s also taking his album on the road with a band who debuted impressively at ADE last year.
“I’m playing live electronics with a drummer and a bass player,” he explains, “but it’s more of a live party than a concert situation. We’re playing huge festivals this summer…”
Just don’t go expecting any psy-trance, OK?
Moscoman plays The Pickle Factory, London on January 28
