Out of the Box with Mihalis Safras

Exclusive Interview With Mihalis Safras 

Greek DJ/producer Mihalis Safras has a long history in the electronic music scene, becoming an impact on the techouse scene.

Over the course of the last decade he has tirelessly established himself as one of the most hard working artists, appearing on at least a dozen 12‐inches last year alone on celebrated labels lik: Get Physical, Toolroom, Great Stuff, Skint and more.

Recently Mihalis entered the All-time Top 50 onmost Charted aArtists on RA.

Resident Advisor Most Charted Artists

The calibre of Mihalis's studio output uniquely fall's in‐between these two and since his early studio outputs, his elongated, aching yet versatile and percussive tech-house tracks have made their way onto the most hyped labels on the techouse. While having collaborated with a variety of well known artists like: Dubfire, Mark Broom, Gregor Tresher, Mihalis has exercised room‐filling soundscapes determined and driving techno combined with the most moving of musical melodies.

Worth mentioning that many of his productions have been used for the official worlds famous complications of Loveparade, Pacha, DJM, Space Ibiza.

As mastermind being the Material Series and Saf Series releases, his unrestricted and creative productions has appeared alongside an impressive list of artists including Sven Vath, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin and many more not to mention producing the massive release 'La Samba' that has burned Ibiza floors and has since been licensed for an Apple iPhone campaign.Both in the studio and in the DJ booth Mihalis demonstrates the natural absorbed characteristics of one of the leading underground techno talents.

Furthmore as from 2011, Mihalis started writting reviews and articles for various music Magazines worldwide like Music & Life, Freeze.

Mihalis is a natural and perfected DJ capable of playing with the whole spectrum of style, and sets featuring a magical liquid that enhances the power and impact of music as seen through his mixed CD Sessions onToolroom and Material. Nowhere else is this attitude more evident than the expansion of its network that are now streaming across the globe

Hi Mihalis, it’s such a pleasure to be interviewing you thank you for taking time out to do this for us!

1.     First we have to say we are in love with your album! How are you doing and what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear South Africa?

Im pretty well and getting ready for a mini US Tour.. Thanks for the nice words!

When I hear of South Africa the first thing that comes to my mind is off course papa-Nelson and the latest world cup J Don’t judge me thoughJ

2.     We know who Mihalis Safras is, but for all our reader out there still wondering can you tell us a little more about yourself and how you got in to music?

Quick snapshot… Resident in the biggest clubs in Greece from 2001-2005, the focused to production and so far have released in some of the worlds most celebrated labels like Toolroom, Skint,  Get Physical, Great Stuff and more… I think my productions are speaking better than my wordsJ

Got into music in the age of 13 when I bought my first vinyl and I still a proud viny jockey.

3.     You recently just released your album, Out of The Box what has the reactions to the album been?

Out of the Box album was released on Toolroom Records, August 2013, so for me is my latest release. We have been promoting the album and the reaction in both clubs and press was great. The remix pack has a versatility in the sound so this is something that in my opinion makes the album quite catchy. Pretty happy that both packs are outJ

4.     What was the inspiration behind Out of the Box, and what message were you trying to portray through the album?

When I produce in general my only concern is to try make some proper sounding beats that can work inside the club. Off course Out of the Box has 2 tunes that are sort of electronica. So this work was my

expression of the whole steps I had throughout my career.

5.     As humans we never really are satisfied with anything, when did you know you were satisfied with the final product of your Out of The Box album and remix album?

That is so true and since that is the truth then you shall know that even when the product is out , I still say ‘Hey I could use that sample differently’. So

6.     If you had to describe Out of The Box with a colour what would the colour be and why?

Quite simple. Red and that is because I feel communist ;)

7.     The Remix Album of Out of The box was also just released, now it would be wrong of us to ask which is your favorite remix of the album, but we cant help it, which remix really tugs at your heartstrings?

Well there like 13 remixers… so if I say one the I ll get 12 punchesJ Honestly I like all of the and that is why they appear on the packJ

     8.     We all know the music industry is extremely competitive how do ensure you stay at the top of your game always?

This is something that can not be ensured really. The only way that anyone can follow is to have passion on the way he works. Sooner or later hard work will pay off. But in my case I am lucky to be working with Toolroom and EXS management since both are really up to what they do and love music so much.

9.     We all want success in your opinion what is the magic formula to success?

As said above success can only be achieved if you have passion and you work hard. Sometimes luck plays its games but after all is your work that counts and makes the difference.

10.  Last question if we had to raid your house what would we find on your nightstand?

For some reason I always have  Bible on my nightstand. Sometimes I read sometimes not , but it is always there! By the way if you raid it , I had lost my wifes ring so if you find it let me knowJ

11. Messages for fans

Buy your music in a legal way boys! Support those you produce music!

Thank you for doing this interview for us and we hope to catch you spinning somewhere soon.