Greek House and Techno stalwart Mihalis Safras needs little introduction. The man’s a master of groove with a never-ending back catalogue of bang tidy cuts. This week, Safras took five from his hectic production schedule to handle some quick-fire Qs from the When We Dip team. We talked touring, favourite foods, production, vinyl and all that’s to come on his own imprint Material. It’s all below!
WWD: Your production rate is truly impressive. Can you give us an insight into how you structure your schedule in the studio?
Well the fact is that I am in studio all day and all night long, since I also master releases for many labels and produce my own tracks. It takes all of my time but I feel blessed and happy to do what I like.
WWD: Your latest release comes via Yousef’s Circus imprint. Where did you put the tracks together?
Happy that Yousef loved the tunes and decided to finalize an EP with me, hopefully I will have him on my label Material as well to make it a full 360 collaboration, haha.
WWD: Where do you like to spend time when your taking a break away from music?
I prefer reading the Bible, I feel it helps my spirituality.
WWD: 3 things you enjoy about touring?
Food, food, food (yes I love food)
WWD: In recent memory, what’s the most adventurous meal you’ve had on your travels?
Last week in Zurich, had to order burgers inside the club, haha.
WWD: Where were you when Traxsource announced you as the No.1 Tech House artist for 2015? What was your reaction to the news?
Cant recall it exactly but I was notified by the Traxsource team who are all really greats people that love underground music.
WWD: We know you’re a big vinyl fan. Do you get to play vinyl sets as often as you’d like?
I am blessed that my technical rider for the last 10 years requests that I play vinyl.
WWD: What was the last vinyl record you bought?
Bronski Beat – Small town boy
WWD: Can you give us three artists we should be following in 2016?
Russ Yallop, Paul C & Paolo Martini, Gene Farris
WWD: What else is going down on the Material front over the coming months?
Glad to say our Material family grows with more friends and artists. We will have a new solo release by Volkoder, Noir, Gene Farris, Darius Syrossian and Harry Romero. Can not wait to have all of them out for the true fans of the underground.
WWD: Looking to 2016, where does your focus lie and what do you hope to achieve?
In 2016 decided in both my own music and in my labels to go 1 step deeper in the underground sound. Trying to achieve a marriage of the quality of the music we release while being a bit more ‘catchy’.
In personal life I want to focus on losing some weight (yes I said it before.. I love food!)
Follow: @mihalissafras // @circusrecordings