Australian trio Infusion have been plumbing the depths of historical musics and plundering the annals of electronic music royalty to make truly futuristic transcendental dance for nigh on a decade now. Manny Sharrad, Frank Xavier and Jamie Stevens have expanded minds, built bridges and been adorned with affection from Wollongong to Williamsburg and back with their uniquely placeless, always evolutionary approach to dance music.

After their last album, Infusion spent the better part of 3 years taking that record to the people, touring extensively not only around Australia but also traipsing through Europe, North and South America, and Asia. They also lent their definitive touch to remixes of artists including The Cure.

They have recently released a set of remixes of ‘‘Dogtown”, D-nox & Beckers remix have already topped up our charts and their new release Try it On will be out soon.. The new sound is rather different than what you might expect from the trio but the quality of their sound just keeps getting better and better… here we have recently caught up with Frank Xavier from Infusion …

Who or what has been the biggest influence?

Jesus, yo, he gave me this awesome talent, and a killer body!

What have been up to lately and what can we expect from you over the next couple of months?

We’ve been doing the festival circuit in Australia following the release of “All Night Sun Light” here and have been doing various remix work for ourselves and other artists. We’re also gearing up for the long awaited tour of the US!

What do you see as your main strengths as a producer?

Our main strengths lie in sound designing, synthesis, engineering and recording; and being able to be both experimental, as well recreating sounds we like, we listen to a lot of music in different styles, and we are very opened minded, we are also pretty good with a mouse and that’s half the work done already.

What can people expect from your live show?

Lots of energy, pyrotechnics, knob twiddling, lots of jumping and other killer moves, a stage covered in big women’s underwear and maybe a violin

What’s the key to getting noticed?

Media, Media, Media and tight clothing. Touring Loads, doing Interviews, being drunk and disorderly, throwing up in public, and also having a hot model girlfriend.

What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played to?

Argentina, Creamfields after prodigy, maybe 50 000 or so, it was pretty dark, maybe I was cross eyed

Do you have a favourite place or somewhere where you get the best reaction?

Japan, they just love music, and no how to party and have a good time

Is there an all-time favourite track you wish you’d produced?

The Theme song to Seinfeld, I always wanted to use that vocal popcorn sound on the Korg M1, but could never get it to work right, I’ll try again tonight, i’ll keep you posted

Do you sample, use old records, listen to them, or how does your producing process go?

We do use samples from old records occasionally when we come across them, usually from old disco records through to psychedelic rock, They’re good for getting a general starting point /idea to get us started. We use a lot of drum breaks, and re-trigger samples, but as technology gets better, you become slightly Lazy, and bring up a soft synth and come up with a melody that way, but can be hard if you don’t have a vocal line to work with

What is the most interesting comment you have heard about your music?

I Like it, but I wouldn’t buy it

What’s the single most exciting thing about dance music at the moment in your opinion?

Dance music has come around in a full circle again, people are enjoying all the different styles again and not being really bothered with pigeon holing themselves into one style of music, its hard to really define what is good and what is bad, or what is cool or not, its either “I like this” or “I don’t like this” so live with it

What inspires you?

Deadlines…and also I like to go out and hear live music as much as I can, especially from bands that are quite forward thinking, I’ve been hearing a lot of good music from really young producers, and that is also motivational.

If you could have anyone remix any of your tracks, who would it be and why?

Jive bunny, he can condense all our Album tracks into a single 4 minute track, so you wouldn’t have to buy our Album as well

What is the magic hangover cure?

Accept it and drink more beer. I also have heard that a stem cell milkshake fixes everything

Was there a moment when you knew you wanted to make music your life?

When I was sick of being able to eat well, clothe myself, pay bills, and pay rent, but the idea of traveling overseas was alluring, and being able to be creative as well as doing something you enjoy.

What would you say is the most difficult aspect of music production?

Being able to create something that you and perhaps others might enjoy, and also creating something unique, fresh, fun and interesting. You also have to be on the ball, as music is constantly evolving,

If you had to do something different what do you think you would end up doing?

I’d be on the couch watching idol or some other reality TV show, with some other guys 3 kids from the wife’s last marriage, whilst waiting for Tacos and beer to arrive.

If there is one rule in life to live by, what is it?

There can be only one

What destroys music?

Laziness, routine, formulas and genres, and people who are afraid to be creative, and who don’t listen to something unless their favourite dj plays it.

What keeps it alive?

Producers with an open mind, who are willing to take risks and People who also go out to gigs and listen to live music and djs.

What’s the perfect holiday for you?

Anywhere which involves, the beach, water, cocktails, seafood, slow dancing and satin sheets

How would you want to die?

From shock, whilst having sex for the first time

Do you believe a good life is attainable? Or is it something that is out of our control i.e. subject to luck etc.

Its definitely attainable, but it all depends on sacrifice and the right choices, you definitely put yourself in situations where luck can work for you or not, unless your about to inherit a large sum of money, then enjoy!

Who was your hero as a child?

Michael Jordan, black jesus, he was and still is the best basketball player ever

What’s been your most extravagant purchase?

Probably a synth, sampler, computer or something boring like that, I did pay $20 for a battered fish the other day that’s pretty extravagant, but it did come with chips.

What are you most proud of in your life?

I still have my Virginity

If you could pick anyone dead or alive to have lunch with, who would it be?

Trey Parker and Matt stone, I think I would just get along with them, and they would probably pay for lunch..sweet…

Your favourite movie of all time?

The Warriors (1979)..can you dig it

Favourite Rapper?

Fred Durst

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Tokyo, Japan, Visually amazing, so old in Tradition but so advanced as well, its so safe to live in, and its is very open minded musically and culturally, oh and I love the food

What is your favourite word?

douche

If you were trying to seduce someone, what three songs would you put on a tape?

Usually our demo cd gets the juices flowing, but failing that

Asia – “heat of the moment” (for a quickie),

Spinal Tap – “sex farm” (for role playing),

Berlin – “Take my breath away” (if I’m making L.O.V.E)

If you were an animal in the wild, what would you be?

A panther, Super stealth, stream lined and very charming