Mihalis Safras

Mihalis Safras

Mihalis Safras is a Greek DJ and producer from Athens, known for work in techno, minimal, tech house and electronic music. He starts experimenting with music at the age of 12, studying piano before moving into electronic production and music technology.

Career

His DJ career begins in 1997, when he takes a residency at Berlin Club in Greece. At that point he mainly mixes house music, but by the end of the 1990s he moves towards techno and tech house. In 2000 he begins exploring the harder side of club music and introduces Greek club audiences to Detroit-influenced techno rhythms.

His first major appearance is at SolaLuna Festival, where he appears alongside leading names in techno. He then secures residencies at several major Greek clubs, including Venue, Mad, Danza, Miroir and Luv, and later headlines at Umatic, also known as Plusmatic, where he builds a large local following.

Production and labels

Safras releases music on labels including Trapez, Great Stuff, Harthouse and Zenit. His production style is described in terms of techno with hard and funky edges and a groovy minimal feel. His tracks gain support from DJs such as Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, Adam Beyer and Ricardo Villalobos.

In 2006 he founds his own label, Material Series, which issues groovy club-focused releases on coloured 12-inch vinyl. The label also features other artists. In mid-2007 he launches Playmobil Series as a sister label with a focus on more melodic techno.

Recognition and collaborations

Safras receives a nomination as best Greek techno DJ in 2005 from Klik Magazine. He is also associated with Traum Schallplatten as a key roster artist. The profile describes him as working as a mastering engineer as well.

He has remixes planned for artists including Britney Spears and Dubfire, and is linked with UK producer Mark Broom, whose friendship helps lead to the creation of Material Series.