The Face Behind: Interview with Asgard

Roi Hausman — better known as Asgard — might be young, but he’s already one of the most admired rising producers in the Psytrance world. His tracks are recognized and supported by major names like Astrix, Ace Ventura, Ritmo, Liquid Soul, and many others, who regularly play Asgard material in their biggest festival sets.

At just 31, Roi has already carved a sound that is unmistakably his own — a futuristic, high-tempo progressive signature that you can identify from the very first notes before the drop. Personally, I haven’t heard even a single Asgard track that didn’t make the crowd jump, scream, and lose themselves in the moment. There’s a raw electricity in his sound that feels like ignition.

It was just a few days after our interview when the Ozora 2026 lineup was announced — and seeing Asgard’s name on it felt like yet another powerful milestone for this exceptionally talented artist.

Though Asgard’s international journey is only beginning, and while he’s still playing mostly in Israel, I’ve heard his tracks echoing through the dancefloors of Ozora, Boom, and other major festivals. It wouldn’t surprise me if Asgard – Mundo was one of the most-played tracks of this past summer — it felt like it followed me everywhere.

In this exclusive interview, Roi and I talked about his roots, his discipline, the years spent learning before daring to release anything, and the inner evolution that shaped his sound. For me, having followed the project from the very first momentum — the Ritmo remix competition (we’ll get to that) — it felt natural, almost inevitable, to finally sit down with him.

When we first connected for this interview, Roi humbly said, “You interviewed so many great artists, why me?”

And the answer came easily: Because to me, he is the future of Progressive Psytrance, and his talent deserves the spotlight.

So yes, I’m proud to share this story with you — and it truly feels like we are witnessing the first chapter of something much bigger.

Four worlds. Third eye. Two moons. One mind.

Here is The Face Behind the Artist — Asgard.

Asgard

Interview with Roi Housman, Asgard

Where did you grow up, Roi?

I was born and raised in Jerusalem, and today I live in Rehovot — closer to my wife’s studies.

What kind of guy were you in the hood?

I was rebellious, a joker, not very connected to school. Most of my energy wasn’t in academics — I was curious about other things.

What did you use to listen to?

I loved electronic music early on, even though I didn’t really understand what it was back then. I listened to Infected Mushroom, Skazi, Astrix — without fully realizing it was trance; it was just the mainstream electronic that reached us at the time.

I also listened to a lot of rock — Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Scorpions, Kaveret. My father was a drummer, and he basically controlled what we listened to at home.

What first led you into the world of electronic music and trance in particular?

Around 2012, I started seeing videos of the big EDM festivals — Tomorrowland and such. Something in the energy coming through the screen grabbed me deeply.

Around 2013–2014, I actually went to Tomorrowland — and I was completely blown away by the electronic scene. A week later, I went to a small underground nature trance party, and that experience opened something else inside me.

When you heard it, back then, did you know that it would become such a big part of your life?

Not really. I didn’t overthink it. I just followed the instinct.

I kept going to more and more parties and I felt that I wanted more from this — I wanted it as a way of life and I wondered how.

I was curious to understand what it’s like to be the captain steering the ship, to make people feel what I felt from the other side of the deck.

So I decided to learn music, and I fell in love with the role of the music producer. That was at the age of 21.

I asked myself: How do I learn? What gear should I buy?

I used my post-service grants to buy equipment, but it wasn't enough.

I needed additional instruments so my father lent me the money with one condition: “If you’re not serious, you return the gear and the money. Don’t waste your time.”

Luckily, I stayed in my room for hours - and the only thing he would say was: “Just turn it down a bit.”

And how did you start to learn music?

I took a Cubase course and continued with an advanced production and synthesis course - but it still didn’t feel complete.

Then I enrolled at Sela College, where I spent two more years studying music theory, mixing & sound, and keyboard training.

I learned the fundamentals with discipline, and a lot of my maturity as a producer comes from that period where I learned the values of patience and methodology.

My advice to anyone wanting to create music: be consistent.

Which artists shaped your musical consciousness the most?

Obviously, Dubi (Ritmo), Yoni (Ace Ventura), Avi (AstrIx). Loud, too, and Shpongle, Infected Mushroom.

I must say, personally, that when hits by Infected or Loud went mainstream, it was a bit frustrating to me as I felt people loved it without really understanding what it's like to hear it on a trance dancefloor. I mean, Loud - Small Talk, at a wedding... Come on

While it can be frustrating, it’s also a blessing. It means Psytrance can reach the masses.

That's a nice angle to look at it.

I discovered Asgard by the remix competition for the immortal track: Ritmo - Follow Me, my favorite track at the time.

How was it to remix it... Can you share the story behind it?

Did you think you'd win it?

After finishing all the music studies, I still felt young and unknown. I had some tracks, but I didn’t want to present them to the world until they were the best I could give (at least to me).

I pursued excellence. The more I learned, the more I recognized mediocre productions. So I told myself: If I release something, it must be tight, complete, and meaningful.

I even considered a Bachelor’s degree in music. I took more piano lessons.

Then I saw Ritmo’s remix competition on Facebook. I told a friend, “Maybe I’ll try remixing Ritmo?” He looked at me and said, “Come on. You know that if you enter, you win.” I thought he was joking. Then I asked my lecturer what he thought. He said:

“There is no end to learning. Stop chasing the hypothetical ‘complete education.’ You already know enough — go make music.” That convinced me. I entered. I won. I genuinely didn’t expect it. That was the stamp of: go — it’s time.

From that moment, Dubi and I started communicating. He told me he would release it as an EP on Iboga. Then I realized I had to come out with branding, a name, a logo — because now I had a track coming out.

Wow, that's inspiring!

For those who don't know, at the time, Iboga Records was THE Progressive Psytrance label, a house of releases by Ace Ventura, Captain Hook, Astrix, Liquid Soul, Ritmo and many more.

So, how do you find your branding?

I consulted with my family, who were always very supportive. They loved to hear the music and share their feelings and experiences from listening to it.

They helped me brainstorm my stage name and branding.

So, why “Asgard”?

I’m a huge fan of cinema, sci-fi, and fantasy. To me, trance is a journey - a vessel to another realm. From cinema, I got into Nordic culture (At that point, I hadn’t even seen Vikings yet). I believe in purity, beauty, fantasy, other cultures — and Asgard symbolizes this.

Asgard Logo

Super cool. So you have a brand, what happens then?

After the remix, I needed to capitalize — create more music. I had already learned enough in school — it was time to produce.

I released Created, and Dubi pushed it to Emok and Banel, the owners of Iboga Records, and they wanted it for a compilation set.

Suddenly, I was getting attention from Yoni, Ace Ventura, he sent me something like "Great music — stay in touch”.

Wowww

Wow indeed... Then, Emok wanted more, so I released the EP Light in the Depth.

Then they wanted another. Following that, I noticed other artists started playing the tracks. When the "Be Right" remix (to Ritmo and Liquid Soul) released, it really pushed me forward. From there, more music came out on Shamanic and Mutant Disco (the new labels emerged by Astrix and Ace Ventura).

Nice. In Ad tech, we call it organic growth...

Ritmo & Liquid Soul - Be Right (Asgard Remix)

Nevertheless, seems like your reputation as a producer is getting bigger, what about being a DJ, live performing... That's a different skill.

How did you evolve to be a DJ?

That's true.

At first, I only played at a few parties run by friends, maybe five events after the Be Right release in 2022. Then I was invited to perform in Brazil.

I had zero DJ skills. I didn’t even know the Pioneer CDJ setup. I didn’t want to play from a computer, so I borrowed equipment and practiced at home.

Brazil was the first time I walked into a booth with just my USB, no sync.

Just raw execution.

During your academy time and the early days of your performances, did you work in other jobs, or did you just do that?

Yes — I worked at my father’s publishing house, managing sales in Israel, still living at home.

Today, aside from performing, I do mixing and mastering for other artists. Performances are the embodiment of my dream, yet mixing and mastering are my day-to-day craft.

When you produce music, are you thinking of yourself, the crowd, or both?

It depends on the stage of the process. A track is a journey. At first, I just flow, making what I personally enjoy. If something doesn’t fit the track, I still love the idea. Then I ask myself: Will this work on the dancefloor?

And then: What does this say about me?

It’s fun and challenging.

First and foremost, I have to love it. If it lifts me emotionally, I know it’s right.

If I keep replaying something, it means it’s not there yet.

Sometimes I just burst into laughter from joy — and I know that part… is the one. It comes through in the combos — like scoring little victories before the goal (like in Fruit Ninja).

The Combo before the drop - like the one in Fruit Ninja

Do you feel that your personal life experiences directly influence the sounds and emotions you create as Asgard?

I haven't thought about it... But I can tell that the October 7th war made it extremely difficult to make music. I would sit in the studio and feel like it was meaningless, like this wasn’t the time for it. It pulled me out of the music loop for almost an entire year.

Mundo, for example, was written after the war, and it carries darker shades. I can’t say for sure if it’s directly connected, but that’s how it came out.

You have a few collabs. What do you gain from working with others?

I love collaborations because I learn so much from them. Different approaches, different angles, they take me places I wouldn’t reach alone.

Some artists prefer to guard their sound tightly, but I think they’re losing out. In remixes, especially, I love involving the original creator, getting feedback directly from them.

How does it feel to share the stage with another artist, like Animato or Antinomy?

When the vibes are right and the music aligns, it’s a lot of fun.

We don’t plan in advance. I bring my music, they bring theirs — and we intuitively understand where it’s heading, without needing to talk about it. We just flow.

With such a great momentum, preparing for the first Ozora show in 2026 and being unexpectedly supported by the techno queen Charlotte De Witt playing your Zentura - Sonic Masala Asgard Remix, what are your goals for the next few years?

I hope the major breakthrough will happen soon, maybe in the next two or three years. I’m planning to release my first album toward the end of next year.

Beyond that, I’m here to stay. I’m building a career, giving my all, evolving as a producer, aiming higher. One day, I want to leave a mark on this genre.

And maybe one day… compose music for films.

The breakthrough is already unfolding, Roi — it feels inevitable at this point. And I believe you know what’s waiting for you out there. How do you prepare for that moment?

I’m treating this with the utmost seriousness. I believe in perfection and in the importance of completeness. You won’t find people casually hanging around my studio — it’s a sacred space of craft and discipline. I’m committed to constantly learning, evolving, and investing everything I have into the music, so I can keep doing what I truly believe in.

I'm wondering if your wife, Yarden, understands what she is getting into...

She’s not from the scene — she doesn’t really go to nature parties (though she sometimes joins me). But she’s fully behind what I do, because she sees it’s my passion. Besides, during the week, I’m home a lot — so we do have plenty of time together.

Nice!

You don’t seem focused on self-promotion or social media. How do you approach marketing?

I prefer to put my energy into the music, the core product. Marketing is important, but right now, my priority is creation. Eventually, I think I’ll need someone to help me handle that aspect.

Is there a message you are trying to deliver to the audience?

My agenda is simple: to move people emotionally.

To evoke a real feeling.

For instance, in "Light in the Depths", I intentionally sampled underwater textures and submerged sonic elements, aiming for it to feel like sinking into emotion.

What do you think about the Israeli trance scene today?

It’s amazing — flourishing. So many styles, so many artists, so many events of every kind. The crowd is diverse, with different ages, different backgrounds, and everyone is enjoying the dancefloor.

Sure, there are challenges: police, commercialization, regulations, but I choose to focus on the beautiful part: the people who come to truly enjoy.

OK Roi... that was marvelous, such an honor to speak with you this far.

After diving deep into the heart of Asgard, let’s recap with a playful association game.

I ask, you fire an answer.

Ready to go?

Being it on!

What track can you use that will always do the job?

Asgard - Shadow of Light

What's your favorite track?

Shamanic Tales - Astrix

A DJ you would like to play with?

Ace Ventura

Your peak DJ moment:

I still have a long way to go... For now, every set feels like a new peak, and I still don’t feel like I’ve reached the ultimate one.

Most embarrassing DJ moment:

My first set in Brazil, first time playing from USB without sync. During the first mix, I accidentally hit cue instead of play and sent the first track right to its starting point while mixing in the next track right from its beginning...

Luckily, no one noticed — but I learned my lesson and was so happy about it!

Asgard After Movie from Psyfly Brazil

If you were a famous star, who would you be?

Hopefully, Christiano Ronaldo.

I admire his dedication and professionalism.

Message to the audience:

Enjoy.

Live.

Smile.

My dear Roi... Thank you so much for the honest, open, inspiring conversation. It’s been a real pleasure diving into your story, and now, when I understand how dedicated you are and what a Christiano Mentality you have, I can't wait to see your future getting to life.

Respect man

#ThefaceBehind #Trance #Trancefestivals