Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I grew up in a small town in Israel, and I was actually going in a different direction completely by majoring in Math, physics and computer science. Performing was my hobby, but never more than that. I didn’t believe I was good enough to make a career out of it.
When I finished high school, I had to go to the Israeli army (like every other person in the country), and that didn’t go so well for me. I had a lot of health issues, was hospitalized for a long time when I was only 19. This was my lowest point in my life, and I had decided that if I’m ever going to recover I’ll do what I love and I’ll become a professional performer.
Luckily, I did get better and had the chance to move to Canada and I made my promise and became an artist.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: I went to Randolph College for the performing arts about a year after I moved to Canada.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Celine Dion, Queen and Shiri Maimon.
I have been listening to Celine since I was 13,14. Nobody my age used to listen to her but I found her music so inspiring. I remember myself going for long walks in the woods listening to her songs.
Queen came from my dad, he played their CD every time he had a chance to.
Shiri Maymon is an Israeli artist which I was obsessed with. I knew all her songs by heart (and still am) and I can definitely say my singing was impacted by her voice a lot.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘I Just Wanna Love You’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Oh Yes.
It is the first song I ever wrote, and it almost feels like it just came to me.
I was just at the beginning of a new relationship, and started falling in love.
One afternoon I went for a walk with my dog, and I felt like I could hear my feelings out loud. I started recording voice memos of those bits I was getting, and a few days later I had a full song.
When I was just about to release the song, my relationship ended and I had to let it go for a while. I couldn’t listen to it for a very long time, until finally my heart healed.
I decided to bring some of my relationship experiences into the music video, which makes it so personal but also a great closure for this story.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Yes! I already have my next single lined up!
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: My goal is to share my life experiences through music, and each listener can interpret it differently, according to their life experiences. I want my music to be inspiring, enlightening and uplifting, as this is the type of music I like to hear.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I feel fulfilled by making music and getting it out there, and this is my main focus at the moment. I know more things will come my way, but right now all I care about is to do it the best I can to create new music and enjoy the process of it.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: I find my creative process very different than what I would imagine.
So far, all songs I wrote came to me while I was going for a walk, run, or a drive. I’d just hear lyrics or music in my head and start recording little bits on my phone. I’d go over my recordings and try to assemble all pieces together until finally I’d have a song.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Comparing yourself to others. It starts from the little things, with seeing social media posts of someone’s “perfect” life, or going to auditions and seeing so many talented people around you. I think it’s a day to day challenge I’m trying to get better at and remember that you can’t compare yourself to others.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: There are so many moments I can be proud of, but right now I’m so proud of this project. The song, the music video and mostly the fact that I’m finally letting myself be authentic and vulnerable.
