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’m originally from Latvia, but most of my live I’ve been living in Israel and it feels like home. I’ve been playing the piano since I was 6 years old, started from classical, and then went my own way with original music. It’s like therapy, like meditation, a quiet headspace where I can express myself and let my feelings flow out.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’m in love with Tori Amos’s music (last week was a tribute concert I had for her songs), also artists like Muse, Coldplay, The Cinematic Orchestra and others. I listen to very different music, from Pop all the way to Metal.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: I think that was Tori Amos, her freedom of writing and composing however she sees fit, the freedom of expression has always fascinated me. Music is the ultimate place to be completely yourself.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Coffee’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Coffee was born during the pandemic, when I was quarantining with my then 2-year old daughter Alice, whom I love dearly. She needed mommy all the time, and I had very little personal space, and from these feelings, the song was born. It’s a song about finding hope in situations that seem hopeless.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I’ve been releasing singles in the past several years and that is the plan for the future as well. I also have an instrumental piano album that is recorded but still unreleased, it’s patiently waiting for its time and I believe it will come really soon. Stay tuned!
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 music is very heartfelt. All the emotions are out, either happy or sad, I give my all in terms of expression and I always hope that it will touch hearts the way it touched me when I wrote it.
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 think that music is more fun than work, it’s the movements of the soul that are fascinating and are giving birth to music. I remember writing a song in a matter of minutes, when a surge of inspiration came, and I just played and sang and wrote along. After that – sometimes minor changes are made but usually nothing drastic. So I don’t define music as “work”, although it does sometimes requires effort (for example, when playing with others, to understand how to build the “together” sound to complement the song) but it’s always so much fun! And always worth it.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Usually with songs, words and music come together. I just open the piano, and start playing and singing, recording the parts that I like with my phone. I don’t write notes, I always prefer recording and writing something really minimal to remember what I did. Then, if the inspiration lasts long enough, the song will be done in about half an hour. Sometimes I have only part of a song, and finish it another day. I don’t fight against it if the inspiration is gone. I listen to it and get back to writing another day. Although sometimes it IS important to persist and just play and sing something until the inspo comes back.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Well, if it’s life in general, it is always the death of loved ones. I’ve had beloved family members who passed away and left a hole in the world, and I remember them every day.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: The release of my first EP in 2017 was a moment of triumph for me, when I saw all the people that came to support me and listen to me, and the radio embraced the songs as well. I did a lot of successful interviews and played live on radio and TV. That was amazing.
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