Israeli superstar gets ready to break into the US airwaves with 'Paper Parachute.'
Hometown: Israel
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA
We know you got your break on Israeli Idol, but did you always want to be musician?
I discovered music when I was 9 years old. There was a moment at my sister's birthday party, I grabbed a mic and started singing and haven't stopped since. It was 24 years ago.
Do you prefer writing and singing in Hebrew or English?
I sound very different in English. Something in that language brings my tougher side out. I can't explain it really.
What was your inspiration for Paper Parachute?
Paper Parachute reflects my inner wars. The constant need to stay true to yourself, with your love, with your career and with your life. I keep asking myself what's real, the stories I keep telling myself or maybe the everyday life. And at the end, we're all falling down from a tall building and we never know when we'll hit the ground.
What's your songwriting process?
Usually I write the lyrics first. Then I take a guitar and play what my fingers want me to play. But then I can also start writing a loop on my computer and then those loops takes me to a whole different place. I always try to find the place where I need to push myself to my limit and once I pass that limit, I find treasures.
Who are your musical heroes?
Jeff Buckley. He is the reason I write music, and he is the reason I started playing guitar at the age of 24, which is kinda late but not too late. He has this undeniable truth. When he sings, I feel the sky is open. His songs and lyrics can reassure every burn that has come undone.
Does living in Israel influence your songwriting style?
Every place has its energy, obviously. Israel is a beautiful, special place that can be very stressful sometimes and when you write from that place, you can find a lot of conflicts in the songs.
What’s your big 2017 goal?
My goal is to play with my band anywhere on this planet and to record my next album in a studio that will make me spend my nights there too.
You must have an interesting story about being on Myspace as a musician, right?
I put my first two songs in English on MySpace! It was a loooong time ago!
What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?
A fan built a violin for me for ten years and then came all the way to England (while I was recording my first English album) to tell me that I am the messiah. I swear.
Describe your music to people who haven't heard it before.
Spicy Rock N Roll
If you were a hashtag, what would you be?
#whatthefuckman
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