Music is the universal language and Brit-rock influenced, Israeli-born Izakman serves as the living embodiment of this. Incorporating English, British Sign Language, Braille, and Morse Code in his acclaimed music video Cyber Love, the upcoming musician has caught the attention of festivals and critics worldwide.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Izakman about the latest project, adapting during lock downs, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m from Jaffa, Israel and I play Britpop influenced by psychedelic rock. I was told that my sound is what The Beatles would have sounded like if they recorded music for Black Mirror.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
I have been hearing sounds and melodies in my head ever since I remember myself.
I wake up and go to sleep with it. I’m mystified by composing and songwriting. It’s the most powerful means of expression for me. I desire to bridge my inner world with the outside world, and performing to me is the most direct way to do it.
I went to study piano with a chamber music musician – Miri Singer, who mainly plays the harpsichord in her concerts. I especially enjoyed improvising in her lessons, and she really encouraged that in me, saying I don’t need to study composition since it came out of me naturally.
Despite my passion for music, I decided to major in visual arts in high school and later to study animation in Bezalel Academy for arts and design.
The decision to study at Bezalel didn’t stop my musical development as I kept writing songs, composing and recording in my home studio for my animation work and others as well.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
The previous release – Rabbit Holes was totally made D.I.Y. back then I had no method and knowledge in music production. Most songs were performed and mixed with no one else involved but me. A good example of the difference between the first and second album is the song “Sleeping the Day Away”. It appears on both albums, in completely different versions. The new album was produced in a more traditional manner – in a professional recording studio, with a live band and a producer.
The new release “Cyber Love” includes 10 songs, all sharing the theme of absence, all written to the sound of the late ‘60s or the ‘70s. Each song tells a story of its own, some use fairy tale imagery like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderworld, Pinocchio and more yet the lyrics mainly portray a view of our world today.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
At first, it felt like the end of the world for me. My dream of building a musical career and touring worldwide seemed impossible when the first pandemic started. I thought the pandemic took away my future. But then, I adapted, I used the time to go with the band to the studio and record the album’s second half.
I also released my music video “Cyber Love”, which deals with communication and intimacy in the digital world. I feel it’s relevant now more than ever since the lockdowns made us even more dependent on technology than we already were before the pandemic.
What was the last song you listened to?
Nature boy by Eden Ahbez, which is a song I’m planning to make a cover. Eden Ahbez lifestyle was very influential by the hippy movement in the 60’s.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Vinyl to me is the ultimate listening experience. It has a very distinct frequency. You can sense it in your body, beside your ears. Also, the size of the album cover gives an added visual and physical value you don’t get from just streaming the music.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
Follow my Facebook and Instagram pages
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
I upload performances and experimental videos on my YouTube Chunnel.
I will shortly release a new video of” Rabbit hole “on YouTube, an animated video I produced with Addart a Salonika animation studio.
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