Aviv Geffen Interview
The Roundhouse, Friday 10 October 2008
Aviv Geffen has been a star in Israel since childhood. His father is a well known poet and journalist, while Aviv has courted controversy for avoiding national service, being banned on the radio, and in his own words considered Israel’s Kurt Cobain. Back in his homeland he plays packs out 40,000 seater arenas. He’s been living in England for the past year and has teamed up with legendary producer Trevor Horn on his new album. It’s the first time Geffen has recorded in English and the album is due for release early next year. In addition, he’s looking forward to shortly going on tour with Mercury Rev. Music News caught up with the Israeli superstar before his recent gig at the Roundhouse 2. Music News: Welcome to England, Aviv. Have you been here before?
I have a long history with England. Love story. Since 1996. I lived in West Hampstead for a year. Did some crap music, came here for the vibe. Actually I was exiled in Israel in a way. I was with Yitzhak Rabin (the Israeli prime minister) when he was shot (assassinated in November 1995). A lot of people saw me as being someone who would continue his peace process. It became traumatic for me to be in Israel after that night and so I came to London. And now I’m doing it properly with the best management, and the best people, like Trevor Horn.
MN: You’ve been quoted as naming the likes of Bob Dylan and Radiohead among your influences. Who were your early influences?
Leonard Cohen, Tom Waites, Nick Cave, all the good buddies. I was inspired by gothic rock and punk or however you want to describe it.
MN: The sense of feeling and passion really shines through in your music. Can you remember when you first realised you had a feel for music and the arts?
I started writing when I was seven years old when my parents split up. I wrote the song for them to get back together again. It was like my first scream in a way. It became my therapy. I was thrown out of my school when I was really young, so it was difficult childhood.
MN: Have you got a songwriting formula?
No. I just create. When you’re Jewish it’s really easy for you to be angry about God and to be dealing with death. (It helps the creative process).
MN: If you could be remembered for one song which would it be?
It’s so hard to choose. I don’t know to be honest. I think for now it’s a new song called October from the new album, which is dealing with all my childhood in a way, and I feel very connected with this song.
MN: You’re working with Trevor Horn on the new album. How did that come about?
My manager (Kwame) contacted him and arranged a meeting. He heard the demo tracks and he got it, he thought there was something there to work with. For me it’s like a dream. One of the top five producers ever, you can’t ask for more. There were lots – we talked with Dave Fridman (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev), and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, Christina Aguilera), great, top producers, but it just had to be Trevor Horn.
MN: In Israel you are very famous and recognisable everywhere you go. How does it feel being in other countries and not being recognised?
It’s like a freedom. When I was 21 I used to get so excited before a gig, and in Israel I’m playing in front of thousands of people and feels like nothing, like I’m going to do a job and then going home. But here I’m starting from zero but then I know that today lots of bands are struggling to bring 50 people to shit-holes.
MN: I know the feeling. I’ve been playing those shit-holes as a drummer for the last 20 years.
Yes, and we sold out tonight’s gig in a few days, which is great.
MN: How is the album progressing? Are you happy with the way it’s going?
Right now the eighties are back, like the new Killers stuff, that big eighties production is back. And for the eighties sound Trevor is the king.
MN: Are you going to get a chance to see many bands while you’re in London?
Yes, of course. I went to see Pete Molinari. Great songs but no charisma. I like the new Killers single. And now we’re touring with Mercury Rev. I like those kind of bands. Not too big but accessable.
MN: What do you think has been the main factor of your success in Israel?
Balls. I’m a really brave person. When I’m going on stage in Israel there’s a small chance that I won’t get off the stage because of fanatical Israelis, and sometimes they send me death threats. The guy that I adore, Jim Morrison, who played here at the Roundhouse he took it to the extreme. Kurt Cobain he to it to the extreme. In a way I did the same thing in Israel. It’s a really young country and I was the one to wear make up, to write against the government, against my family, it was brave in Israel.
MN: Are you comfortable with your persona in Israel? Does Israel understand the real you?
Oh yes. I definitely left a scratch on the face of Israel, and then I started to move on.
MN: Your big musical sound I feel would go down well in America. Are you building a big fanbase over there?
A had a band called Blackfield with Steven Wilson and we’ve got a lot of fans out there. We signed to Atlantic Records. And now we’re trying to do it smart and right.
MN: You’ve got the best of both worlds. You can pack out 40,000 seater stadiums and have that experience back home (in Israel) and play much smaller venues elsewhere around the world.
Yes. I feel I’ve got something new to deliver, and in the UK they (the press) can either kill you or hug you. And hopefully they’re going to hug me.
MN: You’ve achieved many things in your life so far at a young age. Have you many unfulfilled ambitions?
I’ve written a script which is in the process of being developed, but I’m now focused on my first album sung in English and I’m going to hook up with some really cool artists, and looking forward to touring with Mercury Rev. I feel strong, it’s a good period.
MN: Do you feel you’re flying the flag for Israel musically?
I’m not. I’ve got my story, my musical history and I’m proud of it. I’m considered the Kurt Cobain of Israel. We’re a tiny market but we’re something, we can bring great music and not just weapons and wars.
MN: Many thanks Aviv for your time and open answers. Music News would like to wish you all the best for your forthcoming tour and the new album.
For more information visit
www.myspace.com/avivgeffen
