Adar Alfandari is an up-and-coming artist from Israel, who is currently based in Berlin. I recently had the opportunity to check out his release, Jessica, and loved it. Don’t miss out on Adar’s music – you can find Jessica at the end of this interview!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new track titled Jessica, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song?
Jessica is probably the least serious song on my upcoming album (text wise). I had a breakup after a long relationship about a year and a half ago, and not long after I released my debut album. I remember running some ads for the song Wonder, and then seeing a cute woman comment on the song. I gave that background for the story here because I was in that ‘not so sure how to handle myself in the free single world’ place and I got (very) temporarily attached to this hypothetic love story. I wrote this song in about 30 minutes and recorded a demo of it that same day, which is something I’ve never done before or afterwards. In reality, the conversation I had with the real Jessica didn’t go so far because she didn’t really speak English and she also lived in Argentina. It was funny, encouraging lyrics to be born.
How has the reception been so far to Jessica, and where can it be purchased?
The reaction to the song is really great so far, still reaching most of my existing fanbase honestly. Whoever it reaches has a high potential of humming the tune, which is quite funny as I only just now realized how hooky this is.
And also, a great reminder from you to put it on Bandcamp, so you can find it there now: https://ad…ck/jessica
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
I am currently releasing my second album slowly, I released my second single Appreciate the Silence a few weeks ago and this release will be followed by a few more. I am currently re-assessing my release plan, but I can certainly say that there will be at least two more singles coming soon that I am very excited about, sounding like nothing else I’ve done.
Do you have an album or EP lined up for release?
This upcoming album will include 18 tracks (!) that are very different from each other, which is kind of the soundtrack/a musical time bubble of my last two years. Including songs on the wide range between folk-rock-alt-ethnic music and even some bluegrass, sometimes all mixed together in the same song.
You released an album called Gold Dust last year. What can you tell us about the album?
My debut album Gold Dust was a huge project and an important step for me and my musical career. It includes songs from the moment I started writing (like How I’m Gonna Make You Mine) and ones I wrote a night before going to the studio (Working Ants), resembling me building my artistic sound and character. I had the privilege to work with Idan Katz on this whole album – he who produced it with me and recorded everything and mixed it himself, and I learned a lot during the process.
This album also encouraged me to tour abroad (and later move to Berlin) and produce and edit the next album by my own, with the assistance and help of a good friend called Austin Russiter, who I met along the way.
Your music has elements of the alt-rock genre, as well as indie. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
I stated my musical career with a local art rock band in Israel together with my brother, so alt-rock will always be a part of me, but in recent years I have gotten more into indie, folk and whatever it is that touches me and makes me feel like I didn’t hear that exact melody million times.
The artists that influenced me the most are still probably Chris Cornell, Dan Aurbach (The Black Keys and The Arcs), The Tallest Man on Earth, Father John Misty and Feist.
I am currently listening a lot to Jesca Hoop and also to some local Berlin Artists that I had the privilege to meet in the last few months, like Mone and Lotta St Joan, who I’m absolutely addicted to.
Where are you based? What is the music scene like there at the moment?
I am currently based in Berlin. I moved here 8 months ago and lived in Israel before that. I love the local music scene here which has got to offer so much more than just techno. There are endless open mics and private music events, from tiny and cozy ones to massive gigs. And countless extremely talented musicians that so far give me a more encouraging feel than competitive, which is quite unique for me in comparison to other scenes I’ve experienced.
Did the pandemic hinder you much?
The pandemic certainly hit me like many other people I know, I feel like I got to some conclusions that would have taken me way more time to get to – like moving to Berlin, and touring alone at kind of the second peak of the pandemic. Which led to me getting blocked from getting to Norway for a gig I had or getting stuck in Israel with Covid, while all my gear was in a friend’s place in London, just a few days before a recording session I had booked in Berlin (I still managed to do it somehow). But most of it is behind me now and luckily, I mixed it with so many good experiences, though let’s just hope there is not another wave coming, because it was definitely enough.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
I played some gigs in the UK last fall, and sadly had some cancelled in the winter due to Covid. I am currently planning my next tour and will possibly also come to the UK, but we’ll see about that soon… so stay updated.
Any last words for the fans?
Thanks for getting to the end of this interview, I would appreciate every stream and play of my songs that are available in wherever platform you listen to music in. And you are welcome to follow me on Instagram Facebook, Spotify, Youtube, bla bla bla, you know the drill…
I can promise to release lots of new music and European tour dates quite soon.