In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.    

This time it’s Tel Aviv-based songwriter-producer Noga Erez.

Over the course of the past year, the incendiary singles of Noga Erez have convinced many of her mindful, entertaining and wholly unpredictable brand of pop. An uncompromising, sophisticated form that directly confronts issues of social privilege, governmental oppression and sexual violence because while “Most of the time it's easy just to ignore what’s happening, […] every now and then reality makes that impossible.”

Parallel to this thoroughly personal exploration of contemporary global politics, Erez, with her writing partner Ori Rousso, have also set out to explore the unchartered outer regions of electronic production, creating muscular, alien beatscapes. Recent singles ‘Dance While You Shoot’, ‘Pity’, ‘Toy’, ‘Off The Radar’ and ‘Noisy’ can all attest to the incisive power of this songwriting duo.

We caught up with Erez following the June 2^nd release of her debut LP, Off The Radar, to learn a little more about this singular project.

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TMR: How do you feel your upbringing in Tel Aviv has shaped you as an artist?

Noga Erez: I actually didn't grow up in Tel Aviv but in a village in the north of Israel. I moved to Tel Aviv when I was a teen and the city, which is full of music and culture, inspired me to go after my dream of being a musician. I was fortunate enough to meet very talented and devoted people who encouraged me to do what I love with passion.

TMR: Your music is notably conscious, socially and politically speaking. Do you feel you have a responsibility to address certain issues as an artist?

NE: I don't necessarily believe that artists have a responsibility to play an 'activist' role. I think it’s up to the artist. Art should do all sorts of things, it should address deep and meaningful issues, but also be fun and entertaining. For me, it's important that some of the music out there broaches those issues, of course. Made by people who talk about what's happening in the world in a way that touches the personal human experience. Ideally, challenging or informing listeners vs. the click bait media. Giving them pause for thought. I believe music plays an important role in embracing the emotional aspect of reality.

TMR: Do you consider music a good agent for facilitating change? Why?

NE: I do. I think many of us have lost trust with the information that we get from politicians or the media. It is up to us, the people, to make sure we are aware of what is going on and informing each other. Speaking the truth and standing up against the false information that is fed to us daily. It only seems natural that if you have a platform, as an artist, it’s almost a duty to help try and inspire change and encourage people to take notice.



TMR: Your music is confrontational. Many kinds of music that can be described as such come from a place of rage. Where does your music come from?

NE: My music comes from a place of rage and frustration. Mainly because of things I can't control. There's something about anger and rage that works great with creativity. It's a feeling that really needs to be expressed.

It’s quite cathartic for me.

TMR: Is the process of writing music (that while personal, so directly addresses the tribulations of contemporary society) demanding? Is there therapy in making your music?

NE: Back when I used to make music just for fun, it was just pure joy, and I suppose a type of therapy as well. The ability to converse with myself through sound is the ultimate therapy for me. But, when I decided to make music professionally, a sense of frustration became a part of writing and playing music, naturally. But that's a whole other process, trying to create music with the same bliss and innocence like when I was a girl. Can't say I have totally figured it out yet.

TMR: Lyrics aside, is there something you try to achieve sonically when producing your music?

NE: I never approach producing sound with the intention of achieving something. I used to do that before, imagine something in my head and try as best as I can to create it in sound. But it never works. So I just changed my approach and decided to start the creative process with as little intention as possible. That really opened up my creative process, made it more freeing and unpredictable.



TMR: The visuals (particularly the videos) associated with this project are striking. How involved are you in the visual side of things?

NE: I'm very involved in creating the videos for the project. I've always loved music videos so I enjoy the opportunity to be a part of making them.

TMR: How does the live performance of Noga Erez differ from the recordings?

NE: It sounds pretty much the same. The work on the album and the show happened at the same time. We were aiming to get something that translated in both the recording and live. The biggest difference is that live we have our amazing drummer, Ran Jacobovitz, with us and he actually manages to play the drum parts that we created in the studio (live).

TMR: Are there any up-and-coming artists or bands you rate highly at the moment? 

NE: I don't know if he is an up and coming artist by definition, but I really enjoy listening to Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, his album is so great and inspiring.

TMR: What does 2017 hold for you? 

NE: My album is out on June 2 and so we plan to play as many shows as possible in support of it, which we're very much looking forward to! The touring we’ve done thus far has been an amazing experience and we’ve met so many incredible people along the way.



Off The Radar is out now via City Slang and catch Noga Erez at VISIONS Festival on Saturday 5^th August.

-Karl Jawara