Lara Snow is an electro-pop songstress from Tel Aviv, who’s released her debut single “I Like Snow” (Collaborated with Safra) earlier this year. After Lara’s rock band broke up, she started recording demos for her songs and then started collaborating with local producer Safra and drummer/producer Jonatan Harpak. Soon after, the three released their first collaborated single “I Like Snow”, The video was shot in an abandon house covered with graffiti by some of the best Israeli street artists.
Photographed and interviewed by Lauren Engel
Tell us about your upbringing in Tel Aviv and how did it shape the person you are now?
Growing up in Tel Aviv is definitely a unique experience. It’s a beautiful place, filled with music, art, great food, great nightlife and awesome people. Everyone here are really friendly, worm & open. I guess this influenced my personality a lot and made me more open, spontaneous, out there, “don’t take no for an answer” kind of a person.
What is the Israeli music industry like? What genres are popular?
The Israeli music industry is not very big, though it has some amazing artists in it and it keeps growing all the time, especially over the last few years. The popular genres here are very wide. We have it all starting Israeli pop, Mediterranean music and all the way to every Alternative genre you can think of.
How have you seen music in Tel Aviv change in the last few years?
From my point of view – growing up it was all about Punk, later on we had a big wave of Dub Step & Drum and Bass and then came the alternative & Indie. Now it’s kind of a mix of these + a lot of funk, soul & Rock’n’Roll.
Do you find it difficult from living in Tel Aviv to crossover into American and European markets? Why?
I think it’s definitely harder for artist from TLV to crossover to those markets, mostly because we didn’t grow up there; and we are less familiar with the scenes there, that’s why it’s harder for us to navigate in those places, but it’s not impossible, if you work hard and study the market, you should be able to harmonizing there.
How did you get into singing and producing?
I started singing when I was 2 year old, so I guess you can say I’ve been singing since I can remember myself. A couple of years ago, after my band split, I was very sad about it, and a friend suggested that I would go and study production, so I could be the “Boss” of my own music, and so I did, and I’ve been learning ever since. I wouldn’t call myself a producer just yet, but I am very much involved with the production of my music. I put my world and vision into it.
What music did you listen to growing up? Who were your biggest inspirations?
As a child, I was listening to a lot of pop music. Growing up, as a teenager I was a rebel and was all into Punk & Rock. Later on came the Alternative and electronic music into my life and I just fell in love with it. So I guess what I do now is kind of a mix between all of these. Some of the artists that have influenced me the most during my life are: Radiohead, David Bowie, Jeff Buckley, Muse and Bjork. And in the past few years I find a lot of inspiration in: Grimes, Die Antwoord, FKA twigs, M83, Twin Shadow and many more.
Would you say growing up in Tel Aviv gave you a certain perception on the music you make?
Yes, growing up here definitely influences my vision & sound. Thought I have to say, I get most of my inspiration from European and American music & literature.
What inspired you to start your own project–Lara Snow? Is that your original name?
Lara Snow is a stage name I gave myself. It came out of a need for me to be a better & more glamorous version of myself. Also she came out of a need for me to do something that is truly mine. Just to put my vision & heart out there.
How do your songs ‘I Like Snow’ and ‘Walls’ portray your personality?
It’s funny that you’ve asked specifically about these two songs because they both touch the same subject – being young and confused, finding yourself around people that bring you down and make you kind of lose the real you & become a new you, that you don’t really like anymore. For me those songs are a symbol of a person becoming free, and overcoming the difficulties that other people bring into their lives. I guess they reveal the fighter inside of me.
What inspired your ‘I Like Snow’ music video?
The “I Like Snow” music video was shot in an abandon house in Jaffa, covered with art by some of the best Israeli street artists. We wanted to create a video that connects with the power in the song. The wolves in there are an image to those demons around you, weather they are real or only in your imagination, that are trying to bring you down, and how you are trying to stand up to them and to be a better person.
What is your perception about real love?
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)
The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
and sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)
God topples from the sky, hell’s fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan’s men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
I fancied you’d return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)
I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)”
― Sylvia Plath
