“Honesty is something I’ve been dealing with a lot in my personal life and in music, as a concept and as an ideal. Questions such as How honest am I towards myself? How honest am I towards other people? How honest is my music? That’s kind of what I mean with “all fronts”.”
explains Ran Zamir alias RUN, an Israeli but for the past 5 years Berlin based artist, about this latest EP ‘Honest on all Fronts’. We talked to him about singing in Hebrew allowing him to go deeper in his subconscious, his insatiable reading of Bukowski leading him to Berlin and his goals for the future.
„Honest on all Fronts“ is the name of your debut EP. Talk us through the title inspiration and main inspiration for the music?
Not exactly my debut EP, I’ve been producing music for a minute. But definitely a left turn from previous attempts and the most personal body of work I put out yet. Honesty is something I’ve been dealing with a lot in my personal life and in music, as a concept and as an ideal. Questions such as How honest am I towards myself? How honest am I towards other people? How honest is my music? That’s kind of what I mean with “all fronts”. Nearly all of the vocals on this EP were freestyled, basically everything except the second verse of “Meanwhile”. I kept the original vocals and didn’t record a better more rehearsed performance later, keeping it imperfect and true to the moment. A lot of the inspiration for the project came from my continued interest in Terence McKenna’s work and my own personal experience/s. It has something to do with heartbreak, getting lost, other states of consciousness and the dissolving of ego. It’s not so much about sadness or happiness but a balance of both. If anything, it’s high.
How long did you work on it and where was it all recorded?
I recorded all of the materials during 2015. These tracks are only a few tracks from the last year that I felt represented similar emotions and aesthetics. It was a process of playing with that sound hoping to find emotional connection that will drive me to throw vocals on top. It was all produced, recorded, mixed and mastered in my modest living room/kitchen/studio.
My favourite song on it is the one called „Meanwhile“. I love the fact that you sing/rap in Hebrew in it and the track has a very special atmosphere. Do you also have a more personal connection to this song due to the language than to the English ones?
It almost means more hearing that from someone that doesn’t speak the language. I guess the intent shines through the atmosphere and the color of the vocal. Yeah, there is something about this one for me as well. It was really late at night when I made that beat, after one hour of work I just freestyled on it and Hebrew is what came out. I guess Hebrew allows me to go deeper in my subconscious and what comes out is more direct and reflective of my state of mind. The last track “Intoxication/Elation” is also in Hebrew and I feel more connection to that one as well. So yeah, maybe you’re onto something.
Your favorite track on it?
“Meanwhile” as well. That’s the first song I recorded for this EP. it was the catalyst for the rest of the stuff. It’s also quite personal. That’s exactly why it was important for me to attach it to visuals. Gal Yaron Meyerson swooped in and he shot and edited the video for the track. We worked together on the general concept but he had a free hand to reflect the way he saw fit.
You have been living in Berlin now for many years, right? What brought you over here initially and is it the city you can imagine to grow old in?
I moved to Berlin nearly 5 years ago. I came here because I needed a change. The overall climate in Israel and my insatiable reading of Bukowski helped a lot in pushing me here. There was also a girl. Berlin presents some great opportunities and a sense of freedom that I doubt exists in other places. About growing old here, I’m not thinking that far ahead.
From my experience it is a very creative, vibrant city however it can be tricky to stay focused and really actually produce stuff because of all the distraction and the pretty laid-back, sometimes not very ambitious attitude of people. What is your experience with that; speaking in a personal sense as well?
There isn’t a big sense of competition in Berlin, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I guess it depends on what drives an individual. I don’t thrive in competition and sitting down to make music is easy for me because it’s fun. Finishing work is more difficult. I really do believe that a creative person cannot just write, play or paint. There is a need to get out there and be inspired by life and I still find Berlin very inspiring that way. There are phases, but stay in Berlin long enough and at some point just partying and coasting isn’t going to be enough.
What do you miss most about Israel, if there is anything at all that you do miss?
Tel-Aviv, The food which is crazy good, Friends and family, Beach life and a summer that’s not broken.
Your dreams and goals for your musical and private future?
Sustaining myself only with music would be great. I have different projects, some are more dancefloor oriented and so live sets are my next focus.
The most important thing in life?
Living it.
The best moments to listen to your EP?
Stoned and in front of good speakers.
www.soundcloud.com/run/sets/hxoxaxf
www.runb.bandcamp.com/album/honest-on-all-fronts
www.facebook.com/rhansolo
Image by Andrew Kaineder
