First off, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, and where you live would be pretty standard?
My name is Oren Filosof Cohen, 40 years old, from Tel Aviv, Israel.
How do you enjoy where you live? Is there a vibrant music community where you are? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity?
Well, I do enjoy where I live because I made myself a nice little apartment with my beloved wife (Karin) and our cat (Bunchy), I have my home studio where I am creating my music. So in that sense I do enjoy where I live. But state wise... well, that’s something else. I really don’t feel any kind of attachment to the Israeli music scene, but yes, I guess the situation of my country does influence as it reflects on the texts in my music. There is an alternative music scene in Tel Aviv, but I’m afraid the dark electronic / industrial scene is not that vibrant do to The Small amount of people in this particular scene and lack of musical eclecticism mixed together with a very stressful Israeli way of living.
Do you consider yourself to be part of a particular sound or scene? What is your thoughts on the nature of genres and styles, and do you have any particular ones which you find to your enjoyment more, listening and/or production-wise?
Personally I don’t really like all that over musical categorization, I do feel that when you try to create something new, bring a sound from your head into this dimension, there is no place for any genre based boundaries. Having said that I do think you could say that my sound belongs to the dark wave / minimal synth world in a way although I don’t really consider myself as a part of any scene really.
I do like listening to (and influenced by) old school Wax trax bands (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult , Ministry, sister machine gun). Some Alien sex fiend, Christian Death, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry , 16 volt… this list can really go on and on…
When it comes to fan and critic feedback, how much do you take it to heart, and how much do you feel it evolves, pushes, or holds your sound in place? Do you feel that the personal response and interaction in the live environment and the subsequent positive press you've regarding both your live and recorded music has consciously encouraged you to do things a certain way?
I’m pieces, so I take everything to the heart!! nnnaaa , kidding. But seriously, I always try to listen and take what I can from every feedback, good or bad. Positive response and vibes means a lot to me always, but as far as my creativity goes they have no effect on it.
The interview continues after this video and all further streaming content...
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically?
I totally would say that my life, emotionally, spiritually and logically, are reflecting in my music and as a result I sometimes become more aware of suppressed emotions or feelings I have. Music totally changed my life and I can’t really imagen living without creating it.
What would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to art and music? Are there any bands that you would say struck you with the chord that inspired you to peruse your current path of musical aspirations?
My biggest influences are 80’s and 90’s industrial bands like: ministry, my life with the thrill kill kult , Chemlab, NIN , 16 volt…
Old school batcave and post punk bands like PIL , Chrisian death, Alien sex fiend, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Joy division and Killing joke.
The One band that really saved my life is Type o negative, although I don’t believe it influences my sound, T o n are always in my heart.
If you could say there are underlying themes or messages that permeate throughout your discography, what would you say are the most important concepts and ideas you've tried to express throughout your artistic career, political, spiritual, or personal?
Modern life I guess… governments that lie and steal what is rightfully ours, send us to kill each other, making us blind with self-doubt and fear, the “good old” divide and conquer. I have written and will probably write more about this issues as it always “ticks” me off.
When it comes to your musical self and your real-world self, would you say that there is a separation? Do you find yourself getting into a character or mindset when you create, or do you find your music is a representation of your day to day self?
Yes and no. there is a separation in a sense that in real life I am not that piss of all the time ☺
But I don’t really need to get into character either, just give me that microphone and some beat and I will probably have something to say.
What are your thoughts on genres in general? Do you find them creatively helpful as a template to work with? Or do you find them restricting? Or possibly somewhere in between? Now that the internet has caused so much crossover in music, would you even say genre labels are relevant any more?
As I said before, as a musician, I find the whole “over genre tagging” thing very restricting when you try to create something new. But I do understand the necessity of it on the different musical platforms like Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Apple music and such. When a person wants to “dive” and search for new music this tagging can be very helpful.
So much has been said, and it sometimes feels that every word combination has every been taken. As a lyricist myself I know the pain of how hard it can be to articulate something in a way that is both engaging to the audience and uniquely artist. How do you find inspiration for your lyrical poetry?
Well, I look around me and see so much unhappiness and blindness. I feel that Humanity is at one of its Lowest points in history. But I do see some signs of worldwide awakening. I also used to deal with self-destruction a lot, the way a person is perceived in today’s society Also my wife is a great muse of mine.
Have you had any particular moment(s) that you would like to share, that you would consider to be a crowning achievement in your musical career so far, or moments that you would say truly continue to inspire you to pursue your artistic path?
The moment I published a track on soundcloud and a label manager from Peru send me a message that said “contact me”. 2 months later my first album “Stimulated Autobranded” came out. It really made a difference to me and gave me a push.
Playing live shows, recording new tracks, attempting to go live the life that gives you the experiences that inspires it all... it can be difficult to balance the time. Do you have any particular methods that you use to keep yourself focused or balanced in your direction?
I think when you have real love in your life it really balances everything.
For fans who have not seen you yet, when it comes to your live show, how would you describe yourself thematically and visually? Are you an energy and audience driven band in the live atmosphere? Or would you consider yourself to be more thematic or presentation oriented?
My vibes on stage are always on the more ‘’upery’’ side. I move around, dance to the beat, dramatize the songs and ones in a while saying a few words to the crowd. I am really immersing myself with the songs and the way I feel they should be presented.
When it comes to performing, what are your favorite sort of venues to play in, and what are your favorite areas to tour? If you could tour with any other band in the world who would it be and why? What are some of your favorite memories of touring?
I prefer more intimate venues, where the crowd is close to the stage. Any area is cool (as long as I get paid on transportation there) for me. If I could tour with another band I would choose to tour with Kontravoid because I think our energies have something similar and it would be interesting meeting Cameron Findlay.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
I think it is always a challenge making music that you know wouldn’t be appreciated in your own country, but I got used to it so today I don’t even try to promote my music in Israel any more.
Sometimes people ask me why I don’t write in Hebrew, well, I want to get in touch with more audiences in the world and English really flows naturally from me. So why should I minimize my art by putting a language border on it?
Do you have any other musical projects that you are involved with, or do you have any other musicians or artists that you collaborate with in some capacity?
I had some other projects I was involved with some time back. Two bands (BOR and Libido Ex) with Nir Tarter, another Israeli musician and a good friend. But currently I’m concentrating on recording songs for my second album, not really involving anyone else in recording and writing yet.
If you could collaborate with any musician or artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And what in particular draws you to want to collaborate with them? What sort of new bands have come out in recent years that have caught your attention? Is there any bands out there you see yourself, or would like to, remix or collaborate with in the future?
I Would like to record with Groovie Mann from TKK, the vibe of this band in the early days was what made me “dig” and find more influences on my sound.
More recent bands I’m into lately are Drab Majesty, light asylum, Kontravoid, Animal Bodies, High-Functioning Flesh, V A L I S…
Outside of music, what are some of your favorite past times and emotional engagements?
I am a Horrorhead. One of my favorite things (after music, food and love) is horror films. Classic, new and old (Old Hammer and Tartan movies, Hellraiser, elm street, House of 1000 corpses to name but a few). I have a massive collection of my favorite horror action figures on a wall right in front of the entrance door to our house so that is probably the first thing people see when they enter our house.
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
Music is life!!! Much thanks to the infidel people, I thing u guys are doing a great job!
Keep consuming RAWMOUTH !
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