I`m so glad Gil has shared the link to his latest interview in his fan page. He saved me a lot of effort. Anyway, this is another heart-touching interview for me. I don`t know why I always feel so sad whenever I read any of his interviews. Maybe it`s because of the many misconceptions and misunderstandings by the people towards him.
We know that since his appearance in The Voice of Germany, many articles have been written about him, and the general idea of all is his "COMEBACK". Comeback? Gil, was never gone. For those who stil didn`t know, he still continued his journey as a singer after his teenage years--being the short-haired Gil Ofarim. After that, he formed his rock band Zoo Army. Next to it, and up to the present, he is with Acht. So, when was the empty year? None. It`s just that, many people have not been following him since he left Bravo. And it`s not his job to tell you everything that`s happening to him to keep you updated. Well, I guess he just wanted a little privacy that time or just wanted to see who really cared for him.
In the last part of this interview, I felt so excited. He has so many plans for this year: more concerts, guesting and albums with Acht, English songs in a solo album, possible film-making, Zoo Army revival...and I hope everything goes well. I really wish him the best especially about his health.
MUNICH / sz For two weeks, the second season of "The Voice of Germany" (TVoG) with the last concert of the tour of the eight finalists in the Olympic Hall history. A prominent "talent" of the show was the Munich musician and artist Gil Ofarim. In an interview with Iris Mauch he looks back on his experiences with this TV format, but especially ahead of planned performances, concerts and a lot of interesting projects.
SZ: It is the TVoG Tour has come to an end - how was it for you?
Ofarim: I had not even expected to participate at all - I moved shortly after for Freaky T., who had to cancel for health reasons. The samples were therefore very briefly - but the show was huge and it was fun. It was a very nice tour, which has also given me the opportunity to say goodbye to the whole. There really are some people who are unfortunately not shown on television, in my opinion, but the most important people such as the Vocal Coach Yvonne Ambree and Naomi van Dooren.
SZ: constantly during the show, was the image of the "teen stars" tried, you were pushed into the corner comeback. Here you have done all these years music - away from the teen image. How much bothers or annoys you mind that such creative phases musical creation are virtually "swept under the rug" and acted as if between the "teen idol Gil" and "TVoG-Gil" was a vacuum?
Ofarim: Of course, it has stressed me somewhere and annoyed, but that's part. It's not my job to change the opinion of someone or to please come hell. I think I may just with my performance - with what I can, and as the person I am - to show what I am doing today.
SZ: How did the collaboration with Xavier Naidoo and his team - you will continue to cooperate in any way or is it completely finished?
Ofarim: The collaboration was easy. Xavier is a very busy man, but has a great team behind him, and the challenge to all talent in the team was: ". Stands the door you always open" How that happens then, you do not know ... It was just a great time.
SZ: Who was responsible for the song selection?
Ofarim: I do not.
SZ: So ... you stood not 100% behind it?
Ofarim: That's not true. I have told me one thing: "When I go to this TV show, then I do it all or nothing." That is, I realized that I can not make any claims - so I'm not too. I did not say yes and amen to everything, and I was one among many and made the best of it.
SZ: How much influence could you take on the songs that you have sung ultimately how they line up, etc.?
Ofarim: Before the Blind Auditions there along with four or five people a kind of pitching ideas. Since there were three proposals for me. We soon found out that would not work. I developed the Gnarls-Barkley song "Crazy" sung in this acoustic version, and that's it.
Although I generally difficult to find covers, because I write my own songs because they inevitably will be compared with the original, actually, every song was a hit. You can see that based on the video, as did I, I think a couple of records in the calls: my "Are you with me" and also the Battle of Eight. In any case - it all was ok - then the song selection can not have been that bad.
SZ: What is the goal you've been following with your participation and have you achieved it?
Ofarim: It was difficult for me to go to a talent show. But I personally had already win the claim.Xavier has asked all of us at the beginning: "Which one of you wants to win," When no one answered, I said that I want to win, because I know that what I do is my life and I for the rest of my wants to make life. Also, I was once elite athletes [Note the editor: Gil wanted to be a professional tennis player] , so winning is inside me. But winning is not necessarily to make the first place.Previously fly out would not have been nice. As it was, it was perfect - it could not have gone better.
I personally wish that I would the size of this platform that the show has commanded me, so have one for my own music. If I could make it, or if the media landscape allows it, I would be very, very happy and thankful. I had a very long time not so much radio airplay and interviews like the last six months. I got a lot of positive response, I was told, "You're great, you're great, that of Germany, which we had not expected, where have you been all these years?" This I can say: "Guys, I was never gone, I was always there - I mostly just stood in front of a closed door "
Before I went to TVoG I wished that the right thing happens. But it happened anyway. If you're a bit of free spirit, a little look outside the box, you know, it happens anyway. And so it happened ...
SZ: What should happen in 2013 anyway?
Ofarim: The right thing! - Private I hope in any case once that remain my friend and I and the dogs are healthy, that we find the home that we desire. The home is for me like the battery for everything else that comes uttered them.
Professionally, I have so much before ... I want to play with my band EIGHT much live. We want as many appointments as possible fulfill so many summer festivals as possible. There is quite a bit in planning - already fixed a gig at Munich's new Club Strøm is on 23 February.
I would like to make an album with EIGHT. We already have some very good strong songs, it now follow more. I'm the second-EIGHT album closer than my solo album.
Yes, I want this year also write a solo album, "Gil Ofarim" and bring out when it works well - it will be in English. Again, for me, that I do not just want to do something in a hurry, even though many - marketing strategists, managers, record company people - say that I do a solo album now put out immediately, should now take the shaft before a nine months the new season comes.
I also ZOO ARMY again revived - we have already had a couple of rehearsals, have found a very good drummer. It's great fun and I think that if this continues, we will continue with ZOO ARMY soon here and there to play a few secret gigs.
SZ: That's a lot! Do not you think that that is a bit too much maybe, because it are very different things yet?
Ofarim: I think that's the attraction. I would not like to eat roast pork every day. That's the great thing about EIGHT, that it is so diverse, and musically. But I want to make lots of other things. If all goes well, I would like to mid even make a film. I have now to a few talks in Berlin. However, there are five other candidates for the male lead, the turn much more in Germany and many more prices than I have cleared.
I'm just artists - that's what I do. I could probably do other things, but that would not satisfy me. On the TVoG tour, I realized that I could not show in the show so really what I'm doing what I'm made. I believe that when you see me live on stage, you know, who am I and why am I doing this and why I should stay here. It all comes at the right time.
The next opportunity to Gil Ofarim and his band to see live EIGHT:
Saturday 23, February 2013 in Strøm
Lindwurmstrasse 88, 80337 Munich
Inlet: 20 Clock / Clock beginning 21
Tickets via München Ticket:
