Noa Babayof - Blue Bound (2016). Entrevista a Noa Babayof

La israelí Noa Babayof actúa por vez primera en España acompañada por el guitarrista Ben Golan. Folk psicodélico heredero de la mejor tradición (Linda Perhacs, Bridget St John, Joni Mitchell, Fred Neil, Alex Chilton, Nico...).

Su primer disco, “From a Window To a Wall"(2008) fue grabado en EE.UU. junto a miembros de los ya míticos Espers (Greg Weeks fue el productor) y Fern Knight.

NOA BABAYOF

Blue Bound (2016)

Su segundo trabajo, publicado este mismo año bajo el título de "Blue Bound", sitúa a Noa Babayof en la senda reservada a los clásicos de las últimas décadas, como una de las cantautoras más especiales de los últimos años.

Nuestro compañero Josechu Egido ha hablado con Noa Babayof, mientras ultima sus últimos ensayos, antes de embarcarse en su gira por España.

LA GIRA

24/09. Segovia - Inauguración Winter Indie City

25/09. "Islas De Robinson" (Rne-Radio3)

26/09. Radiocity Discos - Madrid (**Short Set**)

27/09. Bilbao - Colegio De Abogados

28/09. Madrid - Sala El Intruso

29/09. Burgos (Concierto Privado)

30/09. Valencia - Tulsa Café / Opening Act: Nacho Casado (La Familia del Árbol)

01/10. Poblete (Ciudad Real)

THE INTERVIEW

The songs of Noa Babayof sound like an elegant Folk and a sophisticated Pop and a psicodelic’ author music. A mix of styles that results on the personal sound of your music. But, what are really your musical influences? Thank you! My main influences are: The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, The Velvet Underground, Big Star, Bert Jansch. Townes Van Zandt  and Smog (Bill Callahan).

Next year will mark 10 years since you edited your first LP " From A Window To A Wall " in 2007. What is the difference between the music of Noa Babayof today and your music 10 years ago? You’re right! Can’t believe it’s almost ten year old now! Crazy.. The difference is mainly in the sound.. I’m always searching for new ways to express myself, to say more, to feel more. Or saying less, but with all the notes, mix of sounds and emotions that feels right. The music production took a few steps ahead in my music, it’s much more meaningful to me now. In the past, the lyrics were everything to me, and they’re still very important , but these days, I’m all about the music I can make with other people. Seeing what else I can do, to be out there in full color.

What's your inspiration when making your songs? People I’ve met, People I’m seeing now, People I’ll never meet, Good music, The absence of people/things/feelings, Being afraid. Hopefully soon- Being happy.

Are you completed your expectations with tour last album Blue Bound? What do you expect from this album? I’m not done with Blue Bound, in many ways. There still so much to do with it…. I produced it myself, and did so much work just to get it out into the world, that I haven’t had enough time to promote it properly, to get the new music out there. I still want to tour with it, I want to send it to everyone I can.. I’m already eager to work on my new songs, but there’s still so much to do to in order to get Blue Bound to people’s attention, and hopefully, hearts.. I hope that Blue Bound will be my bridge to a wider crowd. I feel it’s making the way for my third album by opening a few more doors.

What do we will see and enjoy in your live concerts? Well, I’m coming with another great musician, Ben Golan, on electric guitar. He’s the band leader of a great group named TREE, that makes amazing psychedelic rock, heavy influenced by the 60’s and 70’s.. so he’ll be bringing his own special sounds to my folky music. We’ll be playing music from my two albums, and perform few tributes to a few of our favourite musicians.

This is not your first time in Spain. What do you think about the Spanish crowd? What do expect from them? Oh, but it is! Very very excited about this tour and finally coming to beautiful Spain. I owe it all to Luis de Benito from Islas De Robinson on Radio 3. Ever since my first album, he’s been the most wonderful friend to myself and my music. Thanks to him, I know at least some people in Spain , heard my music already..  .Working on this tour and being part on the Facebook group of his show, I feel like I’ve already met some wonderful people, and so I’m guessing the Spanish crowd will be kind, sweet and open for what we will bring with us, to pass along to them :)

What are your plans for this current year 2016 and next 2017? We assume that you will touring around clubs and festivals. Can you advance anything to us? Any important event? I’ve just finished Blue Bound’s tour in my country, and now very much looking forward to the one in Spain. When I’ll get back, I’m planning to sit and write songs for my new album. which is in its early stages right now. My biggest hope is to be able to work on it with a few amazing people I have in mind.. and that it will be released on 2017. 

Do you think the digital world will end with music as we know it today? What do you think is the future of music? I think there will always be a technological progress that will bring us new ways of listening to music, purchase music and so on.. it’s not bad, it’s just the natural progression of things… and it helps a lot with spreading music to new ears all over the world. However, as a vinyl lover, I’m so glad to see that some things cannot be replaced. The excitement around this format, is a constant celebration to the heart.  “You can put your arms around a memory”, Johnny Thunders sang, but vinyl makes it possible in the best way I can think of. I believe that the future of the music, will always be a combination of both. Spirit and Matter.

What is your best memory about music? That burning sensation I got while riding on bus, listening to music with headphones, and feeling like I’m bursting from an unstoppable flow of emotions, and so I have to make my own music as well, there’s no other option. But this is a memory that lives in the present and recreates itself all the time :) My favorite memory from the past, is the day that my Dad came into my childhood room of myself and my sister, holding a vinyl of “The Beatles Ballads” in his hands, telling us that we HAVE to listen to this album! This moment changed my life. I was 6.

How is a normal day in the Noa Babayof life?

Getting up either too early or too late, going to work in an Arts Center, Driving too far for a rehearsal,  driving back, singing out loud to keep myself awake on the road, falling asleep to a “A day at the seaside” from the "Scarfolk Music & Audio Library Vol. 1" released in 1973 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aas5egBtGy0)

What do you think about the current economic and social situation in Spain, Europe and in the World in general? Oh, that’s a big question that pains the head and the heart.. Things are tough right now, everywhere.. there’s a great tension in Europe, that I hope won’t escalate, but as it is right now, it’s a fragile situation that must be handled with great deal of thought and restrain. I hope will find our way to move forward with compassion, determination and love and not backwards, to much darker times.

NOA BABAYOF

Friend (2015)

MISCELLANY

Could you tell us about...

... A book?: 

De Profundis by Oscar Wilde

... A movie?: 

Being There (Directed by Hal Ashby)

... A song?:  

Amelia by Joni Mitchell

... An album?: 

Third/ Sister Lovers by Big Star

... A group or soloist?:  

The Beatles (Forever, for always, for certain)

... A hobby?: 

Watching the wheels go round and round (I really love to watch them roll)

Thank you very much. Best wishes from Spain, and congratulations for your music.

Thank you so very much!! Hope to see you in one of the shows! :)