As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in virtual worlds, I can only imagine the stark contrast between the fictional realms I inhabit and the harsh reality that the members of as1one are facing. The news about their homeland invaded just days after they arrived in Los Angeles to pursue their dreams is heartbreaking, to say the least.
On October 6, 2023, the six founding members of the pioneering Israeli-Palestinian band As1one (styled as as1one) touched down in Los Angeles, much like countless other groups before them: brimming with anticipation, determination, and a shared passion for breaking into the world of music.
Within hours of landing, reality set in — their homeland had been invaded.
On October 7th morning, Hamas militants infiltrated the border between Israel and Gaza, catching nearby villages and Nova Music Festival attendees off guard with an unexpected assault. This tragic event led to the loss of 1,195 lives, many of whom were Israeli and foreign nationals, as well as the abduction of 251 individuals. In response, Israel declared war, escalating military operations and counterattacking. The conflict still lingers unresolved today, with nearly 100 hostages still in captivity.
Just as they were getting comfortable in their new Hollywood Hills rental, preparing to work on new material with renowned songwriters like Justin Tranter, Stephen Kirk, and Jenna Andrews (known for BTS’ “Butter”), and having recently recorded their debut single “All Eyes on Us” with Nile Rodgers at the iconic Abbey Road studios in London – the group found themselves bombarded with calls and messages from back home.
Neta Rozenblat, who grew up in California and New Jersey, wonders how we can produce music amidst all the chaos and personal struggles. She recalls that they arrived with high expectations, only for October 7 to occur, a day that brought loss of friends and heartbreak as they witnessed conflicts in Gaza and Israel,” is one way to paraphrase the original statement in a natural and easy-to-read manner.
Rozenblat, much like other Israelis, is acquainted with someone who knows someone who experienced the attack firsthand. As we were creating our song “Stop the World,” I happened to check my phone and saw that one of my friends had been killed at the Nova festival. This left me having to perform a recording session immediately after. As such, those feelings were channeled straight into the song. It serves as an outlet for us, allowing us to express ourselves genuinely, which is its intended purpose.
According to Niv Lin, “Two days after we arrived here, Neta and I tragically lost some extremely dear friends. The whole situation felt incredibly overpowering.” He continued, “But it was music that helped us heal – the act of singing together and creating music.
As a dedicated fan, I resonate deeply with Sadik Dogosh’s words: “If we let go of our hopes and beliefs, what else is left? These are our lifelines in times of struggle. We must persist in living, even when the journey seems impossible. Through music, we can offer something to others, whether they fully comprehend our intentions or not. They’ll sense the lyrics, the melodies, the diverse tones and cultures we infuse into our work. This is our beacon of change.
One as One represents the outcome of a two-year quest to discover promising young Israeli and Palestinian male musicians, led by seasoned music industry figures James Diener and Ken Levitan, who are known for creating acts like Maroon 5 and Kings Of Leon. Their aim is to transcend politics through music by establishing a harmonious pop group that bridges cultural divides.
The significant undertaking has been transformed into a four-part documentary series titled “As1one: The Israeli-Palestinian Pop Music Journey” which is now available on Paramount+. In the initial episode, we delve into the selection process and bootcamp that unfolded in Neve Shalom, a bi-national village known as ‘Oasis of Peace’ in Hebrew, situated centrally in Israel since 1969. This community is renowned for its residents who are both Israeli and Arab living together harmoniously. During this early stage, Mira Awad, a Palestinian-Israeli musician and activist, served as one of the creative advisors. Notably, she represented Israel at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest alongside Israeli singer Achinoam Nini, performing their duet “There Must Be Another Way” in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.
Aseel Farah explains, “I had some concerns, questioning the team about our purpose, identity, and mission: Are we an Israeli band or a Palestinian band? Mira Awad responded by saying that ultimately, it’s up to us to decide what we want to express, symbolize, and perform. It was then that I realized the true significance lies in the moments when the six of us gather, look each other in the eyes, share our feelings, and determine our representation. Here we are, focusing on music first. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we are all humans striving for communication, coexistence, a better future, and creating music.
It’s not surprising that music acts face criticism when scheduling a tour stop in Israel. Despite calls for boycott, the vibrant concert scene has persisted, even before the war, with acts like Imagine Dragons, One Republic, and Jennifer Lopez performing in Tel Aviv at the start of the decade. In fact, Bruno Mars was set to perform in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Nadav Philips expresses that it’s distressing for him to witness many individuals choosing not to visit Israel or Palestine, as he recognizes the impact of such decisions. He adds, “We eagerly await the opportunity to perform anywhere, and our performances are aimed at people, not political entities. Music is our honest expression, a universal language that connects us all. We aspire for everyone, regardless of their beliefs, to appreciate our music. This is something we deeply care about promoting.
The musicians draw inspiration from a variety of sources, such as R&B, folk-pop, reggae, and the music of Bedouin Shepherds.
Ohad Attia stated, “What sets us apart is that if you ask what makes our music unique, you’ll get six distinct replies. Each person brings their own color and tone, and that diversity is what makes us special.” People often believe that Israelis and Palestinians cannot coexist. However, we are proof that it can be done. We may have differing viewpoints, but we engage in open dialogue. As long as we respect each other’s opinions, it fosters understanding rather than conflict. While we don’t claim to solve global conflicts, our hope is that by sharing our experiences, we might change a few minds for the better.
And, what’s the dream?
Rozenblat declares his ambition to become the most prominent pop group globally,” he says, “We are Israelis and Palestinians, embodying something greater than ourselves as individuals. Our selfless goal is to symbolize a future that’s within our grasp. People form opinions based on the news they watch and often take sides without realizing there are real people behind these headlines and videos. They rally in protests. For us, it’s about our families, friends, and personal experiences. It’s crucial for us to remind everyone of humanity.
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2024-12-05 09:25