Aqua, the melodic and satirical bubblegum pop group, who burst into our lives in the mid-90s with the hit "Barbie Girl", arrived in Israel as part of the "We Are the 90's" festival that took place last night (Thursday) at the Expo complex in Tel Aviv.
The festival, dedicated entirely to prominent artists who dominated the charts in those years, was created in a nostalgic spirit, which aims to celebrate the decade that brought us many "one hit wonders" that have remained with us, the millennials, to this day.
But aqua are a different animal.
Their multi-year career did not start and end with one single hit, and they were always considered a playful punk group that decided to dress up as a Euro dance band armed with anthems characterized by sarcastic, satirical and critical texts - and as such, they arrived as the main and most anticipated act for which we and the audience gathered.
Aqua in an interview, photo: Eran Levy
Soren Rasted, the vocalist Rene Diff and the vocalist Lina Nystrom, came to us in full swing, and it doesn't seem that the time that has passed since 1997 has touched them except for a few wrinkles of wisdom.
They dressed as they used to do from time immemorial: with pomp full of chic and wink, and equipped themselves with a lot of silly spirit, which has always characterized them.
In an interview with Israel Hayom, which they gave behind the scenes just 5 minutes before they went on stage, we made sure to catch them for a few quick questions about their stay in Israel, about the iconic musical decade that transcends audiences, and about the weather - that in countries like Denmark and Norway, the countries of origin of the band members, remains Kind of like a wet dream (and mostly frozen, in their case).
"I love Old Jaffa", it was important for Nystrom to point out even before we had time to ask them the first question.
"It is amazing and so beautiful, especially the area that is in front of the sea. I would absolutely like to live there," she declared with great enthusiasm.
"I love Old Jaffa, and I would like to live there."
Nystrom (in the middle) with her Aqua bandmates, photo: Eran Levy
"Today we were at the Western Wall, and it was an amazing experience," shared Rene Diff about the one-time Israeli experience, befitting the best tourists who almost risk Jerusalem syndrome, even if religion is not their cup of tea.
You have been an active band for many decades, even creating new material to this day. Some of your new songs also manage to reach the general public who love them. Aren't you tired sometimes, then, that you are often defined as a "nineties band"?
Nystrom:
"I don't think we attach that much importance to it. We have achieved so much since we broke out in the 90s. We are one of the only bands that are still active and performing all over the world among all the artists of our genre."
Diff:
"And we're also the best at it" (laughs).
Nystrom:
"And it's not that you can change it either, you know. Because it's a fact. It's true, we broke through in these years, and we're proud of it. Maybe when you come to our shows and see us on stage, you realize that we're a little more than that. You can't argue with those who categorize us as a '90s band', but we're proud of it anyway. Those were great years in music."
Rusted:
"We're proud to be a part of the 90s. Even if we're still recording new songs, we don't expect them to do the same way our big hits from the first two albums did. Even when they do have some success, we don't take it for granted ".
Bat Yam - Copenhagen
Quite surprisingly and not at all expected, it turns out that they also find some points of contact with the Israeli people.
"I think Israelis and Scandinavians have a few things in common. Something in humor and cynicism," says Rasted, who made us raise an eyebrow with skepticism mixed with wonder.
"It seems to me that, on the whole, Israelis take everything easy, and so do we in Scandinavia."
Nystrom:
"The truth is that I think you take things even more easily here than we do, and I envy that. Maybe because people here have fun in the sun."
You mean, unlike the Scandinavian countries, which how to say, less sunny to say the least.
"Yes, absolutely! Give us your weather!", the three members of the band shouted in chorus.
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