The nightly talks with US producers, the special relationship with Noa Kirl and the paparazzi in the recruits • Jonathan Margie sets out to discover America and talks about everything
"I know I will not become Bruno March within a day. I have no such expectation." Margie
Photo:
Tal Abudi
For months, Margie's executives have been keeping the big secret. Hundreds of miles and countless zoom conversations drained for a moment a few weeks ago, when the contract was signed with Israeli-American businessman Haim Saban, in collaboration with the largest US music corporation, Universal.
"Even after everything closed, I wanted to keep it quiet," says 20-year-old Margie. "When people see a huge headline in a newspaper about a singer who has signed a U.S. contract, they have an expectation that tomorrow morning all America will know him and that he will immediately give the blow. , Otherwise it is a big failure. In the real world it doesn't work that way, there are no Cinderella stories. I don't want to make noise about something that didn't happen. When you are successful, I would love to tell you about it. "
Your partner, Noa Kirl, will be communicating her signature in the US very much.
"I don't think there is one formula and one way. Something that can be good to me can be worse for you, and vice versa. I believe in the way I chose, but I don't believe it is the only way."
Get me behind the scenes of the negotiations.
"Yoav and Oron (Yoav Gross and Oron Khalfon, his personal managers; PA) came to me and told me that Haim Saban had heard my materials and thought I had huge potential. I was really excited, it's nice that people love what you do, certainly when it comes to life Saban. Immediately, negotiations began. I have looked into this matter for a long time, both contractually, and in terms of timing. There was a lot of back and forth, until I came to the decision that I strongly believe in Label that he built and their collaborations, and I went for it. "
Were there concerns?
"There was no question whether I wanted it or not. Even before I was successful in Israel, I knew all along that my ambition in music was to reach as many people as possible in the world, and the United States is the best way to fulfill it. There was only the question of timing.
"When we got to the moment when it turned into something practical, it was stressful. There are so many artists in the US market, and you ask yourself what's special about you, and if this label knows how to take what's best for me and make me express myself best and promote it This was in the midst of all the tough competition, I knew I needed people I trust, because it doesn't happen right now.
"I am starting a road right now. I know I will not become Bruno March within a day, I have no such expectation. At the moment there are me and thousands more like me in the world, who do not care about anyone. That's the big challenge."
So how do you stand out from the others anyway?
"I also get the question, what, in America no longer Margie? But I answer myself, sure there is. And in order to spark, I have to find this special thing that there is not in others. I have to put out a song and another song and another song, just for people to start paying attention to me , To see that there is someone here with potential, but I believe that in the end, I will succeed.
"Before signing, I had a lot of conversations with the representatives of Haim Saban and the record company about my music. In addition to being a good singer, I sent them a lot of songs I recorded, songs I wrote and graves, because they wanted to see that I was a musician with abilities, and even if I was recording Kaver, I'll bring my style and character into it.
"The reason I want to succeed in America is not the fact that Sean Mendes and Justin Bieber are successful there. My goal is to reach as many audiences as possible. I want my music to reach as many people as possible, and through America it will be distributed to more countries in the world."
Did you send people in the US the songs you put out here?
"I had a lot of ready stuff I recorded, from an early age I sit at home and record songs and tombs. So every time they asked me to send them stuff, I had something to send them."
Songs released here will also be released in the US, in English?
"No, I less believe it. If I ever wrote a song in Hebrew, and no matter how successful it is, I won't record it in English now. I want to write a new album in English, from the beginning."
So how do you work in the meantime?
"I'm constantly recording new material in English at my dad's house in Tel Aviv, and sending it to them. If we have to do sessions with American producers, we do it zoom in, to get to know each other as much as possible. Trying to produce the musical language that suits me, until Let's decide to get things out.
"We were supposed to fly to the US two months ago, but we had to put off until the flights resumed. We are already working all the time. Once I finish the interview with you, I have a zooming conversation with the people there.
"There is a very open dialogue between us. As in Israel, I am involved in everything that I do, also where I am attracted to it.
Already have a date for the first song?
"Contractually has dates and there is a work plan, but we won't put anything out until we feel completely confident about it."
Do you see success in the US as you have experienced in the country?
"I don't see myself doing well, because if I don't, I keep trying until it happens. I have no choice. I know that if I didn't make music, it would have been a huge feeling. I have no other choice. And if it's my dream, I won't I'll stop trying, even if it will be awkward the number of times I try. "
How will all this affect your career here?
"My career in the country will continue, and I will continue to record and perform. It all depends, of course, on the intensity and level of success of things. But the ambition is to continue as usual, because I have a large fan base here that I love and appreciate. For a period, I will pack a suitcase and move. "
When you posted you were quick to compare you to every possible Justin. So who is your inspiration?
"It's hard for me to vote for one. From Justin Timberlake I took the effort. Someone else has the frills. I grew up with so many artists. Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber. To me, and everyone together made me what I am today. "
When you close your eyes, what do you see?
"I see myself performing on the biggest stages, with a lot of audience, and knowing that my music inspires a lot of people in the world. When I see artists with a huge impact, I like to see how they instill language and style that weren't before. That instilled something that was not, and today is the most relevant thing in the world, net because of it. I wish myself one-eighth of its success and impact. "
how is your English?
"Very good, and improved very recently. English poetry comes easily to me, and in a much more natural way. In any case, I believe that people are very connected to the charm of the person and what he brings with him."
So can I switch to interviewing in English?
"If you're comfortable, I'm streaming."
***
Margie is the oldest son of Paddy (52), a branding and visual communication specialist, lecturer and exhibitor at world shows, and also involved in the management of his son's career. His mother is singer Meital Treblassi (48). His younger brother, Elad (17), a high school student, and also has a 10-month-old sister, Eli, from his father's second marriage ("The age gap between us is a bit strange, but my brother and I really wanted a sister"). He lives on and off with his mother in Judea and his father in Tel Aviv.
His meteoric leap did not happen by accident. It has everything: talent, looks, ambition, intelligence and quality of star. He is what is known in the multi-talented industry: also singing, also creating, also dancing, also acting.
Public consciousness broke out in season five of "The Next Star," which he finished second, but it was clear to everyone that this talent was not going to go away. Since then, every song he released on the radio ("This Couple," "Give Me A Moment," "Infected Speech") has become a hit, and he has accumulated tens of millions of views. To date, he has been able to star in two pastigles, the last two years, and become Castro's presenter.
In private life, he is Noah Kirl's partner, talented in and of herself, who also received an international contract. Oh, and he's also a soldier in the IDF.
"I travel to a lot of bases in Israel and perform. Yesterday I was in Safed, and a few days earlier in prison 6. I have a schedule that is constantly updated and updated, at bases all over the country. I really enjoy it. Sing my songs, and in fact it's like inviting my performance to a workers' committee "Only here it is at the base, in front of soldiers. There are larger bases and smaller bases, where the atmosphere is intimate and I just stand in front of the soldiers, because there is no option to build a big stage, and Neto pleases them."
The conditions in this kind of performances are not the same as those you are used to. Are you comfortable?
"At first it was very strange to me. I wasn't sure about the show, and I hoped it would go well. It's not a civilian crowd who came to my show with free will and bought tickets. It's a crowd that has to accept me, and sometimes by surprise. But I'm always surprised at how much I manage to pick up Them and make them dance. I really enjoy seeing shows that start off calm and end with a 180 degree change. "
Rosting do you do?
"I did rookies, but now I mostly show up. My show schedule is full."
How was the rookie?
"A complex experience, for a number of reasons. At my request, I was not in a separate room but with 15 people. I was hoping to get the best out of the recruits and come out with good memories. The beginning was a little difficult, because beyond the usual difficulty of the recruits, I had to deal with more things and less matter-of-fact requests , Like videos and pictures.
"I don't judge anyone who asked for me, but in the novice situation it was weird. There were a lot of companies and departments, and I was thrown out with all kinds of comments. They recognized me from the base, and there is nowhere to run. It's not that I was in the mall and I could go home. Where I am for a month, and I have to act accordingly, I didn't want to stand out, and it was hard.
"At that time, I came to appear as a guest in the finale of 'The Next Star', and after rehearsals I fell and broke my hand. Ask me if I want to give up the show, but I did not agree, and I think nobody knows until today that I performed with a broken hand.
"Then I checked, and missed the fracture because he was in the joint. In the middle of the recruits, the pain was already unbearable, and even then I did not rush to the doctor to avoid talk and headlines. Not to say that after checking in, I went to the gym. That's why I preferred to do everything right and sleep with everyone and continue the recruiting.
"When the pain was already unbearable, the doctor immediately sent me to a hospital. I went back to casting with a cast. It didn't stop me from doing 7/7 at ranges."
At least showering alone?
"Yes, the commanders offered me, and I would shower a little later than the others."
***
I remember getting your pictures from the recruits. Did you feel you were being photographed?
"Obviously, and that's where it really scared me. I think since I got published I never refused to selfie unless I was right in the middle of food. The recruits would put a camera in my face without even talking to me, and a few minutes later I saw the pictures in the media. Basic disrespect. "
Are you trying to secretly take pictures?
"I will tell you even if someone takes a picture of me with my back to it. I will know if you just hold the phone or cameras, picture or video."
Did you learn to live with it, or can it still bother you?
"The feeling is that you live with paparazzi for 24 hours. Today everyone is paparazzi. But you have to let go of that thought. I don't want this feeling or these noises to dictate my life, but rather I dictate my life."
There was a lot of noise in the media surrounding your recruitment and your famous friends. What did you think of that?
"I don't see it as a negative thing. If we really wanted to, we could do messes and find the way to not enlist. But it's not something that went through my mind. I and others serve as an example that can combine things, service and career. If I'm the best Making music, why don't I do it in the military, too? "
Have you had trials in the military?
"One, after I accidentally came in with an earring. I went to trial and told them I was very angry with myself, because there are people for whom I am a role model and look at me and it is wrong that I did not download it, but I really forgot. I said that I, more than other soldiers, should put Pay attention to my modeling. "
Convinced?
"It ends with a reprimand. Since everything is normal and well-modeled."
***
In September 2018, the network exploded as Margie and Kirl emerged from the closet as a couple who had been secretly dating for two years. Two very beautiful and true superstars, who fell in love with Festigal's 2016 backstage. Now it turns out that the first encounter was much earlier.
"I'll tell you something we recently discovered and never told. One day, Noa and I are sitting at home watching old videos, and she tells me, 'You don't believe what I saw now.' And then she shows me a conference video in 2014 in Eilat, we were both anonymous And we didn't even know, and when she does selfie with her friends, I push her into the picture, "he smiles.
karma.
"I am not a big believer in mysticism, but feel we should have met sometime. We met there and nothing happened to it, and now the universe has brought us together again. This is most amazing. In the end we met in a production that cast us from two different places to one place. Similar. "
The fact that the two of you in the same profession, with a very similar career, help you or make it difficult for you?
"We travel on parallel roads, which makes it easier for us. I think it would be much harder if we both did the same thing without agreeing on things. Noa and I are very balanced and very much in sharing each other. It's more comfortable and very close to us. When you experience something "Together, it is much more powerful than if only one has experienced. Noah and I have many similar things, but there are also different things, and we feed each other these things."
Give me an example.
"For example, I am an extreme perfectionist, and if something is not exactly the way I want it, it bothers me with a stomach ache. Noa is like that too, and here we are. But she, unlike me, also knows when to release. So it's something I can take from her".
And what does she take from you?
"I give her a place of home and make things drama-less. We have a lot of serious conversations that put in proportion."
On the face of it you are a perfect couple, and outwardly also very stable. Where are your crises anyway?
"If I were to ask you where your crises in relationships are, you wouldn't know to tell me, because it always happens where you don't expect it. If we knew, we would have prevented it in advance. I can say that I'm very proud of the way we deal with the crises we have "If anything happens, we know how to say, Okay, we're in crisis, let's talk about it. Talk and solve it. We have so many worries and dramas in life that in our relationships we prefer to run away from this place. But like any couple, there are crises as well."
Have you ever broken up?
"Never. Even if there is a crisis, we do not break away."
Didn't you happen to talk for two days?
"There is no situation, there was no such thing. There may be angry and tense speech, but we did not happen to not speak. This is not our style."
No way you're going to fight, and because of anger you get a stalemate from her?
"I used to break into Instagram, delete all our pictures together and download a follower. It's not something I've done."
***
Margie and Kirl are the Power Capels of the industry, and each one does very well for each other's stock. Together, they have almost a million and a half followers on Instagram and hundreds of fan pages. They are regular and desirable guests in every gossip section, almost every moment of theirs is documented, every move becomes a headline, every day without a shared image sparking web rumors. And make sure they don't receive welcome calls from the bank.
"I try to take away from the noise that there is around us and each other only the love and appreciation," he says. "All around it is a game, that I can play and manipulate in it. But the only people who really know me and who really love me are the ones who care about me, Want to please them and listen to them. "
Who is on this list?
"My parents, my spouse, my brothers and my friends."
After two years together, isn't it time to move in together?
"Until you asked me this question, I didn't think about it. It's very convenient for me to live with my mother in Judah and my father in Tel Aviv, because this is my only time to see them. Noa is the biggest monster in the country, but she is the girl's house. She lives with her parents in Ra'anana, and I really love her family.
"We are very connected and a lot together anyway. I don't see a reason why we will move in together, but there is no reason why not."
How do you manage to live when every moment of your life is documented?
"We go through with this thing. Over time, Elephant's skin grows. I'm 20 and she's 19, and I feel that our mental age is higher, because we've both experienced a lot more than most people our age, and maybe even twice our own. I'm not an asshole "I am aware of what we produce, but I do not feel that I am special and I do not expect special treatment. I know that I can inspire my music and make an impact, and everything else is a side effect."
Do you play one of your two new songs?
"Of course, always. At the end of the day, when we come home after recordings of songs, I play it and it plays to me. We're very real with each other."
Can you tell her, "Listen, this is a bad song," and vice versa?
"Sure. I can say, 'I don't like this song,' and she can tell me she didn't connect. Obviously, it makes a difference, because the opinion of the other is important to us."
This relationship will soon also be the first of its kind. Recently, the two have recorded a new song, which will probably be out soon, and be sure to hear it again. "We both love to write and sing, and we are kind of asked to do something together. We also sing together at home.
"We worked on this song and recorded it, but there are still a lot of decisions that need to be made. In this case, too, the title came out when we were trying out a song as we tried things. I enjoyed doing something with her in the studio, and here and there are decisions by both teams and a million and one factors. We'll take it out, because I really like it. "
***
Margie is now filming, for the first time in a career, a lead role in a musical series called "Pps" (personal pop star), created for him by Uri Gross and Yoav Tsafir. When you start talking about the series, he immediately pulls out a huge binder from the bag, with a lot of texts he memorizes.
"I'm super excited about it," he says. "I'm not playing Jonathan Margie, but a robot, and my spouse is a loyal riff. The series also features Hannah Leslow, Guy Zaharz and Anya Bokstein. I study acting with Eran Pesach, acting teacher , Who is my mentor. "
Is that why the muscles have grown?
"Because I play a robot, I had to be built. But I also like it for myself. I don't practice every day, but it is fun to wake up before everyone and have enough before the day starts. It gives good energy."
Have you considered whether to go on the job?
"Obviously, I didn't know if I wanted to go into such a big and serious project right now, and we were already talking about being a perfectionist plus. I met with Yoav and Uri and did some sketches, until we got to the story we were all connected to.
"I research the character and come to every scene very prepared, I know how I'm supposed to play it. On the other hand, I don't look at it as something stressful, but as a difficult challenge. When you see a player who plays well, you don't even think about him in the role Because he puts you in the character. To get to that situation requires a lot of hard work, and that's what I'm going through right now. I do a lot of things in music and entertainment, but a lead role in the series, it's new and exciting. "
You get quite a few offers. How do you choose jobs?
"I have to make some connection to the proposal, because there is no chance I will do something in a fake way. There were jobs I did not feel 100 percent happy with, and I am still glad I did. But there were also proposals for campaigns with a lot of money, which I felt that if I took them, it was at a level that could hurt me mentally. When I get an offer, I check to see if I'm connected, where it gets me in my career, and there's economic consideration too. "
Do things that don't interest you, if there's a lot of money on their side?
"That question brings me back to school. I graduated with a very high grade, even though I was a student like that in school, because most of the classes didn't interest me and I was bad. If anything interests me, I'll be crazy about it. It's true that my foundation is music, But there are many other things that interest me, such as dance and fashion. "
Do you see yourself designing a clothing collection?
"Totally, fashion is an integral part of me, and it goes through my head every day that I stand in front of the closet."
During the Corona Castro, they announced that they were separate from the presenters, and your managers threatened to sue. Where is it at the moment?
"We understood the situation and the situation. We decided to come towards them, and we move on together."
If there is a Festigel this year, you won't be there.
"I really like the people there and the production, but I did one, and another, and I feel like a third Festigal will sin for a purpose. I prefer to focus on music or other things that interest me."
How did you get through the Corona period?
"It was the longest weekend of my life. The benefits are that I had a lot of time to be home, to create, to make calls, to clear my head, to think about things. The disadvantages are that you cannot continue to work, meet with friends or show up."
Many cancellations canceled?
"Purim performances, Passover, Independence Day and Summer. A lot of experiences and lots of money. My money is marginal in this story compared to my friends who come with me, like the dancers. I feel super responsible for them, and it sucks me because I know they can't make a living at all. A lot of people whose livelihoods have been arrested and lost a lot. That's the biggest downside for me. "
Are you involved in managing your finances?
"Yes, although it is less interesting to me. I do want to know that everything works properly, but money never was and will not motivate me. If I had the opportunity to make a lot of money from the profession and I would not enjoy it, we would not be sitting here now." .
erans@israelhayom.co.il