Start with a boom

Photo by Reuben Castro

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The criticism at the beginning that actually strengthened them ("We Wanted to Prove Everybody"), the fatherhood that changed Ben Al ("I grew up, I'm a boy addict") and the shock from the US industry ("You find yourself competing in Bruno March"): After a decade of record after Record, Static and Ben-El don't give up on the American dream

Nir Yahav

After another wonderful professional year, what seems most exciting to Static and Ben-El is the personal and private achievements of each. Static (Liraz Russo) became engaged to his partner Sarit Pollack and is expected to marry her in May, while Ben-El-Tabori became the father of his character Prince just a year ago. Special interview for Walla! Culture with the most successful duo in Israel, Ben Al admits that the birth of his son has changed his life. "It made me very big. In one year I matured more than I didn't in 27 years. Suddenly you are in charge of a little creature. A child is an amazing thing. I am so happy to be a father."

What father are you?

"I'm a good dad. I try to be good. We work hard and there is not much time, so every minute I can I try to squeeze the juice and be with it."

Static, how did the engagement change you professionally and personally?

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"I think the change from a man who goes out with a girl regularly to a man who is engaged is not such a critical change. Well, it added a lot of joy to me, added a big event to look forward to. In the end, I offered her a marriage, there was a ring, there was a celebration, The day after that we get up like the day before. "

The full interview with Static and Ben El:

Static and Ben Al recognized a total of four years ago when they collaborated with producer Jordy (considered the third band in the lineup) in rapper Ron Nesher's "#Dobgle" song. The first song they put together was "Barbie," and from there a haunted song and a record haunted song. Every song broke record hits, managed to capture the radio and YouTube and made the duo the most successful musical composition of the last decade. In 2016, judges joined the "Next Star for the Eurovision Song Contest" on application 12, and in 2018, Israeli-American businessman Haim Saban was signed to recording company Capitol Records and tried their luck overseas. They released an English version of "Todo Boom" with Jay Balvin that didn't bring them the long-awaited break-in, but only forged them and made it clear to them that the US market is a huge, complex and almost impossible market.

"It's just a huge, huge market," says Ben El. Statik nods and agrees: "First of all, there are market segments that do not exist here in Israel. The Latin market, for example. It's crazy that there is such a market. It's other worlds and competition on completely different levels. When you put out a single, you compete there with names like Ariana Grande, Bruno March, Post Malone, these are people that you as if in "Howdy" is competing with them, you both are putting out a single at the same time. It's crazy. "

And you don't give up on this market. What is likely to happen in 2020 for you there?

Static: "First of all, it opens with a very strong single coming out on January 10"
Ben El: "Say by God"
Static: "God willing? But I know he is strong. You can tell God that the single will work."
Ben-El: "No, by the name of God."
Static: "Oh, so without a vow a single will come out on January 10."

Rumors are that the single is with (rapper) Pitbull.

Static: "There are rumors that I am Brazilian. What will we do with the rumors? Anyway, the year starts with a boom and now it has to work hard and make the boom last all year."

At first they said you were a passing phenomenon but you proved to everyone that you are here to stay. Did you also have such concerns at first that this may be a momentary two-year success?

Ben El: "Well, don't think, I don't think there was anything like that. On the contrary, we wanted to prove that we were worth staying here."

Static: "So it actually strengthened us. I think we get to some stage in Static and Ben that you're trying to invent the new. Every single single, we've invented the new one and now you're trying to say to yourself, 'You can be even newer than this, more extreme than that', so "I think it's a constant challenge to stay. What I'm trying to say is that we're always on the rise and improving. From the beginning, both then and today."

"We wanted to prove that we were worth staying here." Static and Ben-El (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Static and Ben-El at the Walla Studio, December 18, 2019 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Let's talk a little about "The Next Star." After Neta's success and Kobe's failure, what year are you looking for?

Ben El: "I don't think we're looking for anything. You come there, you hear, even now I don't know who is most deserving of being in Eurovision."

Static: "Before Netta's season, you would ask me what I was looking for, I wouldn't tell you anything similar to planting. Before Kobe's season, I wouldn't tell you anything like Kobe. I can say that over time, we can also understand what it can do for people's careers Maybe they won't go to Eurovision like Margie, for example. Margie is a huge star, and the next star gave him the first push. He's young, capable and talented. He has everything he needs and the 'next star' is what brought him to consciousness. So we understand that it's a responsibility. In the end we were there and passed it step by step. "

Ben El: "I think what's contemporary, what's our point."

And what really happens when you have a disagreement? If you think you need a blue mouth, and you think you need a red one?

Ben Al: "Flowing. If he really believes in the same challenger, you flow with him."

Static: "Usually it will go to the side of the blue."

"Don't know who deserves to be in Eurovision." Static and Ben-El (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Static and Ben-El at the Walla Studio, December 18, 2019 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

I know you will say there is no such thing, but try to tell me what the disagreements are between you, what you argue or disagree with?

Static: "I think it's mostly studio stuff."
Ben Al: "I don't think there are any more disputes."
Static: "True, but if it happens then it's mostly around something artistic. For example, inside the studio, it should be like this, it shouldn't be that way, this house is yes, this house is not good."

That is to say, such good disagreements, which violate you.

Static: "Always, it wouldn't have survived so long otherwise."
Ben El: "I think because we have been together for so long, we will already be broadcasting on the same wave."

Static, what kind of father is El Al?

"He's an addicted father. Character is like his drug, he needs it all the time. He asks me for things like I'm his mom or his classmate. Hear a real story - he calls me last week and says' Listen, Static, Tuesday there's a studio Is there a situation I'll leave sooner? I asked him 'why?', He tells me 'I'm going to see a character'. I told him 'what am I your mother? Go see the character' but he is like that. That it bothers everyone so he asks for permission, he doesn't understand how normal it is. "

Ben El: "It's not pleasant for me to blow. That's why I announce a week in advance."

When you're abroad you probably miss him.

Ben El: "I'm doing full-time with him. He's dead on it. As soon as he sees me he shouts 'Dad, Dad'."

"Unpleasant to breeze from the studio." Static and Ben-El (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Static and Ben-El at the Walla Studio, December 18, 2019 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

After fulfilling great dreams this year and being selected by several radio stations for the decade, what is your next professional dream?

Static: "First of all, to succeed in the United States. It's a summit, it's like Everest, it's to reach this mountain that so many failed to reach its summit."

Ben Al: "And conquer it."

Statik: "But it also depends on training. We work hard here all the time and it is up to us and the burden that we carry with us in the portfolio."

How will Static and Ben's music sound for another decade?

Ben Al: "Wow. I have no idea what the next single will even sound like."

Static: "It's really true. It jumps so radically from single to single, that you don't know where it will even go.
As we enter the studio, I have no idea what's going to come out. I have no idea. It's really unplanned. Lately I've been talking to a lot of artists and asking them how they write. And then I think what kind of people are considered and calculated. "

Why, how do you write songs?

Static: "Can't tell you, it's just a hit."

Give an example. For example, your latest songs.

"You go into the studio. There is nothing in your head. Nothing. Not a general idea, not a name, not a word, nothing. Then they say 'Let's start working on something like that,' or for example, Jordy asks for some bite. Or try some musical instruments. And it just comes out. "

For the full interview, in which Ben Al makes an imitation of Lior Narcissus - watch above

"It just happens in the studio." Static and Ben-El (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Static and Ben-El at the Walla Studio, December 18, 2019 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Director: Duby Klein, Styles Photography: Reuben Castro, Sound: Ilan Levy, G: Sound: Haim Marco, Photographers: Matan Goldstein, Eyal Klein, Benny Ben David, Lighting: Yossi Addises - Lightwissen, Production: Hagit Barak and Shai Warker, Design Studio: Avichai Baruch, Video Editor: Noa Levy, Producer: Racheli Vardi