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"I invested a lot of energy in writing songs but neglected to advance my career"

No longer believe in relationships ("This concept does not work"), admits to neglecting parties in show business ("I did not deal with the careerist side") and talks about Mi-To ("Lines I wrote would not be well received today"): Eric Berman publishes "Intoxication of Power" ", A song in which he plays Bibi when he leaves Balfour.

Interview

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• Eric Berman

• Benjamin Netanyahu

• Miri Mesika

Sagi Ben Nun

Sunday, 27 June 2021, 00:00 Updated: 12:46

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Arik Berman in the clip for his song "Intoxication of Power" (Photography and direction: Mia Ella)

Bibi is gone, Eric is back: Four years and four months after releasing his latest album, "Love and Other Gods", musician Eric Berman is coming back today (Sunday) with a new song, "Intoxication of Power", which accompanies a clip describing Netanyahu's removal from power. The song will not be released on the radio ("I do not think it's a suitable radio"), and is defined by Berman as a "bonus track" ahead of another single that will be released in two weeks.

Berman wrote the song a few months ago in general about himself and his feelings of power intoxication, but in the clip he decided to attribute the intoxication of power to the former prime minister, played by Berman in a situation he soon foresaw in reality - coming from the place he became a symbol of his rule. The clip, which was produced and directed by Mia Ella and premieres here (above), shows the boxes being loaded with objects and "souvenirs" such as CDs from the Iranian nuclear project, a red phone for special operations and the "Israel Today" newspaper. The one who manages the Netanyahu couple's transition in the clip is none other than businessman Roni Mana, who was previously a close friend of the Netanyahu family until he became their bitter enemy.

Berman wrote the song while sitting at home like all the artists during the Corona Crisis.

"We are in a state of post-trauma, we have gone through a very difficult period politically and socially," he says in an interview with Walla!

culture.

"Everyone who has watched TV in the last two years has realized that we are in chaos and a wounded country. I want to think we are at the dawn of a new era, that there is something more optimistic, and that society can be reunited. I watched what happened in the country and saw a lot of intoxication. That it could happen to me too, I never felt like I was in a position of power or influence and I did not feel I could exploit people or use them for my own needs. Then there was a moment when I suddenly realized that I too was intoxicated, and that surprised me. I also have a lot of compassion for these people I saw on TV. "

Now he's back.

Eric Berman (Photo: Daniel Jacont and Moore Pozniak)

Where has Netanyahu's intoxication turned from his problem to the problem of us all?

"I think it was reflected in the many election campaigns. I do not know what will be in the end with all the affair, indictments, submarines and stocks. Now he has also shredded things seemingly. I think after so many years in office Bibi had a hard time imagining he would not be prime minister again, And he will not remain in a position where he decides things about an entire country. "

Most of the people believe that the transport trucks arrive to evacuate Balfour too late.

"Of course those who oppose the government think they should have done it first. Those on the other side could not have thought otherwise. Yesterday I spoke to a friend, who actually opposes Bibi, who saw his speech on the day of the government's inauguration, and he said to me - 'Yo what would I do without him?' After 12 years you are already practicing and do not know how to imagine a different reality than the one in which the Prime Minister is the father of us all, for better or worse.So you love Dad, you trust him, follow him in fire and water, and it is hard to imagine a different reality than the one we live in. "Only for governments but also for our relationships and our profession. We are very committed to a certain reality and the stories we live by. And if you want to make a change in every parameter, it takes a lot of courage and you need to know how to imagine beyond what is there right now."

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Arik Berman while filming the new clip (Photo: Satyo Barkai)

The clip looks sarcastic and critical of Bibi. You embody him as someone who clings to his chair and has a hard time letting go; In the background words that speak of a man with an intoxication of power, who rose to him, who lost it, as you put it; And stars his great enemy, Roni Mana. How does this reconcile with your claim that the clip is "not defiant" against him?

"I make it clear that the song was written about me and not about Bibi. In the clip we thought it might be interesting, at this time, to present the idea through the character of the former prime minister. But in the clip there is nothing angry and kicking. It's really smiling, And as for Roni, we were looking for someone who would fit in as the transition manager, someone who has been associated with the struggle with Bibi over the years, and Roni was a classic at it. I was very happy that he agreed. "Come on, let them go Kibinimt." I really would like the discourse to change, and that even those who are happy about the change of government - it is our responsibility now it is less to get excited, less to rejoice and remind everyone that we are one country and one. "

Transport truck and souvenirs from Balfour: the disks from the nuclear project, a red telephone and the Israel Today newspaper.

Arik Berman in the clip for his song "Intoxication of Power", created following Netanyahu's departure from the post of Prime Minister (Photo: screenshot, filmed and directed by: Mia Ella)

Are you afraid of the bibists' reactions to the clip?

"I hope they don't physically attack me. On the networks, I guess people will write things. I haven't read talkbacks in many years. So whatever happens. I want again, through this interview, to reach out more for peace. I do not want to defy or rejoice in Id. "The whole country needs recovery, and evidence - the new government that has been formed is not just the left, not just the right and not just the center. There is everything there, and that is the right way right now. The state cannot afford to quarrel within it. I suppose the ultra-Orthodox will join at some point."

Have you been to demonstrations in Balfour?

"No. I was at the first artists' demonstration in Corona outside the Knesset. Then I really followed the news and reinforced this protest from a distance but did not actively participate in it. I always felt some deja vu because I took a very active part in the tent protest. "The same feeling of mobilization and change. And then when it came to an end and there were no results, I was heartbroken. And now that it has happened again, I felt that now it was the turn of the next generation, I had already donated."

Next generation turn.

Arik Berman (Photo: Stav Barkai)

You are a very talented artist but there are those who will see in the new clip a gimmick, as well as in the clip you released last year for the song "The Nothing" in which Lehi Griner and Oren Hazan participate.

"Maybe people said about the 'nothing' clip that it's a gimmick, but it did not reach me. Everything they say is okay. I'm less concerned about it. These are the right things for their time, both the 'nothing' clip and the new clip. The word gimmick has a kind of connotation "Negative but you can use other words. You can say it's a nice trick, you can say it's funny. That's the thing, you create things, take them out into the world, and everyone will have something to say."

Where did you feel the intoxication of power in your private or professional life?

"There was intoxication in places like careers, relationships, family, friends, money. All sorts of things you've accumulated over the years and now you can be drunk on them and panic lest you lose them."

Four years after your last album, now you're back.

What were your actions at that time?

You only made a living from music?

"I was lucky in life and I only live from music. The last album came out after I lived in New York for three years, then I came back to the country, found an apartment, furnished it, went back to friends and met new friends. And I wrote. I wrote a lot of songs exploring relationships and love. I always did it "But now I go into it more in depth."

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Relationship researcher.

Arik Berman (Photo: Aviv Lusky)

Do you have a partner these days?

"No. I don't believe in this concept anymore, both from my experiences and from looking around me - it seems to me something like something that already works less."

And what does work for you? Polygamy? Polyamory?

"I think all these words, both monogamy and polygamy and all that, are words that narrow down the possibilities. I think the more words we define that way the better for us."

This summer marks 15 years since Berman's first single, 'What More Did You Ask for', which was a huge success, from his debut album. The album, which was released a few months later and produced by Moshe Levy, was a huge success and about half of the songs (six) entered the Galgalatz playlist. However, some of the lyrics were controversial because of his attitude towards women. Thus, for example, the song "The Last Sweets" (which included lines such as "There was one with a crazy ass" and "Everything stands and sways and cheers me in my underwear") was disqualified for broadcast on the C networkClaiming to be rude and chauvinistic.

"Look, a lot has changed since then," Berman says of his beginnings.

"I remember when it came out there were of course some who cheered, and the radio played a lot. And there were a lot of people who objected and didn't like it. I got both sides. I think a lot has changed since then. It was even before Mi Tu. I'm not sure how it would have been received today. I think "It might not have been well received today."

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Arik Berman and Miri Mesika (Photo: Shuka Cohen)

A line like "Everyone else must have made you stand in some club in Prague," which appears on your debut single celebrating 15 "What More Have You Asked for," is that something you regret? Would you write like that today?

"I'm not part of the wave of the me-to. I respect it, I learn from it how to behave, it's good that women have a voice and that they speak their feelings. But I prefer the humorous approach to life. The whole thing is that everything is serious and full of prohibitions and formatting. Man by certain patterns of behavior - we do it all anyway. I like to look at life in a more humorous way, and even when the line in this song is sung it should mostly bring a smile and not diminish anyone. I do not think it's a harder line than the line 'Amen stay. "Forever" written and sung by Eviatar Banai. These are lines written out of some pain. From the emotional distress of a relationship. Everything should be taken easily and with a more smile, it will help everyone. "

Legend has it that the woman on whom this line was written did not take it with a smile at all.

"Yeah, right. Listen, I do not know what to tell you, we are not in touch. We were not so in touch even then, I just sent it to her to hear it from me first. I always thought the compliment in that someone cared so much. "From you, who loves you so much and hurts so much the parting to the point of writing such a song, it is greater than the burning of one sentence or another."

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To the full article

The rare success of your debut album, something of this enormous magnitude you want and think you can recreate?

"I do not know if it is possible, and I do not know if I need to. Sometimes I have enough in line, when I do a show anyway it is difficult for me to choose which songs to perform. The audience is always disappointed that I did not perform this or that song. To do something else that resonates in people's hearts? Yes. It's something I want today, to put out music. In the last two or three albums I've released, I've been preoccupied with things that are between me, and not necessarily preoccupied with how they will be received. ".

In November 2017, Eran Suissa reports in the gossip section of "Israel Today": "Monday morning, Arik Berman and Guy Pines are so engrossed in cycling in Tel Aviv that they do not notice that they are passing each other." This is of course a chance, marginal and unimportant moment, but one wonders if there might be something symbolic in this moment. If Pines symbolizes glory, then you and the glory have passed without noticing each other. Is it your choice?

"I'm definitely not a Paul Gas in the celebrity game. I made some choice, I do not even know if she's smart. After the success of the first album, I felt I was given the opportunity to go as far as I could with music and art, and explore my limits as a creator. For show business, I mainly focused on writing, from the moment I get up until I go to bed. It's a great gift. And I may not have paid enough attention to the other aspects of show business, like launches, mingling, going to events, seeing and showing. Fit my personality structure.If you want to be an artist you really do not have to do these things, but if you want to be in show business then it has other aspects unrelated to art and writing.I need to see how much I can participate in this game and still be authentic For myself. "

Arik Berman in 2006, shortly before the release of his debut album (Photo: Sharon Deri)

"I have to say," Berman adds, "that when I got into this field the things I was required to do that were unrelated to music were few. I mean, you put out an album once every three years, perform, interview here and there. Where it came from today I could not imagine, and I talk about Instagram and social networks. If you used to hide from the paparazzi, today you have to be your own paparazzi. It suited me very well in the past to be mysterious and distant, these were once the rules of the game. Everything has changed, and today the rules of the game are to look as fast as possible. ".

Miri Mesika, who wrote her hits and also sang with her, told me in an interview with Walla in 2017: "Reality is a repulsive thing." Which has not prevented her for the past 11 years from joining no less than six musical reality shows. Would you like to do a reality show like your friends Mesika and Peles?

"Even if you ask her now about reality she will say it. It's not that she changed her mind. She will probably say it's a repulsive thing but I do it. I do not share that statement of hers, that reality is a repulsive thing. I do not see anything inferior. Being a reality judge. "

Did you keep in touch with your grenade gang friends?

"Yes. Not a close relationship but we correspond occasionally, and also meet occasionally. It is less possible because everyone has become very busy and also because of the family situation."

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Do not believe in relationships.

Arik Berman (Photo: Dean Avishar)

Where in your life did you feel anxious?

"I'm 41 now. Around the age of 40 I suddenly experienced this crisis being talked about. I went through a process that also included some kind of anxiety, which I had not experienced before. What is interesting about anxiety, versus fear, is that it does not depend on anything objective in reality. There's nothing that can necessarily be linked to it. But you're trying with the rational mind to figure out what's going on, and one of the things that came out of this study is intoxication. I said to myself that what I'm experiencing right now is some kind of fear of heights. This phrase, fear of heights, also appears In the new song.because suddenly you, at the height of your age, are in some socio-economic status and with things you have reached in your career, after so and so years, and you are now looking at the environment and can panic, and ask yourself - wait, what happens if the things I love and became attached to are taken from me?"

I will never regret asking the question: What do you regret?

"Regret is not something I do in general. I love my way as is as it happens. I was very lucky and I love the way I did. But there are a lot of things I would do differently today, because time passes and you change. In the context of show business I'm a singer-songwriter, I put a lot of energy into creating the songs. I neglected the part of being a singer. I'm not talking about going for sound development and being a better singer. I'm talking about singing as a profession - getting up in the morning as a singer, promoting myself, going to all sorts of places, doing "All kinds of phones, to see where the next show is, how many people will come, to deal with the careerist side of my profession. I think I can do it differently."

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