Interview with Ivri Lider: the Israeli Singing-Sensation...And He's Out!

Ivri's got love for his country - but does the U.S. have love for him?

It’s very easy to just focus on Ivri Lider’s deep, breathy, “I love a boy named Jesse, but Jesse doesn’t love me back” and kind of forget about everything else...Yeah. It definitely is.

Anyway! This guy has a lot more going on. But even so, before you check out the interview, take a look at Ivri's “Jesse” video...

Ivri chats about his music, performing at U.S. gay bars and his relationships...after the jump!

So Ivri’s an Israeli musician and singer who’s pretty much a household name over there – he’s sold over 160,000 albums and Israeli national radio stations named Ivri Male Singer of the Year in 2005 after the release of his fourth album.

Recently, Ivri contributed to the soundtrack for (and appeared in) the 2006 film, The Bubble; he performs a song entitled, “The Man I Love.” Somewhat surprisingly, considering his mainstream popularity, Ivri is also openly gay (well not really surprisingly, based on his song titles). He famously came out in 2002 and has stayed at the top since then.

As far as taking the U.S. by storm goes, Ivri made a big step with Music With A Twist Records, the first major LGBT music label in America. Music With A Twist compiled songs for its album, Revolutions, from queer artists around America (and one from Israel!); the album came out in April of this year.

Your song “Jesse” is part of the Revolutions compilation album with Music With A Twist. How did that opportunity come up?

Actually we, totally by coincidence, saw this little, little - I can’t even call it an article - in a newspaper about this idea for starting Music with a Twist. And we just collected some songs and sent them and they just called back. They announced artists that are interested should send stuff, that they are looking for artists. And we said, sure why not. I sent them demos of some songs, and they called back and said they were interested in "Jesse." I re-recorded some stuff, mixed it here in Israel and sent it to them.

How do you feel about being the only foreign artist on Revolutions? Why do you think you were selected?

I feel honored, it’s nice. When I realized that’s the case, I was like, “Oh, thank you.” And I was very happy to be included in that album and that record company. And as far as why, I haven’t heard the rest of the stuff, so I don’t know.

You've toured in the U.S. How was that compared to concerts in Israel?

We had this great concert in New York at the Avalon, and it was really beautiful because it’s a beautiful place and it was packed. It felt like a good concert in Tel Aviv, so we were really, really happy. We were, not afraid, but a little unknown in that...we came in, not knowing how many people would show up. So at the end, the night of the concert, when we understood it was sold out and had this beautiful audience, we were very happy.

Do you have a solo album for US audiences in mind? What are your goals in the U.S.?

I’d love to turn that all into a whole album in English, for America and Europe. I have my career here and it’s going great, I have my five CDs. I don’t know when and where it will be released, but yeah, I would want to.

You did a coming out interview in 2002. From your point of view, did that help or hurt your career?

Before I did that, there were people around me in the business in the record companies who said, “Maybe you shouldn’t do that; you don’t know what it will do to your career,” because I was the first person to do that. But what I realized with myself...that I don’t care - that I need to do that, first of all, for myself as a human being and as an artist. I didn’t feel it could be any different, because that’s who I am, that’s what I write about. I didn’t want to limit myself. I felt kind of obligated to my audience and to people, because I wanted to be honest and to feel I could contribute something to my community. I’m really glad I did that.

My career only went to a better place since then. And I think that proves this whole fear about what the fans will think...is basically a little bull sh*t. I think people appreciate honesty and courage, and it makes you a more open and interesting person. And my audience, at least, likes it. When you have no secrets, you’re more free to talk and sing about anything and express yourself better. 

What do you think of singers in America, who may court a gay audience, but refuse to speak about their sexuality?

It’s an interesting discussion because, on one hand, an artist - he’s a person and he has his world and all kinds of things that could be hard for him, like maybe his family. But on the other hand, I feel that it’s a shame that more people do not do that. I think it’s good for them and good for our community and we need that. We need people, especially artists that people look up to. We need that.

I read that your family was supportive of your coming out, but at the same time you hid your sexuality for so long. Who were you hiding it from?

I’m sorry for that, but my life story is kind of off...because I think I knew I was gay when I was 10, but I didn’t do anything until I was 24. So the reason why, may have just been being shy. I wasn’t even hiding. I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t have any experience to help me be more confident. So when it finally did, it was all over and done with; it was obvious. I immediately understood - that’s my life and that’s who I am. Then I told my family and everything was great.

So you appear in Gal Uchovsky’s recent film, The Bubble, and you have a song on the soundtrack. How was being in the movie?

I was in the movie as a singer, who plays in this bar scene, playing this beautiful song, “The Man I Love,” and it was a long-time dream to sing that song. And I’m really happy I got the chance to participate in this beautiful movie that I really like. It was a nice experience; it was my first film experience.

So you would be interested in grabbing American audiences, would you ever consider moving to the U.S.?

Maybe. My boyfriend is from Tennessee, and right now he lives with me in Israel, and he moved here four months ago. You know, anything’s possible.

How did you meet your boyfriend?

We met in New York. I was coming back from Toronto, and my brother lives in New York, so I came to meet him and some friends and stuff. One night, I went out and met Mike, and that was the beginning of this relationship.

I heard you wrote one of you albums while on break from your eight-year relationship. Did being in a relationship make you forget about your music?

I think it’s something artists have to deal with...transitions in life and different periods. Good moments and times you feel whole and happy, but still be able to draw inspiration to write. I think you have a treasure of experiences you can come back to every time. Even when you have a good relationship, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have all sorts of things inside - things that make you happy, make you angry, make you satisfied and make you not satisfied. Even when you’re in a good relationship, that’s what relationships are all about – range of emotions. I think for an artist when you do have that range of emotions, then you’re flying. You have things to write songs about.

So what’s next for you?

Last week we finished a two-and-a-half year tour in Israel for my last album, and right now I’m producing another singer, the biggest Israeli diva called Rita. When that’s over, in like a month, I really want to take some time to work on my music in English and in Hebrew.

Read more about Music with a Twist here!

Comments

[Lauren]

Ivri's music rocks. All I know is what I've heard in Hebrew, but he's got a beautiful voice. I hope he's really successful in the U.S.

[Christine]

I absolutely love Ivri Lider's new video "Jesse", It's so beautiful and ahh, words can't describe. I was wondering who the actors in the video were? I tried looking for the answers online, but came up with nothing =/

[alan.]

oh, man...

ivri's version of "the man i love" is so poignant.
he truly does the gershwin's justice.

and the music video is just so emo...
i love it!

[Josh]

I recently came across Ivri Lider music, I must say I loved he's music. Even i don't understand what he's singing it sounds so beautiful he's in my top 10 in my I-pod. I would like to here from him more in the U.S...My favorite song is Old friends and Jesse!!! Some times I wish we had Logo here in Omaha,Ne.. Miss it alot!! Is he planning to do a ingles CD soon? I really hope so I'am a fan for now and ever!!! =)